Advertise on podcast: Victorian Parents Council - Parent Podcast Series

Hear about all of our events and news coming up for the rest of 2026 in this short 3.5minute snippet from the Victorian Parents Council October 2026 E-News. https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/news

The State of AI: What Every Family Should Know Right Now Where is AI actually up to in 2026, and what does it mean for your family? A plain language tour of what these tools can and cannot do, how young people are really using them, and what has changed this year. No jargon, no hype, and plenty of time for questions. Your presenter Matthew Esterman is the founder of The Next Word and co-founder of Educator Intelligence. A history teacher for nearly two decades and former Director of Innovation and Partnerships, he now helps schools across Australia take confident, safe and human centred next steps with AI. His motto: start human, use AI, stay human. To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please complete our 90 Seconds Survey for this #VPCLive Event at bit.ly/survey90vpc ~About the VPC~   Building Informed Confident Parents Celebrating 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria.  In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation. VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally – an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au  On-Demand video presentations of our podcasts are available on request - for a small fee - to cover our running costs. If you can’t see the episode you want over at https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/events/ - then please email [email protected] and we will send you an on-demand copy of the episode.

From Controller to Classroom: How Gaming Can Build Real-World Skills Presenter: Beth Ware, Occupational Therapist from Tiny Steps Therapy Gaming is often seen as entertainment, but when used intentionally, it can become a powerful tool for learning and development. This session explores how gaming can be used as a purposeful occupational therapy intervention to help children build the foundational skills needed for success in the classroom and beyond. Discover how carefully selected games can support the development of hand strength, fine motor coordination, visual processing, attention, persistence, problem-solving, planning, and the ability to follow multi-step instructions. Learn how these skills translate into everyday classroom tasks such as handwriting, organisation, completing assignments, participating in group activities, and managing challenges independently. Parents, educators, and allied health professionals will gain practical insights into using gaming in a balanced, purposeful way to support children's growth, engagement, and learning outcomes. Key takeaways: Understand the connection between gaming and skill development.Explore the occupational therapy principles behind purposeful gaming.Learn which foundational skills can be strengthened through gaming.Discover strategies for using games to support classroom readiness and participation.Gain practical ideas that can be applied at home, in therapy, and in educational settings. ©  #VPCLive Event Production & Template Copyright VPC 2026 The materials presented throughout this entire event are copyrighted to their respective owners with all rights reserved. To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please complete our 90 Seconds Survey for this #VPCLive Event at bit.ly/survey89vpc  ~About the VPC~  Building Informed Confident Parents Celebrating 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria.  In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation. VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally – an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au  On-Demand video presentations of our podcasts are available on request - for a small fee - to cover our running costs. If you can’t see the episode you want over at https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/events/ - then please email [email protected] and we will send you an on-demand copy of the episode.

To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience.   Please fill out our 90 second survey at  http://bit.ly/survey88vpc  This #VPCLive Episode 88 event was recorded on Wednesday 18 August 2026. Delivered by the Department of Education and the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority.

To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience.   Please fill out our 90 second survey at  http://bit.ly/survey87vpc   This #VPCLive Episode 87 event was recorded on Tuesday 17 August 2026. Delivered by the Department of Education and the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority.

Ep86 #VPCLive Event - Dancing in the Kitchen: Music & Play for Calmer School Mornings with Julie Murray - Sounds Like To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please complete our 90 Seconds Survey for this #VPCLive Event at bit.ly/survey86vpc  Make School Mornings Calmer and More Connected!  Do your school mornings feel like a whirlwind of stress, resistance, or chaos? What if you could transform them into moments of calm, connection, and even joy? Join us for a recording of this practical on-demand webinar with Julie Murray from Sounds Like This to discover how music and play can turn tricky transitions — like getting out the door or saying goodbye — into smoother, happier experiences.   Recorded Date: Thursday, 18 June 2026 What You’ll Learn:  How to replace morning meltdowns with calm collaboration.Insights into your child’s behaviour through the lens of the nervous system.Simple, playful strategies (no musical talent required!) to create smoother, more joyful mornings. This session is perfect for parents and carers who want to turn morning chaos into connection and teamwork. Also fantastic for educators! ~About the VPC~  * Building Informed Confident Parents  * Celebrating More Than 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation  Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria. In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation.  VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally - an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au  On-Demand video presentations of our podcasts are available on request - for a small fee - to cover our running costs. If you can’t see the episode you want over at https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/events/ - then please email [email protected]

To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please complete our 90 Seconds Survey for this #VPCLive Event at bit.ly/survey85vpc ~About the VPC~  * Building Informed Confident Parents  * Celebrating More Than 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation  Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria. In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation.  VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally – an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au  On-Demand video presentations of our podcasts are available on request - for a small fee - to cover our running costs. If you can’t see the episode you want over at https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/events/ - then please email [email protected] and we will send you an on-demand copy of the episode.

To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please complete our 90 Seconds Survey for this #VPCLive Event at bit.ly/survey82vpc ~About the VPC~  * Building Informed Confident Parents  * Celebrating More Than 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation  Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria. In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation.  VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally – an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au  On-Demand video presentations of our podcasts are available on request - for a small fee - to cover our running costs. If you can’t see the episode you want over at https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/events/ - then please email [email protected] and we will send you an on-demand copy of the episode.

To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please complete our 90 Seconds Survey for this #VPCLive Event at bit.ly/survey84vpc ~About the VPC~  * Building Informed Confident Parents  * Celebrating More Than 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation  Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria. In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation.  VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally – an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au  On-Demand video presentations of our podcasts are available on request - for a small fee - to cover our running costs. If you can’t see the episode you want over at https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/events/ - then please email [email protected] and we will send you an on-demand copy of the episode.

