CH Expo

High-Achieving Students Explore Future Pathways at 2025 CHES Expo

On Friday, 30 May 2025, a group of Year 10 and 11 students had the exciting opportunity to attend the 2025 CHES Expo at the Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES) in South Yarra. This state-wide event brought together high-ability students from government schools across Victoria, offering a day filled with inspiration, exploration, and connection.

The Expo was designed to extend and deepen students’ learning while helping them chart a course toward university. With over 600 students currently participating in CHES programs, the Expo served as a gateway for future participants to discover what lies ahead.

The day began with a warm welcome and an engaging keynote presentation by Professor Eva Kyndt from Swinburne University, a globally recognized expert in human resource development. Her insights into the future of work and university pathways set the tone for a day of discovery.

Students then rotated through interactive sessions, including:

• University stalls hosted by representatives from Melbourne, Monash, ACU, Deakin, Federation, La Trobe, RMIT, Swinburne, and Victoria universities.

• Workshops and competitions that encouraged collaboration and critical thinking.

• Panel discussions featuring former CHES students who shared their experiences and advice on navigating VCE and university life.

One of the most exciting aspects of the CHES Expo is the opportunity it presents for students to gain early access to university-level studies. Through CHES’s exclusive partnerships with major Victorian universities, high-achieving Year 12 students can enrol in first-year university subjects while still in secondary school. This unique offering allows students to accelerate their learning, gain valuable university experience, and get a head start on their tertiary education journey.

Participants also had the chance to explore CHES’s unique subject offerings, including VCE Algorithmics, Extended Investigation, English Language, and Specialist Mathematics, as well as Year 10 electives like Research Matters and Critical Thinking for Creative Minds.

The event was not only informative but also empowering, giving students the tools and confidence to make informed decisions about their academic futures. With no cost to attend (excluding travel), the CHES Expo proved to be an invaluable experience for all involved.

As one student put it, “It was inspiring to meet people who are passionate about learning and to see the possibilities that lie ahead.”