Committee Member in the Spotlight
Mrs Jill Jansons
Director, Marketing & Community Relations
St Philip’s College, Ulpaya Rd, Alice Springs NT 0870
If were to write a book about yourself, what would you call it?
Table 20. I have a group of friends and we meet every Saturday for breakfast. We are constantly getting the number 20 for our table so we call ourselves the Table 20 girls. For me it represents the importance of friends and family.
What do you like most about Educate Plus?
The networking opportunities, the sharing of ideas and the generosity of the members. If you send an email or have a question for your network, there is inevitably someone who will be able to assist or guide you or point you to a person who can help.
How has Educate Plus helped you in your career development.
Being based in Alice Springs we are remote, but the knowledge and ideas you come away with after a conference or Master Class session is invaluable. You can go away from a conference or PD thinking, “Wow… that’s a great idea!” Or you can also feel reaffirmed knowing that, “We’re doing okay …”
What is the most rewarding part of your role at St Philip’s College?
That’s a really hard question to answer as there are many rewarding aspects. It ranges from being able to support our staff, students, parents and community. It’s being in a position to promote the amazing outcomes achieved by our students and staff. Contributing to our culture. We have an amazing team of people who go above and beyond to ensure our students aren’t disadvantaged by distance, and then witnessing our students accept the plethora of opportunities offered to them and seeing them grow. I could go on and on…
How did you first learn about Educate Plus?
A colleague went to a conference in Adelaide over 9 years ago and came back and said how valuable it was, and having attended four international conferences it still doesn’t disappoint.
Who would you like to be for a day?
No one in particular, but I’ve always thought it would be good for each of us to do someone else’s job for a day, so we learn to appreciate the skills required and the challenges everyone faces each day. (But if really pressed, I would love to have had the sharp wit of Robin Williams and Billy Connelly.)
Favourite movie?
Too limiting…. I’m a romantic comedy tragic – First Wives Club, The Holiday, Love Actually and for something different Shawshank Redemption and Dead Poet’s Society.
What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
Cliché – but my family and friends.
Who has had the biggest impact on your career thus far and why?
I’ve learnt and continue to learn so much from all my current and past colleagues and bosses. But it’s my husband who has supported me and has been so patient and understanding with the crazy hours and demands that working in Advancement brings with it.
Favourite travel spot?
Internationally – Lake Como, Italy and domestically – Palm Cove, Queensland.
What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Not sure I’ve had a ‘weird’ job, but I did work in the cash office at K-Mart when I was at uni, and you felt a little like the ‘Sing a Song of Sixpence’ nursery rhyme (except we didn’t keep the money of course).
