TLI and High Ability @HEPS
Victorian Education Excellence Award – High-Ability Students
As you may have read earlier in our newsletter, our school was acknowledged and awarded Outstanding Provision for High-Ability Students for our work in this space. Such an honour and wonderful recognition for all the dedication and drive in this area of education. A congratulations to all the staff at Heathmont East for their hard work with this area of teaching.
Free Parent Seminar
Alternative Pathways for Gifted Learners
November 25, 2025
Time - 19:30 -21:00
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.
Book here - https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1485428
Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented
The Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT) is a national organisation committed to furthering the education and wellbeing of gifted students.
What is gifted? Are talented and gifted the same thing? How can I tell if someone I know may be? You may be intrgued to what this actually means or even looks like.
Characteristics of gifted children
Gifted children are often recognised by their natural abilities, characteristics and quick learning that are quite different to other children of the same age. Some of these characteristics may include:
- strong sense of curiosity
- reading before school age
- advanced reading ability and comprehension
- understanding subject content beyond their age peers
- ability to manipulate numbers from an early age
- fewer repetitions needed for mastery
- greater capability in abstract reasoning
- knowledgeable in areas of passion
- thrives on complexity and can see many points of view
- mature sense of humour
- acutely aware of social justice issues
Giftedness testing and levels of giftedness
As stated on the AAEGT website, identification of giftedness can help schools and parents determine their child’s academic and social emotional needs.
Educators in the field of gifted education recommend multiple assessment strategies be used in the classroom to determine giftedness. However formal identification showing levels of giftedness, can only be administered by a registered professional.
These can include school psychologists and private educational and clinical psychologists.
That's why at HEPS, we have engaged Mensa to help us in this space. Their formal testing process allows us to identify students and therefore, help us to deliver rich and tailored learning for these students.