VAGTC

The Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series (VCES) provides funded extension activities for high-ability students in Victorian government schools from Prep to Year 12. Activities are offered face-to-face and virtually, and can include masterclasses, workshops, and tutorials. The Department is currently partnering with 28 expert education and not-for-profit organisations, universities, Tech Schools, teacher associations, and science and mathematics specialist centres to deliver activities within the series.

Arc

To all

This is your reminder to book now for the Seminar below if you are a not a VAGTC Member.

For Gifted Awareness Week Australia if you book between 18-24 May Registration will be FREE.

BOOK NOW details below.

ILP/ IEP/ PLPs- Individual learning plan/ Individual educational plan/ Personal learning plan
Thursday 28 May 2026
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Online

What is an ILP/IEP/PLP?
Which gifted students require one?
What does a gifted ILP/PLP look like?
What does an ILP seek to achieve?
How does the psychologist’s report (if you have one) inform the ILP?

What does success look like?

These are a few of the questions that will be explored as we look at models for developing ILPs and some sample ILPs that identify interventions for an individual learner’s needs. There will be time for Q&A during the session.

For Non Members that sign up during Gifted Awareness Week (GAW) - Monday 18th - Friday 24th May the event is free.
VAGTC Members free

To register for these seminars please go via our website and click book now

ILP/ IEP/ PLPs- Individual learning plan/ Individual educational plan/ Personal learning plan - Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children These are a few of the questions that will be explored as we look at models for developing ILPs and some sample ILPs that identify interventions for an individual learner’s needs. There will be time for Q&A during the session.

GERRIC’s Mini-COGE courses provide practical professional development for educators working with high-potential and gifted students.

The Mini-COGE will help teachers to identify gifted, high-potential, and talented students, differentiate curriculum to meet the needs of high-potential learners, implement effective ability grouping or acceleration practices, understand current research and best practice in gifted education; and design or refine a unit of work tailored to the needs of a differentiated classroom.

This course can be completed online or in person. For further information:

Mini-COGE | Education - UNSW Sydney Learn about GERRIC’s Mini-COGE at UNSW School of Education. Our courses enhance your differentiation skills and ability to cater to gifted learners.

In honour of Gifted Awareness Week 2026, the committee will be hosting a Reading group discussion on Thursday the 21st of May, from 7:00-8:00pm.

This is free.

The article under consideration is ‘Giftedness: Is there a Case for Neurodivergence?!’ by M. Wellisch, which can be found in the latest issue of the Australasian Journal of Gifted Education (vol.35 No.1, June 2026). Wellisch argues that giftedness is not a neurodivergence. She discusses the historical trends towards associating giftedness with mental illness, social and emotional problems, overexcitabilities and neurodivergence, identifying key theories that have contributed to this trend. Then she shares research (including statistics) revealing that gifted primary students are typically more popular than their peers, and the number of gifted students with ASD or ADHD or SLD is actually very low compared to their peers. She also discusses the political movement around neurodiversity that has arisen out of disadvantage and prejudice and explores brain differences. Her conclusion is that ‘a close look at Doyle’s (2020) neurodiversity model reveals why giftedness is a bad fit: it includes only those who have clinical or acquired illnesses, mental and behavioural conditions, or learning disabilities.’ (p.36).

It is bound to generate some really interesting discussion; we hope you can join us! Tickets are available on our website. You will receive a copy of the article a few days before this event.

The event is Free.

Click on the link below to view further information and register your spot

Gifted Awareness Week Reading Group Discussion - Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children The article under consideration is ‘Giftedness: Is there a Case for Neurodivergence?!’ by M. Wellisch, which can be found in the latest issue of the Australasian Journal of Gifted Education (vol.35 No.1, June 2026). Wellisch argues that giftedness is not a neurodivergence.

Gifted Awareness Week 2026

Gifted Awareness Week was founded in 2015 by the Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT) to raise awareness of the identification, support, learning and wellbeing needs of gifted children, and to celebrate the dedication of individuals and educational bodies who are making a positive difference in the lives of gifted children and their families.
Gifted Awareness Week theme for 2026 is Varied Voices, Shared Future

Gifted Awareness Week | AAEGT Gifted Awareness Week was founded in 2015 by the Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT) to raise awareness of the identification, support and learning needs of gifted children and to celebrate the dedication of individuals and educational bodies who are making a....

To all

We have added a new seminar for Term 2 see details below.

ILP/ IEP/ PLPs- Individual learning plan/ Individual educational plan/ Personal learning plan
Thursday 28 May 2026
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Online

What is an ILP/IEP/PLP?
Which gifted students require one?
What does a gifted ILP/PLP look like?
What does an ILP seek to achieve?
How does the psychologist’s report (if you have one) inform the ILP?

What does success look like?

These are a few of the questions that will be explored as we look at models for developing ILPs and some sample ILPs that identify interventions for an individual learner’s needs. There will be time for Q&A during the session.

