Enrichment in 2026

Enrichment is one of the best ways to support student interest and for them to attain new skills. The College has a rich co-curricular life with opportunities in sport, music, debating and public speaking. The Enrichment program runs parallel to these activities, involving inter-school competitions, incursions, excursions, exams and after-school training sessions. 

Timing

Most enrichment training programs run on Mondays, Tuesday or Wednesdays after school from 3:30-4:30pm. This allows students enough time to use facilities and have a quick snack. Very rarely lunchtime meetings will be held that go for part of lunch – it is important for students to take breaks to eat and socialise every day.

Communication

Enrichment opportunities are routinely advertised on VO though the news function and by emails to students. Permission notes are sent via email and the parent portal.

Selection

Some enrichment activities are competitive and there are more students who want to participate than there are available places. Selection processes mimic the selection process in sports and other co-curriculars, being based on student applications, ability and attitude.

Conflicting schedules

Before signing up for an enrichment activity it is important for students to consider their other commitments both inside and out of school. 

Excursion and incursions

Some enrichment activities involve incursions and excursions that interrupt normal class time. These events are usually academically rigorous in their own right, but students who are missing too many classes for other events may need to reconsider.

A summary of some of the more permanent Enrichment Activities planned for 2026 can be found in the table below. There are many smaller competitions and excursions that will be organised as the year continues. 

Term 1	Science and Engineering Challenge Science and Engineering training (four Tuesday afternoons) Middle School Ethics Finals (finalists from 2025)  Senior Ethics Training day  Senior Ethics afterschool training (Wednesday afternoons)  da Vinci decathlon training (Monday afternoons)
Term 2	Senior Ethics afterschool training (Wednesday afternoons)  da Vinci decathlon training (Monday afternoons)  da Vinci decathlon excursions (Years 6-10)  Senior Ethics Olympiad
Term 3	Training for the Middle School Ethics Olympiad (Monday afternoons)  Senior Ethics Olympiad finals
Term 4	Middle School Ethics Olympiad

If students have events that they know of or areas that they are interested in exploring please get in contact to see if we can find a way to support student passions.

Matthew Mountford
Dean of Gifted Education