Professional Learning
Our High-Ability Classrooms: Empowering Students to Excellence
Delivered in partnership with Deakin University, our Primary and Secondary workshops provided educators with practical strategies for identifying and supporting high-ability learners in Victorian classrooms. Participants explored effective curriculum, pedagogical and environmental approaches, considered the needs of twice-exceptional learners, and examined evidence-based practices aligned with VTLM 2.0. Teachers also developed action plans to strengthen challenge and engagement within their own school contexts, while connecting with colleagues committed to excellence in high-ability education.
High Ability Practice Leader (HAPL) Orientation Workshop
The HAPL Orientation Workshop brought together new and returning High Ability Practice Leaders from across Victoria to strengthen their understanding of the Student Excellence Program and their leadership role within schools. Through a hy-flex model, participants explored practical approaches for identifying high-ability learners, supporting colleagues to adjust learning for challenge and enrichment, and connecting classroom practice with wider system supports and opportunities. The workshop fostered rich professional conversations and enabled participants to leave with greater confidence, clarity and actionable next steps.
Teachers also highlighted the importance of professional connection. One participant reflected that the workshops helped them “connect with like‑minded colleagues, brainstorm together, and share ideas and experiences,” reinforcing the role of professional learning in reducing isolation while building collective capability.
Planning for Challenge: Enrichment in the P–12 Classroom Webinar
Our Planning for Challenge: Enrichment in the P–12 Classroom webinar helped educators explore how enrichment can be a powerful tool for challenge, engagement and equity for high-ability learners. Led by Sapphira Talbot-Strettle and Amy Lee, the session examined what effective enrichment looks like in practice, how it differs from acceleration and extension, and how schools can embed meaningful enrichment opportunities into curriculum planning and classroom practice. Teachers left with practical strategies to support student voice, higher-order thinking and authentic challenge across Foundation to Year 12.
Supporting All Learners in our Primary Maths Classrooms Webinar
Led by James Dobson, this webinar explored how teachers can effectively cater for all learners in primary mathematics, including high-ability students. Participants examined the importance of responsive teaching, retrieval practice and checking for understanding, while considering how challenge can be provided through depth, reasoning and mathematical thinking rather than simply accelerating content. The session introduced practical approaches that support all students to be both challenged and successful within the same classroom environment.
Outreach
In the final week of Term 2, members of the CHES team travelled to Shepparton to collaborate with Greater Shepparton Secondary College and the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Learning as part of the Shepparton Education Plan.
On Monday, CHES staff worked directly with Greater Shepparton Secondary College, delivering a workshop for the school’s Year 9 High Abilities class and partnering with staff who support high-ability learners in Years 7–9. The visit provided an opportunity to share strategies and strengthen approaches to identifying, engaging, and extending high-ability students.
The following day, CHES staff Amy Lee and Sam Haines facilitated a full-day professional learning workshop for High Ability Practice Leaders (HAPLs) from schools across the region. The workshop focused on identifying high-ability students, providing appropriate challenge and extension in the classroom, and embedding enrichment opportunities within school programs. A strong emphasis was also placed on networking and building professional connections to share effective practice. Feedback from participants highlighted the value of the day, with one attendee noting that they “really benefited from hearing about what others are doing and considering doing.”
This partnership work reflects CHES’s ongoing commitment to supporting educators and schools across Victoria to strengthen outcomes and opportunities for high-ability learners.
