From the Chapter President!

Dear Members,

We’re nearly at the end of the 2025! The year seems to have passed by so quickly. 

I extend a warm welcome to our new members.  

This time of year, although busy and filled with end of year celebrations, is a good time to reflect on the achievements of you and your team and celebrate the wins. Research tells us that this ritual can help fuel motivation for the planning of the year ahead. 

There is much to celebrate and share in this edition of the newsletter so read on. 

Thank You to Our Queensland Chapter Partners 

Thank you to our 2025 Chapter Partners and Sponsors: advancedlife, Studio Kirby, and MyWorld Jewellery. Their support and services are invaluable to our chapter and our Advancement community, and I encourage you to reach out to them to learn more about their services. 

People & Culture  

The momentum continues to grow in our People & Culture pillar with members from schools and universities across Queensland joining Educate Plus to learn more about the Professional Development opportunities available and to connect with those in similar roles. As we grow this pillar, there is a standing invitation for People & Culture professionals in your institutions to join and engage with our Advancement colleagues. 

Perth Empowering Success International Conference 

The Perth Conference saw 116 attendees from Queensland, with several members and presenters contributing to the program.  We were well represented amongst the 760 delegates, which included welcoming delegates from the People & Culture pillar and from the Asia region for the first time.  You can read a reflection by David Miles, Director of Engagement, Churchie here.  

At the Excellence Awards luncheon, we celebrated with Lourdes Hill College and Scots PGC College as they were recognised for excellence in Admissions Campaigns and Events, respectively.  

Ben Foley received the Outstanding Volunteer Award for his leadership in People & Culture and six Educate Plus Fellowships were awarded to committee members, Lara Pickering, Susan McGinley, Ally Walburn, Nicole de Vries, Penny Bowman and me in acknowledgment of contribution and dedication to advancement.  

2026 International Conference in Brisbane 

In a Bluey themed announcement at the close of the Perth Conference, delegates were excited to hear that the 2026 International Conference will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. As the host city for this international event, we are excited to share the best of Brisbane with our national and international colleagues.  

Save the Dates

• QLD Chapter Summit – Monday and Tuesday, 28 and 29 July 2025 – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (Week 3, Term 3) 

• 2025 SIG & PD dates will be sent your inbox mid-December, so keep an eye out for these!  

Final Word 

Your Queensland Chapter Committee and the Educate Plus Board continue to work hard to ensure that you, our Members, enjoy quality experiences to support you in the development of your profession. 

Planning for 2025 Special Interest Group (SIG) and PD program is being held mid-December, and the Committee is always keen to hear your ideas for speakers and topics , so please get in touch with me directly with any suggestions. 

If there’s anything else we can do to support you in your work or add value to your Membership, please let us know.  

I wish you a successful end to the 2024 year, an enjoyable Christmas with family and loved ones, and a restful break before the start of 2025. 

Kind regards,

Welcome to Our Newest Members

We can’t wait to meet you!

We extend a very warm welcome to our latest Members, who have recently joined us this quarter (see below). We are thrilled to have you as part of our QLD Chapter community!

Welcome to our new QLD members who joined this quarter:

Recognition of Excellence for the QLD Chapter

QLD Excellence Awards: Presented at the Educate Plus International Conference, held in Perth, Australia, 10-13 September 2024 

We are thrilled to celebrate the success of our members and their institutions. 

Fellow Awards:

Penny Bowman QLD Chapter Committee Development and Community Engagement Manager Sommerville House	Claire Grlj QLD Chapter President Educate Plus Board Secretary Leading Engagement Solutions	Susan McGinley QLD Chapter Committee Director of Advancement The Women’s College within the University of QLD
Lara Pickering Director, Philanthropy and Stakeholder Engagement St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School (Previous QLD Chapter Vice President)	Nicole de Vries Director of Brand and Future Schools The Industry School (Previous QLD Chapter Committee)	Alison Walburn QLD Chapter Committee Director of Community Engagement Matthew Flinders Anglican College

Institution Awards:

• Admissions Campaign: Lourdes Hill College
• Admissions Event: Scots PGC College

Special Awards:

• Volunteer Award: Ben Foley, Legal Counsel, EREA Colleges LTD

Scholarship Awards:

• Newcomer Scholarship Recipient: Kaitlyn Graham

   

Late in 2024, I took the plunge into a new industry by joining Rockhampton Girls Grammar School. Soon after, I joined Educate Plus, excited to learn more about this dynamic industry. Attending the Educate Plus Empowering Success International Conference, thanks to the Newcomer Scholarship, was a gamechanger.

