Innovate Forge Academy
Students presenting their work during an academy session

Introducing Innovate Forge Academy

A new chapter for our academy.
More possibilities for your child.

Building on our robotics and technology education foundation, Innovate Forge Academy brings together practical learning in technology, communication, creativity, leadership and innovation — with guidance to help young people explore their interests and develop confidence.

Explore Opportunities Help Me Choose

Our established robotics and coding pathways remain part of the academy — the same practical approach, now alongside more ways to learn.

Gary Gopinathan and Sue John standing together in front of the Academy's Robotics & Coding banner

Gary Gopinathan & Sue John · Co-Founders

A personal welcome

To the families who have grown with us

Thank you for trusting us with your child's learning. Families like yours have grown with us through robotics competitions, coding projects and countless Saturday breakthroughs — and we don't take that trust lightly.

Through our technology programs, we have seen students practise much more than technical skills: explaining an idea, working through a challenge and creating something they can share. Innovate Forge Academy brings that approach into more areas of learning.

Innovate Forge Academy extends our established robotics and computer science work into communication, creative writing, leadership and innovation — because the capabilities young people need reach beyond any one subject. The practical, personal approach to learning remains, now extended into new areas.

Read Our Story

Continuity and new possibilities

What stays the same. What's new.

The academy your child knows continues — with more ways to grow.

Established learning continues

Robotics and coding learning continues within the broader academy, with the same educator-led, practical approach.

Room to explore new interests

As your child grows, they can explore additional interests across communication, creativity, leadership and innovation.

Your enrolment is unchanged

This announcement does not change an existing enrolment. Any program changes will be communicated separately.

The Innovate Technology & Robotics Academy website remains accessible during the transition.

Opportunities for your child

Four pathways. One practical approach.

Explore by interest. Every pathway follows the same educator-led, hands-on approach — and families can begin with one interest.

Students building and programming a robot together
Open for Enrolment

Robotics & Computer Science

Students design, build, program, test and improve real systems — developing engineering thinking, persistence and computational problem-solving.

Try this: Build and program a sensor-driven robot that responds to its environment.

  • Applied Robotics & Engineering Academy
  • Coding Explorers (Live Online)
  • Game Development
  • VCE Applied Computing coaching

Weekly term classes at Glen Waverley, Chadstone and Narre Warren, plus live online options.

Students presenting to their class
Open for Enrolment

Communication & Leadership

Confidence, speaking, listening and leadership grow through real human interaction — prepared speeches, discussion, feedback and practical challenges.

Try this: Plan, deliver and refine a prepared speech in front of a supportive small group.

  • Confident Communicators
  • Young Leaders
  • Public Speaking Foundations
  • Debating & Critical Thinking

$220 per term for weekly term programs — eight sessions at Glen Waverley, Narre Warren, Chadstone and live online.

A student writing creatively at a table
Open for Enrolment

Creative Writing & Storytelling

Imagination, written expression and creative confidence grow through guided writing, storytelling, coaching and constructive feedback.

Try this: Develop characters and structure, then edit an original short story to share.

  • Creative Writing Foundations
  • Story Writing
  • Creative Storytelling
  • Young Authors Workshop

$220 per term for Creative Writing Foundations — eight weekly sessions at Glen Waverley, Narre Warren and Chadstone.

Students planning an innovation project together
Explore Pathway

Innovation, Leadership & Entrepreneurship

Initiative, creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking develop as students discover meaningful challenges and turn ideas into action.

Try this: Prototype an invention that solves a real problem, then pitch it to the group.

  • Design Thinking
  • Young Inventors
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Future Founders
  • Future Readiness

Young Leaders is open to enrol — $220 per term with weekly classes at Glen Waverley, Narre Warren, Chadstone and live online.

Prefer to browse everything at once? Open the Program Finder →

Make learning visible

See what your child can create and demonstrate

Meaningful progress is more than attendance — it includes practising, making, explaining and reflecting. The examples below are illustrative of what students work towards.