Non Members $20
However for Non Members that sign up during Gifted Awareness Week (GAW) - Monday 18th - Friday 24th May the event is free.
VAGTC Members free

To register for these seminars please go via our website and click book now

Seminars & Events - Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children In 2026 we aim to provide 2 Parent Seminars and 1 Educator Seminar per term.

To all

See below VAGTC Seminar offerings in Term 1:

Choosing a good fit school and what’s possible in schools?
Tuesday 17 February, 2026
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Online

How do I decide which school will be best for my child? What research do I need to do? What information can schools provide? What questions should I ask?
This seminar will give you some places to start in your quest to find a good fit school for your gifted child, and practical suggestions and ideas for WHAT to advocate for at your school - what types of provisions schools could and do make for gifted children, regardless of the sector of education your child’s school is enrolled in from the classroom to external activities. It will also provide you with advice on HOW to advocate.

Communicating effectively with your school
Thursday 12 March, 2026
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Online

It can be challenging navigating the complexities of making sure your gifted child has access to appropriate schooling and educational provisions. This seminar will give you practical tips and advice for proactively building positive relationships with the staff at your child’s school, as well as effective communication strategies for handling difficult situations. We will also discuss the importance of documenting dialogue with the school in the form of keeping records of important discussions and decisions.

To register for these seminars please go via our website and click book now

Seminars & Events - Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children Each year we provide 3 to 4 Free Parent Seminars and 1 Educator Seminar per Term.

The VAGTC team have been hard at work planning for a fantastic series of offerings in 2026! Stay tuned!

To all our ,
We are now 1 week into Term 4 2025 and that means VAGTC are adding new seminars and events.

One of our seminars is coming up this Tuesday details below.
We look forward to seeing you online !

For more information go to: https://vagtc.org.au/seminars-events/

Upcoming free seminars and events - Don't miss out!

Tuesday 14 October, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Underachievement, Disengagement and School refusal.
Panel event highlighting the voice of gifted.
Raising a gifted child is exciting, but it can also come with unexpected challenges. Sometimes gifted children lose motivation, become reluctant to go to school, or struggle to show their true abilities. In this relaxed and practical seminar, we’ll look at why this happens and share simple, effective ways you can support your child to stay engaged, feel confident, and reach their potential. Come along to connect with other parents and take away ideas you can start using straight away at home and in partnership with your child’s school.
Bookings via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DGAFX

Tuesday 11 November, 7:00pm
AGM - VAGTC Annual General Meeting

Hear about the work of VAGTC this year from President Kathy Harrison and ask any questions about this year’s reports. This is an informal opportunity to talk about gifted ed with other parents and educators after the formal meeting. There will be a brief presentation from committee members Amy Horneman and Susan Nikakis on their learnings and illuminations from the World gifted conference in Braga last term. All reports will be available online on our website prior to the meeting.
Bookings via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DGNJO

Tuesday 28 October, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Educator Reading Meeting - highlights from the World Gifted Conference
Susan and Amy will present highlights from the World Gifted Conference.
Bookings via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DGNJV


Tuesday 28 October, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Parent Seminar - Thriving Through Transitions
Acknowledging that change, particularly within educational contexts, can be challenging for students and their parents, we will focus on strategies for positive schooling transitions, such as: preschool to school, primary to secondary, acceleration (full grade skips), starting senior secondary, leaving school and changing schools.
Bookings via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DGNJT

Tuesday 25 November, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Parent Seminar - Alternative Pathways for Gifted Learners
What happens when the traditional school environment doesn’t meet the needs of your gifted child? This seminar will explore alternative educational options for families seeking a better fit. Join us as we discuss the practicalities, benefits, and challenges of home schooling, online learning, and other flexible pathways designed to support gifted students’ academic and emotional wellbeing. Parents will gain insights from lived experiences, along with guidance on how to make informed decisions that prioritise both learning and balance.

Whether you’re just starting to explore alternatives or already considering a change, this session will provide guidance, reassurance, and connection with others on a similar journey.
Bookings via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DGNJW

Seminars & Events - Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children Each year we provide 3 to 4 Free Parent Seminars and 1 Educator Seminar per Term.

VAGTC Term 3 Parent Seminar Added!

PARENT SEMINAR
ONLINE: Underachievement Disengagement and School refusal
Tuesday 14th October, 7:30 - 9:00pm
Underachievement Disengagement and School refusal

Raising a gifted child is exciting, but it can also come with unexpected challenges. Sometimes gifted children lose motivation, become reluctant to go to school, or struggle to show their true abilities. In this relaxed and practical seminar, we’ll look at why this happens and share simple, effective ways you can support your child to stay engaged, feel confident, and reach their potential. Come along to connect with other parents and take away ideas you can start using straight away at home and in partnership with your child’s school.

Register now via TryBooking:

Seminar Underachievement, Disengagement and School refusal Parent Seminar: Underachievement, Disengagement and School refusal 14th (Tuesday) of October 7.30pm Raising a gifted child is exciting, but it...