High Abilities

ELEVATE Learning Pathway

Creating the Community of Tomorrow

At Cobram Secondary College, the ELEVATE Learning Pathway supports students in Years 7–10 who demonstrate strong intellectual curiosity, maturity, and excellent learning habits.

ELEVATE is our High Abilities Program, designed to challenge students, expand their thinking, and provide opportunities to explore advanced learning and future pathways.

Through a combination of Victorian Department of Education programs, in-school exchanges, camps, excursions, leadership opportunities and scholarship pathways, students are encouraged to extend their learning and explore their potential.

The pathway recognises that high-potential learners thrive when they are given opportunities to:

• explore complex ideas
• collaborate with like-minded peers
• take academic risks
• experience learning beyond the classroom

ELEVATE helps students build confidence, ambition, and readiness for future opportunities.

Year 7 — ELEVATE Foundations

Year 7 students begin their ELEVATE journey by developing strong learning habits and confidence in tackling challenging work.

Students participate in the Victorian High Abilities Program (VHAP), delivered through Virtual School Victoria. VHAP provides ten-week online extension courses in English and Mathematics, allowing students to explore complex concepts and work with other high-ability learners across the state.

Students may also participate in:

• enrichment excursions
• academic extension activities
• the High Abilities Camp to Melbourne

These experiences encourage students to develop curiosity, resilience and confidence in their learning.

Year 8 — ELEVATE Exchange

In Year 8, students begin experiencing advanced learning through the ELEVATE Exchange Program.

Selected students participate in short-term exchanges with Year 11 classes, typically in 2–4 week blocks, where they experience senior subject learning while remaining connected to their Year 8 program.

Students may also participate in:

• High Abilities Camp
• regional university excursions
• leadership development opportunities

These experiences help students extend themselves academically and explore possible future subject interests.

Year 9 — ELEVATE Horizons

Year 9 students continue to expand their learning through advanced opportunities and enrichment experiences.

Students may participate in:

• further senior class exchanges
• regional university visits
• camps and excursions
• Leadership development opportunities

These experiences encourage students to broaden their academic interests and begin considering future pathways and careers.

Year 10 — ELEVATE Pathways

In Year 10 the program becomes increasingly future-focused, helping students prepare for senior studies and tertiary pathways.’
Students may access:

• fast-tracked VCE opportunities
• John Monash Science School Regional Science Exchange
• The Science Experience programs
• leadership and enrichment programs
  Students are also supported to explore a range of scholarship opportunities, including:
• ABCN Accelerate Scholarship
• Young Australia League Scholarships
• Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship
• Public Education Foundation Scholarships

These experiences help students connect their strengths and interests with future tertiary study and career possibilities.

Signature Experiences

High Abilities Camp

Selected Year 7–8 students travel to Melbourne to visit universities including Monash University and participate in extension programs at Swinburne University’s KIOSC facility, exploring real-world global challenges such as water sustainability.

Regional University Excursions

Year 8–9 students visit regional university campuses such as:

• Charles Sturt University (Albury)
• La Trobe University (Wodonga / Bendigo)
• University of Melbourne regional campuses

These visits help students see that university pathways are achievable and accessible.

Student Selection

Students invited to participate in ELEVATE typically demonstrate:

• strong work habits
• high levels of curiosity and motivation
• strong performance in PAT-R or PAT-N assessments
• teacher recommendation
• readiness for academic challenge

However, the program also recognises that potential can present in many different ways, and teacher judgement is an important part of identifying students who would benefit.

The Purpose of ELEVATE

The ELEVATE Learning Pathway aims to:

• stretch students’ thinking
• develop confidence and independence
• expose students to advanced opportunities
• encourage ambition and aspiration
• help students explore future pathways

By providing these opportunities early, we support students to recognise their potential and pursue their goals.

ELEVATE your thinking
ELEVATE your opportunities
ELEVATE your future