My Top Three Takeaways:

1. T-Rex or Kangaroo? Lynne Wester’s Keynote resonated deeply. I had been a ‘T-Rex’ in my previous role, set in my ways. Now, I’m embracing my inner ‘Kangaroo’— eager to learn and adapt. Both mindsets are valuable.
2. The Extended Customer Journey. Margo Bastow’s session taught me how the student journey extends well beyond enrolment, through to post-graduation. This shift in thinking now shapes our Marketing strategies.
3. Shared Purpose. Above all, the Conference reminded me that we’re united by one goal: providing quality education. The connections made and insights gained will undoubtedly shape my work

Kaitlyn Graham
Marketing Coordinator
Rockhampton Girls Grammar School

Take Your Career to the Next Level – Advancement Practitioner Training

2025 QLD Chapter Summit – Save the Date!

QLD Chapter Summit  

Get ready for a fabulous 2 days of Professional Development and Networking with your local colleagues!

Mark your calendars! We invite you to SAVE THE DATE to join us at the 2025 QLD Chapter Summit to be held as follows:

Event Details
Date: Monday and Tuesday, 28 and 29 July 2025
Place: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (Week 3, Term 3) 

You won’t want to miss this transformative experience, in a fabulous venue, with colleagues from across Queensland

There will be learning experiences in the 6 Educate Plus streams, including Admissions, Alumni & Community Relations, Fundraising, Marketing & Communications, Leadership and People & Culture.

Make sure to include it in your budget now! Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, expand your network or be inspired by the latest Advancement practices, trends and insights … the 2025 QLD Summit is for you!

Registration will be open early in 2025.

An International Conference Reflection …

Reflection by David Miles, Director of Engagement, Churchie (and QLD Chapter Treasurer)

The 2024 Educate Plus International Conference was held in Perth from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 September. The first opportunity for the 760 delegates (including 114 from Queensland) to enjoy Perth and some of what it has to offer, was in Kings Park at the Welcome Drinks. The twilight views of the Perth CBD through the towering gum trees and across the harbour like Swan River were spectacular.  

The Official Opening the next morning welcomed delegates from Australia, New Zealand and Asia, setting a wonderful tone for the week. Keynote speakers included Mark McCrindle, social researcher and thought leader, Trudy MacDonald, personal wellbeing and performance coach, Lynne Wester, Innovative Fundraising Consultant and Author, and Libby Gorr, Multi-Award Winning Radio & TV Broadcaster.  Advancement sessions were littered with our Advancement colleagues and specialist speakers sharing their expertise, strategies and encouragement across the six pillars of Alumni & Community Relations, Fundraising, Marketing & Communications, Admissions, Leadership and People & Culture. 

The sessions on offer throughout the Conference were relevant and informative, clearly demonstrating the amount of effort and thought that had gone into their planning. The many opportunities to interact and network throughout the week were welcomed by delegates and exhibitors alike. With several Queensland based speakers and exhibitors, we were very well represented, which made for a well-attended Chapter Gathering at Rambla on Swan in South Perth, to enjoy each other’s company socially whilst again soaking up the sweeping views of Perth across the Swan River.  

At the Excellence Awards, Penny Bowman, Susan McGinley, Nicole deVries, Alison Walburn, Lara Pickering and Claire Grlj were inducted as Educate Plus Fellows. Congratulations to these recipients for this deserved recognition of your outstanding contribution to Educate Plus over many years. Congratulations also to Ben Foley who came home with the Outstanding Volunteer Award for his work on the People & Culture stream, which has had a huge impact across the organisation. Queensland schools were also awarded wins for their excellence, including the Excellence Award winner in an Admissions Campaign, Lourdes Hill College, Hawthorne and for an Admissions Event, Scots PGC College, Warwick. 

On the final evening for the Conference Celebration, we were privileged to be hosted in the Sports Lounge at Optus Stadium. It was an enjoyable evening spent soaking up the imagined atmosphere of the many events hosted at the venue and/or taking to the dance floor in front of the live band.  

We look forward to showcasing Brisbane as host of the 2026 International Conference, which was announced at the Conference Close with a Bluey themed celebration. 

David Miles
Director of Engagement 
Old Boy (1981-1985) 

QLD Chapter Treasurer

That’s a Wrap!

Thank you to the QLD Chapter Committee for organising a series of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that were held concurrently in August this year. Below is a wrap of each of the SIGs:

Alumni and Community Engagement SIG 

Topic: Running an Efficient and Effective Alumni Relations Office on a Limited Budget

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent Alumni & Community Engagement SIG. It was fantastic to engage in a robust discussion where it quickly became apparent, that no matter the age of your institution or the size of your team and budget, we all want to do more with the resources we have.

