{"id":1803,"date":"2025-12-03T12:12:04","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T01:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/?post_type=article&p=1803"},"modified":"2025-12-08T10:29:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T23:29:43","slug":"presidents-report-nsw-act-chapter-term-4-2025","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/article\/presidents-report-nsw-act-chapter-term-4-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"President\u2019s Report \u2013 NSW\/ACT Chapter – Term 4 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

As we close out 2025, Advancement professionals across NSW and the ACT are navigating one of the most dynamic periods our sector has seen in many years. Through our Forums, SIGs, Regional Conversations, Coffee Catch-ups and our largest ever Summit, we have heard directly from you about the changing expectations, pressures and opportunities shaping your work. When combined with current sectorial data, a clear picture of the landscape we are working in emerges.<\/span><\/p>\n

Demographic Shifts: The New Reality for Schools<\/b><\/p>\n

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia\u2019s fertility rate fell again to 1.48 babies per woman in 2024, one of the lowest on record. The ABS also recorded 292,318 births, still well below pre-pandemic levels, and reported a rise in median maternal age to 32.1.<\/span><\/p>\n

These trends are already shaping enrolment behaviour. National Schools Data (ACARA, 2024) shows that primary enrolments grew by only 0.4% this year, effectively flat when compared with historical growth. In practical terms, schools are now drawing from a smaller and slower-growing pool of school aged children, spread unevenly across regions.<\/span><\/p>\n

For advancement teams, this means heightened competition, later decision making from families, and greater movement between schools. It requires sharper strategy, clearer messaging and a deep understanding of local patterns.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marketing and Communications: Standing Out in a Saturated Digital Environment<\/b><\/p>\n

Across the year, members consistently expressed the pressure to communicate clearly and quickly in a fast-moving digital environment. Sector commentary from AISNSW<\/span> along with broader national research on digital engagement, shows that families are increasingly time-poor and overwhelmed by information.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most effective school communication now blends clarity, warmth and consistency. While AI tools have helped streamline workflow, families continue to respond strongest to authentic, human-centred storytelling. We are also seeing heightened expectations around transparency and the ethical use of data, expectations that sit at the heart of trust, reputation and engagement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fundraising and Community Engagement: Building Sustainable Approaches<\/b><\/p>\n

Economic conditions over the past 18\u201324 months, including rising living costs and tighter household budgets, appear to be influencing donor behaviour across the broader philanthropy sector. While school-specific fundraising data is limited, national giving reports indicate that donors are becoming more selective and increasingly focused on clarity of impact, confidence in governance and long-term purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n

Schools that communicate thoughtfully and invest in genuine, long-term relationships are seeing stronger and more consistent results. Monthly giving programs continue to grow, providing more predictable revenue, and many schools are prioritising sustainable, community-focused approaches to fundraising that build trust over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/b><\/p>\n

This year has highlighted the strength, openness and generosity of our membership. Your willingness to share experiences, challenges and ideas has shaped our understanding of our sector and will directly inform our 2026 professional development program to ensure it remains practical, relevant and responsive to the realities of your work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for your engagement across 2025. It has been a privilege to lead the Chapter this year alongside our extraordinary Committee, and we look forward to continuing this work with you in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yvette Graniero<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

President, NSW\/ACT Chapter<\/span>
\n<\/span>Educate Plus<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As we close out 2025, Advancement professionals across NSW and the ACT are navigating one of the most dynamic periods our sector has seen in many years. Through our Forums, SIGs, Regional Conversations, Coffee Catch-ups and our largest ever Summit, we have heard directly from you about the changing expectations, pressures and opportunities shaping your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","class_list":["post-1803","article","type-article","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/1803","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nsw-act\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}