In 2026 we aim to provide 2 Parent Seminars and 1 Educator Seminar per term.
The parent seminars are developed with the same approach as the educator seminars with a focus on best practices for advocating and working alongside schools and teachers.
Parent-carer initiatives provide a space for parents and families to come together to share their experiences and learn from others. These may include seminars and workshops on topics such as developmental milestones, educational options, best practices in developing strong school-family relationships, assessments and career counseling.
Using research-based recommendations, the parent seminars aim to connect parents with their children and their children’s teachers, serving to not only strengthen community engagement but to also help build parental confidence in schools.
The seminars provide both a platform for parents to gain essential resources to support their parenting journeys and act as a forum in which individual parents can connect with other parents in similar situations to share their stories in a safe and supportive environment.
These seminars aim to set high standards for teachers and students and employ evidence-based strategies to support gifted and talented students.
The educator seminars on identification are relevant to all educators of kindergarten to Year 12 learners, including pre-service teachers, casual relief teachers, and early childhood professionals.
The VAGTC teacher seminars are aligned to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) and meet the requirements under the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). All registered participants who complete the seminar will receive a VAGTC Certificate of Attendance, citing the relevant standards addressed under the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
For educators, professional development seminars and workshops range from the identification of high capacity students to understanding and working with assessments. Through our seminars, educators will learn how to interpret educational psychologist reports, and develop individualized learning plans, as well as working with families to support gifted children and young people’s education.
For example, identification for students who are gifted and talented includes identification of underachievers, EAL and culturally diverse students, as well as students with high capacity but present with learning challenges.
VAGTC also offers Tailored Seminars for Schools, Parent Consultations, and Mentoring for High-Ability Leaders.
THIS SEMINAR IS FOR EDUCATORS
Presenters: Claire Reid and Dr. Susan Niakais
What do I need to know if I'm starting out as a new gifted education practitioner? What about if I'm a graduate teacher? Or simply new to the idea of giftedness in my classroom?
This workshop will provide a forum for discussion as well as practical advice for provision for gifted learners in schools.
Please bring your questions as well as your own stories and top tips to share!
Cost:
$50 (Non-Members)
Free for VAGTC Members
The session will be run via Zoom (link to be provided after registration).
Please note that this seminar will run subject to minimum registration numbers.
Unfortunately the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) is no longer funding VAGTC, and as a result we now have to charge a nominal fee for our seminars to cover costs. If the cost of attending is prohibitive to you, please contact us to discuss a subsidised rate: info@vagtc.org.au Yearly VAGTC membership will enable you to attend all seminars for free, amongst many other perks; pop over to our membership page for more information.
Cost for Non Members $20.00
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.
Unfortunately the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) is no longer funding VAGTC, and as a result we now have to charge a nominal fee for our seminars to cover costs. If the cost of attending is prohibitive to you, please contact us to discuss a subsidised rate: info@vagtc.org.au Yearly VAGTC membership will enable you to attend all seminars for free, amongst many other perks; pop over to our membership page for more information.
Cost for Non Members $20.00
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.
Educator Reading Meeting - highlights from the World Gifted Conference
Susan and Amy will present highlights from the World Gifted Conference
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.
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.
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.
Download VAGTC 2025 AGM Report here
Download 2025-20256 VAGTC Committee Nominations here
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These seminars aim to set high standards for teachers and students and employ evidence-based strategies to support gifted and talented students.
The educator seminars on identification are relevant to all educators of kindergarten to Year 12 learners, including pre-service teachers, casual relief teachers, and early childhood professionals.
The VAGTC teacher seminars are aligned to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) and meet the requirements under the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). All registered participants who complete the seminar will receive a VAGTC Certificate of Attendance, citing the relevant standards addressed under the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
For educators, professional development seminars and workshops range from the identification of high capacity students to understanding and working with assessments. Through our seminars, educators will learn how to interpret educational psychologist reports, and develop individualized learning plans, as well as working with families to support gifted children and young people’s education.
For example, identification for students who are gifted and talented includes identification of underachievers, EAL and culturally diverse students, as well as students with high capacity but present with learning challenges.
As part of the VAGTC Membership, You are eligible for Free Membership at the Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT). To Receive this, you agree to pass on to them my email address, contact number, and postal address.