Thank you to everyone who shared their ideas and solutions – with a focus on how to manage and capture data more efficiently,  where to start when establishing an alumni program from the ground up, and how to host engaging and low cost events which meet the needs of multiple stakeholders.

Thank you all for making the session so enriching. We warmly welcome any feedback and your ideas for future SIG sessions to continue advancing our alumni engagement efforts. 

Georgia Mitchell 
Acting Director of Philanthropy and Stakeholder Engagement 
St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School 

Fundraising SIG 

Topic: Effective and Engaging Stakeholder Communication in Fundraising Campaigns

In the realm of Fundraising, effective communication is not merely a strategy but an art. At the forefront of this art lies storytelling – a powerful tool that engages donors on a personal and emotive level. Recently, at the Fundraising SIG facilitated by Susan McGinley and Joanna Lovett, participants particularly focused on the nuanced techniques of compelling storytelling and its profound impact on donor engagement. 

The SIG provided a platform to exchange insights and experiences, highlighting the critical role of storytelling across various fundraising initiatives such as Capital Campaigns, Bequests, and Giving Days. Examples were shared of how storytelling has forged deeper connections with donors and enhanced campaign outcomes. 

Reflecting on the SIG, it was emphasised that storytelling isn’t just about conveying information; it’s about creating a narrative that resonates with donors’ values and aspirations. When done effectively, it inspires empathy and action, fostering long-term relationships built on trust and shared purpose – a testament to the enduring impact of genuine, effective communication in philanthropy. 

Susan McGinley
Director of Advancement
The Women’s College within the University of Queensland

Admissions SIG

Topic: Key Admissions Issues: Testing, Diversity and Pre-commencement Family Engagement 

The Admissions Special Interest Group (SIG) provided a fantastic opportunity for participants to connect, share experiences, and discuss key challenges facing Admissions teams today. The session delved into several important topics, including:

• Pre- and post-enrolment testing: Should schools rely on external reports, or is additional testing necessary? What are the implications of conducting further assessments?
• Holistic Admissions policies: Beyond academic grades, how can schools identify and admit students with diverse talents and abilities, ensuring alignment with their mission and values?
• Engaging new families before the first day: With some enrollments finalised years in advance, how can schools maintain engagement and build connections with incoming students and their families?

Thank you to everyone who participated in this SIG! It was a valuable chance to collaborate, exchange ideas, and support one another in navigating the complexities of the Admissions process.

Scott Huntington
Head of Community and Strategic Development
Brisbane Christian College

Marketing & Communications SIG

Topic: How Schools Can Develop Strategic Ideas for Effective Marketing for 2025 and beyond 

In this Marketing & Communications-focused session, participants explored how schools can craft and implement strategic marketing initiatives to effectively connect with their target audiences.

The session emphasised aligning marketing strategies with your school’s core values, creating compelling narratives, and fostering meaningful engagement with your community. Attendees gained practical tools and insights to help attract prospective families, deepen relationships with current ones, and elevate their school’s brand.

A collaborative element encouraged delegates to bring their school’s unique challenges, annual themes, mantras, taglines, and ideas. Through group discussions and brainstorming, they worked together to develop innovative and actionable solutions to take back to their schools.

Ben Stocks
Brand and Marketing Manager
The Moreton Bay Colleges

Brady Downs
Managing Director
Look Education 

People & Culture SIG

Topic: Privacy Issues Relevant to the Education Sector 

The People & Culture SIG session on the Federal Government’s proposed reforms to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) offered participants valuable insights into the evolving landscape of data privacy. Against the backdrop of high-profile data breaches, the session emphasised the critical need for all Australian businesses, including schools, to manage personal information in line with the Act and the Australian Privacy Principles.

Participants explored potential reforms and their implications for the education sector, particularly for People & Culture teams. Key takeaways included:

• A deeper understanding of privacy responsibilities.
• Insight into how the proposed reforms could impact schools.
• Encouragement to critically evaluate why and how personal data is collected, stored, and disposed of.

Thank you to all who joined this engaging and thought-provoking session! It was an excellent opportunity to reflect on these pressing issues and their significance for our schools.

Ben Foley
Legal Counsel
EREA Colleges LTD
 

Thought Leadership – It Takes a Village

This article was supplied by Holly O’Sullivan Williams | Deputy Principal, CHAC

It Takes a Village

We are almost at the end of another academic year. Term 4 is one of those times where I just want to press the pause button and savour the moment of growth that we see in our students. So, as I pause as an educator as well as a parent myself, it is important to remember that education is about more than just mastering something whether it is subject content, a musical instrument, a sporting endeavour and so on. While excelling in the traditional 3Rs – reading, writing, and arithmetic – is one of the main reasons we send our children to school, other reasons why education is important is because it is also a place where our children can take risks, make mistakes, and learn to navigate the ups and downs of life in a supportive environment. 

