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CHES Newsletter
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Principal's Report 

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Dear CHES community members,

 

As we reflect on our first semester, let me congratulate all CHES students on their commitment, achievements and growth throughout the first half of the year. Together with our dedicated staff, university partners, and supportive parents, we are proud of the positive and purposeful learning environment we've established, where students across Victoria continue to thrive. 

 

I want to acknowledge the Class of 2026 for their maturity, organisation, and personal responsibility in balancing the demands of a VCE subject or Higher Education Study (HES) alongside their broader programs. Each week, our students demonstrate their commitment in balancing competing priorities, engaging with challenging learning, and making the most of the opportunities available to them through CHES. 

 

This semester, our VCE seminar days across Algorithmics, English Language, Extended Investigation, and Specialist Mathematics brought students from across Victoria together for immersive, interactive learning. This edition of the newsletter includes a spotlight on these days, which are designed to complement our weekly hy-flex live lessons, strengthen peer connections and enrich academic experiences. We were also delighted to welcome back alumni as volunteers, mentors, and presenters throughout the year, as they enrich our statewide community and provide inspiring role models for current students. 

 

We look forward to sharing more student and alumni stories throughout the year, particularly through our CHES social media channels:

 

https://www.instagram.com/ches.vic

 

https://www.facebook.com/CentreForHigherEducationStudies

 

Our students continue to excel academically while maintaining high levels of wellbeing and strengthening their confidence in pursuing future university study. As you may be aware, the 2025 graduates achieved an outstanding Higher Education Studies average study score equivalent of 40, and this reflects their commitment and excellence. Attendance and engagement remain exceptionally high - at our weekly online lessons as well as our in-person seminar days and enrichment masterclasses. We continue to support students with travel and homestay options, particularly for our rural students around Victoria. 

 

Our Higher Education Studies program has grown significantly this year, nearly 100 more than in 2025 - and this reflects the increasing interest in university-level study among high-ability students in Year 12. 

 

Our Year 10 enrichment electives have also doubled in participation, offering valuable opportunities to extend thinking, learn new knowledge and skills, and explore new interests in preparation for VCE and HES pathways. 

 

Looking ahead this term, we aim to commence refurbishments to create a larger, flexible teaching space on Level 1. This will support our increasing enrolments, particularly for afternoon live lessons and seminar days, while ensuring additional capacity for professional learning workshops and conferences for teachers across Victoria. This space will continue to support hy-flex participation for students both on-site and online.

 

We are also proud to support the new government-funded Year 9 and 10 Victorian Maths Camps, which extends opportunities for high-ability mathematics students statewide. 

 

Student leadership remains a central focus of our work, with over 25 individual leadership roles introduced this year to ensure student voice continues to guide our ongoing development as a centre of excellence for high-ability students. 

 

I am pleased to introduce our 2026 School Council members, whose expertise and perspectives continue to shape the future of CHES.  

 

CHES Council 2026 Members

 

Executive Officer of Council

  • Stewart Milner, CHES Principal

 

Staff Representative

  • James Thorn

 

Student Representatives

  • Nidhi B
  • Christian A

 

Parent Representatives

  • Caitlin Dinning (CHES Council President)
  • Ramesh Melam
  • Jon Weaver (CHES Treasurer)

 

University Representatives

  • Vera Gin, Swinburne University
  • Emmaline Bexley, La Trobe University
  • Rosie Mackay, Monash University

 

CHES Network Principal Representatives

  • Andrea Thompson
  • James Taylor
  • Sue Harrap
  • Tamy Stubley
  • Tony Mordini

 

To all CHES students, as we head into semester two, I encourage you to continue striving for excellence, engaging fully with your studies with us, and supporting each other.

 

For our Year 11 students, this is an important time to consider your study options for 2027. Applications are now open for next year’s CHES programs, including new VCE subjects – Classical Studies and Philosophy – and a record number of 38 Higher Education Studies. If you are considering undertaking an additional subject next year, please get in touch with us - we are very happy to answer questions and help you explore your options.

 

Year 12 students, as some of the most experienced members of our community, are also encouraged to share their CHES journey with peers at school who might benefit from taking up a CHES subject as part of their VCE program next year. 

 

Applications for a 2027 Higher Education Study or additional VCE subject can be made here: CHES application form.

 

We look forward to a really productive and successful semester ahead.

 

Stewart Milner

Principal CHES