Two students guiding small robots along a track drawn on paper

Forge Discovery Starter Session

Discover your child's next learning adventure.

One session to explore. New skills to discover. Every child has different interests, strengths and ways of learning. From public speaking and creative writing to leadership, robotics and coding, our educators help students explore their interests, build confidence and discover an appropriate next step.

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Why book a Starter Session?

A great place to begin.

The Forge Discovery Starter Session is designed for families exploring our programs for the first time. Your child can experience our teaching approach, take part in an introductory learning activity and discover which program may suit their interests.

Discover interests

Explore a learning area through an engaging introductory experience.

Build confidence

Take part in a welcoming, age-appropriate learning activity.

Experience our approach

See how our educators guide learning through practical activities and encouragement.

Explore next steps

Receive guidance on suitable Academy programs and possible learning pathways.

Choose your learning pathway

What would your child like to explore?

Communication & Leadership

Find your voice.

Explore public speaking, communication and presentation skills through engaging, interactive activities. Students have opportunities to practise expressing ideas, listening to others and building confidence.

Related programs

Confident Communicators · Public Speaking Foundations · Speechcraft · Presentation Skills · Debating & Critical Thinking

Activities may include

Speaking games · Storytelling · Short presentations · Interactive communication exercises

Explore Communication Starter

Creative Writing & Storytelling

Discover your creative voice.

Explore imaginative writing through engaging storytelling and creative exercises. Students have opportunities to develop ideas, create characters and experiment with written expression.

Related programs

Creative Writing Foundations · Story Writing · Creative Storytelling · Young Authors Workshop · Writing & Publishing Projects

Activities may include

Creative writing prompts · Character creation · Story planning · Short storytelling challenges

Explore Creative Writing Starter

Innovation, Leadership & Entrepreneurship

Explore ideas. Discover leadership.

Explore practical challenges that encourage collaboration, creative thinking, initiative and problem-solving. Students experience activities that introduce leadership, innovation and the process of developing ideas.

Related programs

Young Leaders · Design Thinking · Young Inventors · Entrepreneurship · Future Founders · Future Readiness

Activities may include

Team challenges · Creative problem-solving · Design thinking activities · Leadership exercises · Developing and presenting ideas

Explore Innovation Starter

Robotics & Computer Science

Selected

Think. Build. Create.

Explore technology through purposeful, hands-on learning. Students experience an introductory activity in coding, robotics or digital creation, depending on the selected program and available session.

Related programs

Applied Robotics & Engineering · Applied Computer Science · Creative Coding & Game Systems · Python Programming · Web Development

Activities may include

Coding challenges · Robotics activities · Computational thinking · Game design · Problem-solving with technology

Technology Starter: guided 90-minute session · $50. Coding Starter: 60 minutes · $50.

Explore Technology Starter

Personalised

Choose a starting point that suits your child.

Every Starter Session is shaped around your child's interests, school year level and previous experience, as well as the pathway you choose and the educators and locations available. A public speaking Starter may involve speaking activities; a creative writing Starter, a short writing challenge; a leadership Starter, collaborative problem-solving; a robotics Starter, building and programming a robot. Each session focuses on one learning area — your child won't try every program at once.

Discovery Starter Session

Technology Starter: $50 · guided 90-minute session.

Coding Starter: $50 · 60 minutes.

Communication, creative writing and innovation Starters: $29 · 60 minutes.

Children just come along — we provide all materials. Afterwards, you can choose to join the Academy. We usually reply within hours, often within an hour.

Book your Discovery Starter Session

Tell us your child's preferred learning pathway, program, year level and location in the form below, and we'll confirm an available session. See our Privacy Policy for how we handle your details.

Parent FAQ

Starter Session questions

What is the Forge Discovery Starter Session?+

An introductory Academy learning experience for families exploring our programs for the first time. Your child takes part in an engaging activity in their chosen learning area, and we help you discover a suitable next step.

Can my child try a non-technology program?+

Yes. Starter Sessions cover communication, creative writing, leadership and innovation as well as robotics and coding.

Which learning pathways can we explore?+

Communication & Leadership, Creative Writing & Storytelling, Innovation, Leadership & Entrepreneurship, and Robotics & Computer Science.

What if my child has multiple interests?+

Choose the area that excites them most for the first session, and tell us about their other interests when you book. We'll talk through other pathways with you afterwards.

Does my child need previous experience?+

No. Starter Sessions welcome beginners as well as students with some experience.

What happens during the session?+

It depends on the pathway. A public speaking Starter may involve speaking activities, a creative writing Starter a short writing challenge, a leadership Starter collaborative problem-solving, and a robotics Starter building and programming a robot. Students don't try every program in one session.

How long does a Starter Session last?+

The technology Starter is a guided 90-minute session. Coding, communication, creative writing and innovation Starters run for 60 minutes.

What does it cost?+

Technology and coding Starters are $50. Communication, creative writing and innovation Starters are $29.

Which locations are available?+

Starter Sessions run at our Glen Waverley, Chadstone and Narre Warren locations and online. Pathways offered vary by location — choose your preferred location when you book and we'll confirm what's available.

Can we book an online Starter Session?+

Yes, for pathways we teach online, such as communication and leadership. Hands-on robotics Starters run in person.

Does my child need to bring a device?+

No. Children just come along — we provide all materials and equipment. For online sessions, your child will need a device with a camera and microphone.

Will we receive guidance on the next program?+

Yes. Pathway guidance is part of every Starter Session.

Can my child enrol in a term program afterwards?+

Yes. After the Starter Session, families can choose to join the Academy and enrol in a full term program.

Other learning locations

Explore more places to learn.

Glen Waverley Chadstone Narre Warren Epping & Bundoora Online Learning All locations