President’s Report – Semester 2

 

As we head further into Semester 2, I’m struck by the energy and commitment that continues to build across our Chapter. From full SIG rooms to buzzing online conversations, it’s the collective knowledge, generosity, and genuine connection within our network that makes this community so impactful.

Last term’s SIG event at Redlands was a standout, with strong attendance across three valuable sessions. Admissions explored enrolment trends and retention strategies. Marketing and Communications delved into the evolving search journey in an AI-driven world. In the Leadership stream, I had the pleasure of presenting alongside Paulina Skerman on the often overlooked but essential relationship between a Principal and their Head of Advancement. When this relationship is aligned, it transforms what’s possible in a school. Strategy becomes sharper, messaging more consistent, and community confidence stronger.

I shared several practical ways to strengthen this partnership. A few highlights:

  • Speak their language – Connect your work to what matters to them: enrolments, reputation, fundraising, and Board expectations.
  • Talk about leadership, not marketing – Position Advancement as part of their leadership story, not just a nice extra. It’s about relationships, trust, and vision.
  • Be upfront even when it’s uncomfortable – Own mistakes and bring solutions. Transparency builds trust.
  • Keep showing up – True alignment takes time, consistency, and mutual respect.

Looking ahead we’re excited to gather at seven locations across the Chapter for this week’s Coffee Catch-Ups (Friday 8 August). These were very well attended in Semester 1, so I encourage you to register to attend a Catch-Up near you, as these relaxed networking events offer meaningful connection and practical support for colleagues in our Chapter.

Momentum is building for our NSW/ACT Chapter Summit in October, with close to 250 participants already having registered! Don’t wait too long to register as places are limited and we expect to sell out. While Early Bird has closed, we have decided to keep the Recognition Awards Nominations and Bursary Applications open until the end of this month, to enable more of our members to take advantage of these. Please do take the time to nominate a colleague for one of the Recognition Awards. We’ve made the process simple for you, with just 2 questions needing to be answered (and no supporting documentation required!) They were such a highlight of the 2023 NSW/ACT Summit in Canberra, which compelled us to continue to offer these Awards.

And finally, thank you to our outstanding Chapter Committee for their generosity, insight, and leadership throughout Semester 1. We look forward to continuing to deliver more valuable opportunities for networking, professional learning, and sector-wide collaboration.

Yvette Graniero 
Educate Plus Chapter President | NSW/ACT Chapter 

Director of Community Relations
Santa Sabina College
e: y.graniero@ssc.nsw.edu.au