The Regional Perspective – Navigating the Challenges and Cultivating Synergy
Article written by Lyn O’Neill | Director of Marketing and Enrolments, New England Girls’ School
Having spent the past two years living and working in a regional city, I am genuinely excited that the NSW/ACT Chapter has identified our regional schools as one of our Chapter priorities for 2024! We want to hear from our regional members. How can we as a Chapter provide value to you and your teams? What are the challenges you face? Are there specific professional development opportunities you’re seeking? How can we better connect with you?
According to the AIS INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN NEW SOUTH WALES SNAPSHOT 2023, of the 511 independent schools in NSW, 31% are regional.
Two years ago I made a ‘tree change’ and moved to the scenic New England area of NSW. I have greatly enjoyed the different pace to life and have a new appreciation for the challenges faced by smaller regional communities, but equally the synergies these communities cultivate with a strong sense of place, tradition and belonging.
So, from a school perspective what are some of those challenges?
- Population distribution disparities
Though COVID sent many city dwellers to the regions (I being one of them!), on the whole the biggest disparity is population. Regional areas have smaller populations compared to the city and urban areas. This means a smaller pool of prospective families, a smaller pool when attracting staff and volunteers to work on School and Foundation Boards, and competing options for these people.
- Limited resources
In some cases, smaller regional independent schools may have fewer financial resources compared to their urban counterparts. This limitation may affect their ability to invest in modern facilities, or upgrade programs. Some of these are significant considerations when competing for enrolments. What I have discovered though, in my short time working in a regional school, the flexibility and resourcefulness of regional schools is notable, and teamwork is very much the mantra.
- Perception and reputation
At times regional schools may struggle with perceptions and reputation, particularly younger regional schools when establishing brand recognition beyond their immediate communities. Establishing a positive reputation, especially in more remote areas, where families wouldn’t normally consider sending their children from, requires concerted effort, leaning in and highlighting the uniqueness of our regional locations and as a result the flow on experience for students.
- Competition
Though competition exists everywhere, many established city boarding schools have the resources to offer generous scholarships to attract country students. For regional schools with limited budgets, differentiating occurs by emphasising our personalised approach, smaller class sizes, and tight-knit community and the strong sense of safety and security that regional communities provide. Regional schools are more likely to leverage the advantages of a smaller tight-knit community where there is a strong sense of local identity and connection to place.
Let’s face it … as I reflect on the list above, the challenges I’ve written about are really not dissimilar to ones faced by city and urban schools. The main difference mostly comes down to the geographical distance required to cover to secure the majority of enrolments, and the differing strategies required to ensure that the prospect of regional families choosing a relatively ‘local’ education for their children, remains attractive. In my time at NEGS, I’ve embraced the many advantages that regional schools can offer – including leveraging the smaller class sizes, tight-knit community, access to nature and sprawling campuses, sense of identity and belonging, flexibility and opportunity.
Lyn O’Neill
NSW/ACT Chapter Secretary
Director of Marketing & Enrolments | NEGS
If you work in a regional school we would love to connect with you. We invite you to join us at one of our upcoming regional coffee catch-ups:
North Shore Event Details
Date: Thursday 29 February 2024
Time: 7.30am–9am
Place: Oliver Brown Crows Nest, 3/34-48 Alexander St, Crows Nest
More Info / Register | North Shore Coffee Catch-Up
Hunter Valley Event Details
Date: Monday 4 March 2024
Time: 7.00am-8.15am
Place: Treetops Restaurant, Hunter Valley Grammar School 42 Norfolk St, Ashtonfield, NSW 2323
More Info / Register | Hunter Valley Coffee Catch-Up
Southern Highlands (and Surrounds) Event Details
Date: Friday 8 March 2024
Time: 7.30am-8.30am
Place: Glass Cafe, Highlands Golf Club, Old Hume Highway, Mittagong
More Info / Register | Southern Highlands (and Surrounds) Catch-Up
Armidale (and Surrounds) Event Details (*NEW DATE*)
Date: Thursday 14 March 2024
Time: 7.30am-8.30am
Place: Goldfish Bowl, 3/160 Rusden St, Armidale NSW 2350
More Info / Register | Armidale (and Surrounds) Coffee Catch-Up
Canberra Welcome Drinks Event Details
Date: Wednesday 27 March 2024
Time: 4.30pm-6.00pm
Place: Caph’s Restaurant Bar Manuka