The Importance of Trying and Failing 

Many parents and teachers feel an instinctive urge to protect their children/students from failure. It’s natural to want to shield them from disappointment, whether it’s missing out on a sports team, not getting a role in the school play, or falling short of an academic award or leadership position. These experiences can indeed hurt, but they are also crucial opportunities for growth. 

Encouraging children to participate in activities they may not excel at (yet) teaches resilience and perseverance. It’s important for them to understand that they don’t have to be perfect to take part in something. The act of trying, regardless of the outcome, is where true learning happens. 

Normalising Imperfection 

We do a disservice to our children/students when we prevent them from engaging in activities because they might fail. For example, if a child/student says, “I don’t want to run the cross country. I’m not good at running,” it might seem compassionate to respond with, “That’s okay, you don’t have to.” However, this approach can limit their development. 

Instead, we must consider saying, “That’s okay that you’re not good at running. Running the cross country isn’t about being the best. It’s about trying something different and being a part of your House. You don’t have to be good at something to participate, and you might even get better if you try.” This kind of encouragement fosters a growth mindset, where effort and learning are valued over innate ability. 

Learning from Disappointment 

Experiencing and overcoming disappointment is just as important as academic success. When our children miss out on opportunities or face setbacks, they learn to cope with their feelings, build resilience, and try again. This process is invaluable and contributes to their overall emotional and psychological development.  

As parents and educators, our role is to support and guide them through these experiences, helping them see failure not as a negative endpoint but as a stepping stone to future success. By normalising failure and emphasising the importance of effort and persistence, we can help our children/students collectively develop the confidence to tackle new challenges and the resilience to bounce back from setbacks. 

Encouragement Over Protection 

What I am asking for is a mutual commitment to encouraging your children/our students, to take risks and try new things, even if they might fail. Let’s celebrate their efforts just as much as their successes and what is more, the courage it takes to step out of their comfort zones. By doing so, we are not only helping them learn essential skills but also teaching them that failure is a natural and valuable part of the learning process. 

Sometimes, I admit that it seems easier if we just give in. Especially when there are tears, even tantrums, or a whole lot of “you don’t understands” being thrown our way. It can be exhausting when we have to say no to a child’s request to have a day off, not participate or tryout for something… The list goes on. 

It takes a Village 

I am not a psychologist or counsellor. These musings stem from my work with professionals including teachers, support staff, parents, grandparents and most importantly, students themselves. In partnership, we can work together to ensure that we are celebrating effort, normalising imperfections and encouraging students to learn from disappointment instead of allowing avoidance as a self-protection mechanism. 

Let’s Meet a Chapter Member …

Each eNews, we introduce you to one of our wonderful Chapter Members, through a question and answer type interview article.

Therefore, in the hotseat this week is: Rachael McDonald, Communications Officer, Rockhampton Grammar School

What is the length of time you’ve been in educational Advancement? 

This is my 12th year working at The Rockhampton Grammar School. During that time I have worked across several areas including Advancement, Events, Media, coordinating publications, and liaising with media. I’m also regularly seen with a camera in my hand taking photos at school events. 

What is the achievement or accomplishment you are most proud of? 

In the changing space of communicating with Alumni, a few years back we established an Alumni publication – The Grammarian. Now produced twice a year, this is a great platform to share deeper insights into the School’s Alumni spanning many decades and also gives the School’s more recent graduates a greater insight into those students who walked their same steps years before them. 

What is your greatest moment of learning or a challenge that you’ve overcome? 

Social media creates ongoing challenges. It is a fantastic space to promote the School’s achievements and share information, but there’s also a growing need to be aware of the increased want for families to have privacy on social media platforms and manage opinions outside of the immediate school community. I find I am always having to work on getting the right balance. 

What is your favourite TV show or podcast that you are currently watching / listening to? 

Outside of working at The Rockhampton Grammar School, for the past eight years I’ve also co-hosted a two-hour sports programme for Triple M Radio Central Queensland, called the B Team. This allows me to share my passion for sport so my TV viewing regularly revolves around watching anything sports related. 

What is your favourite travel memory?  

I loved travelling through Europe many years ago. It gave me a greater appreciation of how young Australia is as a nation compared to other parts of the world. I was constantly amazed at the architecture and how these buildings were constructed, especially given how reliant we are now on all things technology to create anything. 

