Message from the President

Well, I think we all finished 2021 thinking that we would start 2022 as a normal year.  Little did we know that we would be expected to ‘pivot’ yet again. We are Advancement professionals not ballet dancers! And we all thought COVID would be the thing knocking us around, I hope that your families and your schools have not been too affected by the recent flood events in Queensland.

A warm welcome to 2022. No matter the circumstances, Educate Plus is committed to supporting our members and ensuring meaningful professional development and collegiality.

The Christmas PD, AGM and Christmas lunch was well attended and was a very successful event. Many thanks to Ben Gouldson and Ben Foley from Clifford Gouldson Lawyers for a very informative interactive session “Anything you want to ask a lawyer?”

The AGM saw the election of our new committee, later in our newsletter the new committee will be introduced to you. Thank you to our committee members who retired at the AGM or during the year.  Lea Walker-Franks, Susan Ulhman, Stephanie Way and Kristie Welsh. We also farewelled long term member Glenda Fitz-Payne as she retired to enjoy more time with her family.  Glenda has served on the committee for many years including two terms as President. Thank you again Glenda!

It was with regret we postponed our SIGs scheduled for 17 February – a necessity with visitors restricted in schools. We will now hold four SIGs over two sessions on 28 April at Matthew Flinders Anglican College in Buderim.  We are hoping many members from Brisbane will make a day of it and join our Sunshine Coast members.  We will hold the Admissions and Alumni SIGs and then after a short networking session hold a joint Marketing and Fundraising SIG.

We look forward to being able to meet together again in person. There is nothing more uplifting that catching up with your ‘tribe’!

At an organisational level, a webinar or online SIG will be held each month and hosted by the various state chapters. Each chapter has been assigned a pillar – Queensland’s being Admissions. Thank you to Susie Hancock and Ben Foley for planning those sessions on behalf of our chapter. You will have the opportunity to join organisation online SIGs and five organisational webinars across 2022 so please check on the Events web page for All Chapter SIGs dates.

Please also mark Tuesday 31 May in your diary for the Qld Chapter dinner during International Conference week.

I look forward to seeing many members in person at our upcoming events, either in Queensland or at the International Conference.

Stay safe, well and pivot!

Sue Russell FEdplus | President
Queensland Chapter | Educate Plus