Discover. Create. Lead.
Through public speaking, creative writing, leadership, entrepreneurship, robotics and coding, students learn to think independently, communicate effectively, create confidently and solve real-world problems.
Discover our new chapter — Innovate Forge Academy brings more possibilities to your child's learning.
A Message for ParentsWhy Forge?
A forge is a place where ideas take shape through skill, care and purposeful effort.
That philosophy is at the heart of Innovate Forge Academy. We create opportunities for young people to discover their strengths, practise new skills, tackle meaningful challenges and grow in confidence. Through educator guidance, hands-on experiences and purposeful technology — whether preparing a speech, writing a story, building a robot or developing a program — students turn learning into capabilities they can use in everyday life.
Discover Our StoryOur evolution
Innovate Forge Academy builds on the educational experience of Innovate Technology & Robotics Academy, extending our established technology and robotics programs into a broader journey of innovation, communication, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Our foundation
Technology, robotics, coding and computer science education.
Our expanded academy
Technology, innovation, communication, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Educational philosophy
At Innovate Forge Academy, learning is about more than mastering technology or completing projects. Through coaching, mentoring and a supportive learning environment, we encourage young people to discover their strengths, develop confidence, build meaningful relationships and take ownership of their learning.
Learn with purpose. Grow with guidance. Create with confidence.
Coaching
Our educators use thoughtful questions, encouragement, goals, constructive feedback, reflection and practical challenges to help learners develop independent problem-solving skills.
How it works: A coding coach guides a student to identify and correct a programming mistake rather than simply providing the answer.
Mentoring
Our educators and approved mentors help learners explore their interests, strengths, development goals and future pathways through positive role modelling and age-appropriate guidance.
How it works: A mentor helps a student connect an interest in technology with possible projects, further study or future career pathways.
Care
We aim to create a respectful, inclusive and supportive learning environment where students experience encouragement, belonging and appropriate involvement from parents and carers.
How it works: An educator listens to a student’s concern, responds within professional boundaries and involves appropriate adults when further support or safeguarding action is needed.
Co-Founder — Gary Gopinathan
Founder story
From helping establish FIRST LEGO League (FLL) in Sydney to building robotics education opportunities across Australia, founder Gary Gopinathan’s educational journey has centred on helping young people discover their potential through practical learning, coaching and mentoring.
Gary brings 25 years of experience in teaching, training and capability building. He was part of the founding team that established FLL in Sydney in 2008 and, in 2014, founded and scaled the VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) program across Australia.
Alongside co-founder Sue John, he is carrying this established technology education heritage into Innovate Forge Academy’s broader future-ready learning model.
Meet Our FounderFour connected pathways
Explore distinct learning pathways designed to build capability, confidence and a strong sense of possibility.
LEARNING PATHWAY
Build, code and understand the systems shaping tomorrow.
Explore pathway
LEARNING PATHWAY
Find your voice. Develop your confidence. Lead with purpose.
Explore pathway
LEARNING PATHWAY
Imagine boldly. Write creatively. Share your story.
Explore pathway
LEARNING PATHWAY
From curiosity to contribution.
Explore pathwayFree parent reflection
A free five-minute reflection across six capability areas — with an individual report for each child and suggested learning pathways.
11–15 January Melbourne · 18–22 January Live Online
Join us for one morning, several days or a complete Future Ready week. For Melbourne, interstate and New Zealand families.
Term Programs
Educator-led programs that build practical skills, creativity and confidence across eight-session terms.
Robotics & Computer Science
Where students learn to think like engineers — design, build, program, test and improve real robotic systems through structured term projects.
Years 2–8 term classes, with advanced coaching and mentoring for Years 9–12.
Explore program
Robotics & Computer Science
An established progression course for students who already code and want to build more structured Python projects.
Explore program
Robotics & Computer Science
An established progression course for students building on web basics to create useful, engaging web experiences.
Explore program
Communication & Leadership
Find your voice through speaking, listening, storytelling and engaging communication activities.
$220 per term · 8 sessions · 60 min
Creative Writing & Storytelling
Explore imagination, characters and storytelling through guided writing and creative activities.
$220 per term · 8 sessions · 60 min
Robotics & Computer Science
Develop computing knowledge, problem-solving and software development skills through guided learning aligned with the relevant VCE study.
Explore programBeyond the program catalogue
Explore student competitions, school programs and partnerships that bring meaningful learning experiences to employees' families.
COMPETITIONS
FOR SCHOOLS
FOR ORGANISATIONS
Partner with Innovate Forge Academy to bring engaging workshops, holiday programs and digital learning experiences to your workplace community.