What are three tips or words of advice you have for new Educate Plus members and/or those new to Advancement? 

• Learn – Always be open to learning from others, both from the staff at your organisation and from staff at other organisations from across the country. You will be surprised at how many similar challenges, and success stories, are out there. 
• Communicate – Take a moment to get to know your fellow staff members across the organisation. Everyone has a story to share and it’s a great way of gaining a better understanding into other areas of the organisation. 
• Balance – Something I try to remember, but don’t necessarily do that well most of the time. Love being at work and giving it your all when you are there. Also remember, that life exists outside of work so find some time for family, friends, and something for you. 

What are three things you enjoy doing in your spare time? 

• Watching my children play sport 
• Long walks  
• Catching up with friends 

Thank you Rachael … it’s been wonderful getting to know you!

How Technology, Policies and Processes Can Assist with Waitlists

This article was provided by Digistorm | 2024 Strategic Partner

Managing ever-growing waitlists has become one of the most significant challenges facing K-12 admissions teams across Australia. With parents applying at multiple schools and expecting more than ever from each of them, the independent school admissions environment has become increasingly frantic with frequent emotionally charged conversations with families. Although there’s no quick-fix solution, managers can lean into technology, policies and processes to help lessen the strain and support their teams.

The Challenges

Growing Waitlists

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, waitlists were not a major concern for most schools. In the years since, the K-12 landscape has changed dramatically, and most schools now face a waitlist issue of some sort. For some schools, long waitlists apply at every year level, whereas for others, waitlists only apply at peak entry years such as Kindergarten or Year Seven. In other instances, there’s an issue with waitlisting specific to one gender, leaving schools with a gap or imbalance.

Higher Expectations from Parents

In Digistorm’s 2023/24 State of Admissions Report, data showed that 74% of schools had felt an increase in contact and communication with future families. When asked how dramatic the increase in communication felt on a scale of 100, schools ranked it an average of 94.

Parents today are more proactive during the admissions process, often placing their children on multiple waitlists and weighing up the decision with a keen eye. Higher expectations are putting pressure on admissions teams in various ways, most notably the volume of communication. Compounding this stress is the fact that the average size of an admissions team has remained unchanged, with 62% of schools reporting that just 1 or 2 people handle their school’s admissions. This is putting additional pressure on already stretched team members.

Tougher Conversations

Admissions teams — who could previously accommodate all applicants — now find themselves in the difficult position of having to turn families away. These conversations are emotionally charged, as parents are deeply invested in their children’s education and have often waited years in hope of a positive outcome.

The Solutions

Strong Enrolment Policies and Transparent Processes

A strong enrolment policy is essential for any school managing a waitlist. Every decision should be guided by this policy, and it should be clearly visible and accessible. This transparency helps manage parents’ expectations from the outset and avoids any surprises down the track.

Being open about your admissions process, timelines and what parents can expect is crucial for keeping families happy. This can be achieved through comprehensive FAQ documents on your website and using tools like Digistorm Funnel to send automated reminders and updates to parents. This will also lessen workloads by reducing the number of questions coming in.

Training for Difficult Conversations

Equip your admissions team with the skills to handle tough conversations empathetically. In larger teams, establish a consistent approach to these discussions so that everyone is on the same page. For smaller teams or solo admissions officers, building a network with other schools can provide valuable support and spark ideas.

Utilising Technology to Find Better Fit Families

Tools like Digistorm Funnel can help schools identify the best-fit families through lead scoring. This involves assigning points based on criteria important to the school, such as religious affiliation, siblings enrolled or alumni connections. This method streamlines the selection process, ensuring that the top candidates are prioritised. You may even be able to move some families off your waitlist sooner.

Moving Forward

Managing Waitlists is undoubtedly challenging, especially given how emotionally involved most parents are in the school decision. By implementing clear policies, maintaining transparency, training staff for difficult conversations and leveraging technology, schools can navigate these challenges more effectively. This approach not only helps manage parent expectations but also ensures a smoother admissions process for all involved.

Thank You to our Valued Partners

Thank You …

We’d like to extend a huge ‘Thank You’ to our valuable Strategic and Chapter Partners, who support Educate Plus and the QLD Chapter in our activities and enable us to provide wonderful opportunities to our members and non-members. We ask that you please consider supporting them, so that in turn, they can continue to support us. 

Thank You to our QLD Chapter Partners

Thank You to our QLD Chapter Promotional Partners

Thank You to our Educate Plus Strategic Partners

Connect with Colleagues

Stay Connected…

Keep in contact with your fellow Advancement professionals to keep abreast of best practice, discover new approaches and technologies and gain valuable industry insights.

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