Moving The Furniture: VATE x ACMI Middle Years Conference (in-person)

The 2026 VATE x ACMI Middle Years Conference: Moving The Furniture explores how physical, instructional and intellectual spaces shape English learning in the middle years. It celebrates negotiating the curriculum to make room for student voice, advocates for teacher autonomy and centres the pedagogical artistry of English subject specialists. ‘Moving the furniture’ can mean more than shifting the desks. It denotes a shift in mindset. Rearranging the room – literally or metaphorically – invites teachers to reimagine how they teach, asks students to rethink how they learn, and allows us to think about what kind of places our classrooms could be.

Join us and keynote speaker, Professor Nicole Mockler, at ACMI Fed Square on Friday 22 May 2026.

Can’t make it in-person but don’t want to miss out? A selection of workshops and the opening keynote will be live streamed to make it easier to attend this event.

If financial barriers prevent you or your school from attending the Middle Years Conference, please email Kate Gillespie to discuss options. Reciprocal registration rates are available for interstate English teaching association members. If you would like to register for this event, please email events@vate.org.au.

Registrations close Wednesday 13 May unless booked out prior.

To register, you must be a 2026 VATE member.

ACMI

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be emailed to events@vate.org.au. Cancellations received by 12pm five working days prior to the event date will be charged a 15% cancellation fee. Cancellations received after this will receive NO REFUND. Registrations can, however, be transferred to another staff member. Please email events@vate.org.au the details. If you do not attend and have not notified VATE according to the above policy, you will receive no refund.  Please note: If this event is cancelled due to COVID government or venue restrictions, you will receive a full refund.

Catering and special diets (in-person events only)

Coeliac, vegan and other special diets (medical related) can be requested. Please email your special diet request to events@vate.org.au at least seven working days prior to the event. Please note: Approximately 50% of the catering will be vegetarian. You do not need to request this.