Explore partnershipsOur learning approach
Ask, observe and imagine.
Turn ideas into something real.
Test learning in context.
Reflect, refine and lead.
Guided by educators. Supported by Forge.
Our digital learning environment supports purposeful practice, creative exploration and continued learning. Explore independent Forge subscriptions or discover how the app complements our Academy programs.
Explore new ideas and learn with an educator.
Practise, experiment and apply skills through engaging activities.
Reflect, grow and use new capabilities with increasing confidence.
Upcoming Experiences
Meet us, experience our learning approach and discover what comes next.
Future Ready 2027An end-of-year parent and student experience celebrating Innovate learning at MVPS — with discovery activities and future pathways.
Future Ready 2027Experience the Academy in person through short student challenges, demonstrations and parent conversations. Not a traditional open day.
Innovate Education · Signature Series
From AI adoption to school transformation
Powered by Innovate Education Group
School Leaders · In Person
An in-person signature forum for school executive teams exploring AI, capability, governance and whole-school change.
Holiday Programs • Melbourne & Singapore
Singapore
Three cohorts
Melbourne
30 Nov–4 Dec
Melbourne
7–11 Dec
Melbourne Custom
14–18 Dec
An Australian learning experience for international students visiting Melbourne this December.
Half-days • Day passes • 7–11 December featured week
Visiting Melbourne?
Custom one-to-one coaching, mentoring and future-ready learning experiences for students and families visiting Melbourne.
International Study Tours
Custom innovation, leadership, technology and future-ready study tours with opportunities for structured peer learning alongside Australian students.
Insights
Choosing the right after-school activity isn't about finding one perfect fit, but about understanding your child's unique interests, personality, and developmental needs. This guide helps you look beyond popularity to find an activity where your child can truly thrive.
Gary Gopinathan · 29 July 2026 · 6 min read
Read ArticleWith AI assistants now writing code, many parents wonder if coding is still a vital skill for children. This article explores why learning to code remains one of the best ways to develop timeless skills like logic, problem-solving, and systems thinking in an AI-driven world.
Gary Gopinathan · 5 August 2026 · 6 min read
Read Article
We often mistake loudness for self-assurance, but true confidence is quieter and more deliberate. This article explores the power of quiet confidence and how parents can nurture this vital skill in their children.
Gary Gopinathan · 23 September 2026 · 6 min read
Read ArticleOur curriculum approach
Our programs are designed to complement school learning while helping young people develop practical capabilities through engaging educational experiences.
We use relevant Australian and Victorian curriculum expectations to inform our program development, alongside selected international educational frameworks where appropriate.
Our emphasis is on meaningful learning, practical skills and the confidence to apply knowledge beyond the classroom.
Every program combines relevant curriculum connections, practical capability development, educator-led learning, hands-on experiences and purposeful technology.
Read about our curriculum approachParent FAQ
No. We develop communication, confidence, creativity, leadership and problem-solving. Robotics and coding are one part of that — alongside public speaking, creative writing, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Technology is used when it supports a clear learning goal. Communication, writing and leadership classes focus on discussion, practice and offline activities; robotics and coding use devices because they are essential to the learning.
A forge is a place where ideas take shape through skill, care and purposeful effort. For us, it represents how capabilities develop through educator guidance, practice and experience.
The Forge App is our digital learning environment. It is included with every program at no extra cost, supports practice between classes, and parents can log in to the parent portal to follow their child's learning. It complements our educators and never replaces them.
Book a Starter Session at any of our locations. Children just come along — we provide all materials — and afterwards you can choose to join the Academy.
We usually reply within hours — often within an hour.
Each program is connected to relevant parts of the Australian Curriculum (Version 9) and the Victorian Curriculum. The connections differ by program — robotics links to Technologies and Science, for example, while public speaking links to English speaking and listening. Programs complement school learning; they don't replace it.
It depends on the program, but common threads are communication, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving and — in technology programs — computational thinking. Each program page lists its own capability connections.
Yes. Activities, independence and challenge are adjusted for younger (Years 3–4), middle (Years 5–6) and older (Years 7–8) learners. A single course doesn't cover the whole curriculum for every year level.
Where relevant we draw on the ISTE Standards for Students, CSTA computer science standards, IB Approaches to Learning skills and Cambridge learner attributes. They inform our design — we are not an IB or Cambridge school.
Forge, our digital learning platform, holds course activities, project work and educator feedback so students can keep practising between sessions and parents can follow along.
Find the learning pathway that meets your curiosity and helps you take the next step.
