Senior leaders from the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) will visit Bendigo this week, taking time to meet with local teachers and school leaders and hear firsthand about the experience of teaching in the region.

The visit by the VIT Council and Executive Leadership Team coincides with a scheduled Council meeting and includes visits to St Kilian’s Primary School, Dr Harry Little Kindergarten, Catherine McAuley College Bendigo, Holy Rosary White Hills and Doxa School Bendigo, reflecting the diversity of schools and learning environments across the Bendigo area.

VIT Council Chair and former Bendigo Senior Secondary College principal, Dale Pearce, said the visit underscored the importance of staying connected to educators and communities outside metropolitan Melbourne.

“Great teaching happens in every corner of Victoria,” Mr Pearce said.

“As a regulator, it’s vital that we listen to teachers and principals on the ground and understand the realities of their work, particularly in regional communities.”

Mr Pearce said visiting Bendigo allowed Council members to engage directly with schools, ensuring regional perspectives played a meaningful role in shaping the work of VIT and future directions.

Alongside school visits, Council members and the Executive Leadership Team will attend a dinner with local school leaders, providing an opportunity to hear firsthand from school leaders across the Bendigo region and build stronger professional connections.

VIT Council Deputy Chair and Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst, Kate Fogarty, said ongoing engagement with regional educators was central to supporting community confidence in the teaching profession.

“Spending time with teachers and principals in regional areas helps us better understand local challenges and opportunities,” Ms Fogarty said.

“These conversations help ensure our work supports high professional standards, ongoing development and strong public trust in teachers across Victoria.”

The Bendigo visit forms part of VIT’s broader commitment to engaging with educators and communities across the state and ensuring regional voices continue to inform the regulator’s work.