A tested robot

Built, programmed and improved through repeated testing.

A small web project

Designed and published to demonstrate an idea.

An original story

Drafted, edited and shared with an audience.

A presentation

Prepared and delivered with growing confidence.

A prototype

Created, tested and refined through feedback.

Our learning methodology

Explore → Build → Apply → Master

Participation, project completion and certification are different things. Recognition through an academy credential reflects the applicable assessment requirements, and meaningful progress can be demonstrated in many ways.

Explore Certification Pathways

Choose how to begin

Start wherever suits your family

Published dates and modes only — availability varies by centre and program.

Explore a term program

Browse weekly 2027 term programs by interest, age and location in the Program Finder.

Open the Program Finder →

Try a Discovery Starter Session

A guided introductory session in public speaking, creative writing, leadership, robotics or coding.

Explore Starter Sessions →

Explore holiday learning

January 2027 summer learning experiences in Melbourne, live online and on demand.

View Holiday Programs →

Ask for guidance

Tell us what interests your child and our team will help you find a suitable starting point.

Ask About My Child's Options →

Locations: approved weekly classes currently run at Glen Waverley, Chadstone and Narre Warren, with live online options. Epping & Bundoora and Geelong are waitlist only. Available courses vary by centre.

School-only programs: Mount View Primary School programs are exclusive to current MVPS students and retain their eligibility restrictions.

Visiting or overseas families: see our international student programs and international holiday programs.

Continue beyond the classroom

Learning that follows your child's journey

Forge learning app

Selected digital practice and project support between sessions. Relevant access is included with eligible academy programs; independent digital learning has its own subscription.

Discover the Forge App

Forge Care & personalised guidance

Educator encouragement, coaching, mentoring and care around each learner. Individual coaching is separately arranged.

Forge Care Coaching & Mentoring
Beyond Year 6

Forge Community for Teens

Planned ongoing teen connection through online sessions and short video-led courses. First planned cohort: Years 7–8, welcoming Year 6 graduates. Community is separate from regular classes and camps.

Register Interest

Parent FAQ

Common questions

Why introduce Innovate Forge Academy?

Through our technology programs, we have seen students practise much more than technical skills: explaining an idea, working through a challenge and creating something they can share. Innovate Forge Academy brings that approach into more areas of learning — communication, creativity, leadership and innovation — alongside our established robotics and coding programs.

Are robotics and coding still available?

Yes. Robotics and coding remain at the heart of the academy, with weekly term classes at Glen Waverley, Chadstone and Narre Warren and live online options. The new name broadens what families can explore; it does not replace these established pathways.

Does the new name change my child's current enrolment?

No. This announcement does not change an existing enrolment. Any program changes will be communicated separately and directly with affected families.

Can my child explore a different learning area?

Yes. Many students begin with one interest and add another as their confidence grows. Communication, creative writing, leadership and innovation programs are open to children whether or not they have studied technology with us before.

What is the difference between the academy, Forge app and Forge Community?

The academy runs educator-led programs in person and online. The Forge learning app provides selected digital practice and project support, with relevant access included in eligible academy programs and independent digital learning available by subscription. Forge Community is a planned online-first membership for teens moving into secondary school — separate from regular classes.

How do I find a suitable program and location?

Year level, experience, availability and delivery mode all shape the right option. Use the Program Finder to explore by interest and location, or share a few details in the form below and our team will help you find a suitable starting point.

Parent next step

Let's find a good next step for your child.

Tell us what interests your child and how you would like them to learn. We can help you explore a suitable starting point.

Our team replies within hours on weekdays.

Prefer to talk it through? Use the chat at the bottom of the page.

You can also book a 15-minute Parent Discovery Session.

Please don't include sensitive personal, health or family information.
Areas of interest *

This enquiry does not enrol your child, take payment or provide app access. See our Privacy Policy.