To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please complete our 90 Seconds Survey for this #VPCLive Event at bit.ly/survey83vpc ~About the VPC~  * Building Informed Confident Parents  * Celebrating 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria.  In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation. VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally – an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au  Please contact the [email protected] for the on-demand video version of this podcast.

To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please complete our 90 Seconds Survey for this VPC Podcast at bit.ly/survey81vpc Join A/Prof Matt Harrison from Melbourne University on the first of the Healthy Gaming Series, titled 'Creating Healthy Gaming Habits'. Recorded 15 May 2025. The second webinar in the series 'Press B to Belong - Inclusive Gaming Groups in Schools' will be released after the live event on 12 June 2025. We are excited to announce our upcoming webinar titled "Press B to Belong," This session will explore the significant role that inclusive gaming groups play in fostering social connections among students, especially those who are neurodivergent, including autistic students and those with ADHD. Associate Professor Matthew Harrison (he/him) is an experienced teacher, researcher and digital creator who is an advocate for utilising technology to support social capacity building, belonging and inclusion in education. He has taught in Australia, South Korea and the United Kingdom at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Matthew is currently a member of the University of Melbourne Faculty of Education Learning Intervention team, a project lead at the University of Melbourne Neurodiversity Project and co-founder of Next Level Collaboration, the first neurodivergent-led social enterprise to spin out of the University of Melbourne. He was awarded the Dyason Fellowship in 2020, and the GEM Scott Teaching Fellowship and the International Society for Technology in Education 'Making IT Happen' award in 2023. Press B to Belong: Using Esports to Promote Inclusive School Communities by Matthew Harrison, Jess Rowlings and Daniel Aivaliotis-Martinez Using Video Games to Level Up Collaboration for Students: A Fun, Practical Way to Support Social-emotional Skills Development by Matthew Harrison ~About the VPC~  Building Informed Confident Parents Celebrating More Than 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation  Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria. In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation.  VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally – an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au

To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please complete our 90 Seconds Survey for this VPC Podcast at bit.ly/survey80vpc ~About the VPC~  * Building Informed Confident Parents  * Celebrating More Than 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation  Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria. In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation.  VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally – an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au  On-Demand video presentations of our podcasts are available on request - for a small fee - to cover our running costs. If you can’t see the episode you want over at https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/events/ - then please email [email protected] and we will send you an on-demand copy of the episode.

To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please complete our 90 Seconds Survey for this #VPCLive Event at bit.ly/survey78vpc ARE YOU CONSIDERING HOME EDUCATION? - Are you looking at options, and considering Home Education? - Do you want to know more about Home Education? - Could Home Education work for your family? Join the VPC with an introduction to a Home Education with Pavlina McMaster, Home Education Network Coordinator Extensive Q&A session at end. Whether you're considering home education as an alternative or seeking strategies to support your child through school refusal, this webinar is the perfect starting point. Pavlina will share invaluable insights and practical tips, empowering you to navigate the world of home education with confidence. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded parents and discover new pathways for your child's learning journey! HEN is a not for profit, fully volunteer run organisation, which has been supporting home educating families for forty years. They provide information and support for families at every stage of their home education journey. For more information visit their website: www.home-ed.vic.edu.au  ~About the VPC~  * Building Informed Confident Parents  * Celebrating 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria.  In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation. VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally – an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au  On-Demand video presentations of our podcasts are available on request - for a small fee - to cover our running costs. If you can’t see the episode you want over at https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/events/ - then please email [email protected] and we will send you an on-demand copy of the episode.

To make it possible to bring you so many great events, our funding requires us to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please complete our 90 Seconds Survey for this #VPCLive Event at bit.ly/survey77vpc Best selling author Evelyn M Field, international expert in addressing school and workplace bullying. Evelyn will share valuable strategies to enhance social survival skills among students.   Evelyn's dedication to combating bullying was recognised in 2014 when she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).   Her approach combines factual insights with practical strategies, ensuring that participants leave with actionable ideas to implement immediately. ~About the VPC~  Building Informed Confident Parents  Celebrating More Than 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation  Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria. In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation.  VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally – an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au  On-Demand video presentations of our podcasts are available on request - for a small fee - to cover our running costs. If you can’t see the episode you want over at https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/events/ - then please email [email protected] and we will send you an on-demand copy of the episode.

School Refusal, School Avoidance, School Can't RE-ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION Our panel of speakers discuss a variety of pathways the provide options for students who are experiencing challenges engaging in education. Recorded 6 August 2024. ~About the VPC~ * Building Informed Confident Parents * Celebrating More Than 65 Years Of Service as a non-profit organisation Established in 1959, VPC was originally known as the Parents and Friends Federation of Victoria. The parents of Catholic school children decided to act to empower school-going children and their parents and created what is now called VPC. We have come a long way and are now the most vibrant online community for parents of school aged children in Victoria. In 2024 VPC celebrated 65 Years of Service as a non-profit organisation. VPC is a registered charity dedicated to everyone who supports Parents educating children. Being online has expanded our service to accommodate parents in Victoria, Australia and even globally – an exciting change, congratulations and thank you for expanding our ability to serve. https://www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au On-Demand video presentations of our podcasts are available on request - for a small fee - to cover our running costs. If you can’t see the episode you want over at https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/events/ - then please email [email protected] and we will send you a link to purchase an on-demand copy of the episode, or you can become a member of VPC to receive all of our resources.