From the Chapter President

2026 is already shaping up to be a year of strong momentum for the SA/NT Chapter, with a clear focus on connection, capability and community across all pillars of Advancement. 

We kicked off the year with strong engagement at our first Professional Development and Networking Session, Integrated Advancement: Aligning Strategy, Teams and Leadership, with high participation and genuine cross-pillar collaboration setting the tone for the year ahead. 

Following the Chapter AGM in November, we welcomed a refreshed and highly engaged Committee. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding leadership of outgoing Chapter President, Helen Karapandzic, whose contribution over the past two years as President has positioned the Chapter for continued success. My thanks also to all Committee members, both continuing and new, for their ongoing commitment to our community. 

As many of you know, I will shortly be relocating interstate to take up a new Advancement role. While this transition was not anticipated at the time of accepting the Presidency, I am confident in the strength and continuity of the Committee. I am delighted that Belinda Mears, Director of Marketing, Communications and Advancement at St Peter’s Girls’ School, will step into the role of Chapter President, supported by Victoria Richardson, Communications & Engagement Manager at Nazareth Catholic College, as Chapter Vice President. 

Belinda Mears  SA/NT Chapter President (Commencing 1 April)	Victoria Richardson SA/NT Chapter Vice President

Looking ahead, our 2026 Professional Development Program has been deliberately designed to deliver a high-impact, integrated offering. In Term 2, we turn to Video-First Storytelling, followed by practical sessions across Enrolment, Engagement and Pre-Conference Networking. 

A defining moment this year will be the educate+ International Conference in Brisbane this September. This is a significant opportunity to connect nationally, strengthen networks and bring leading practice back to your institutions. In the lead-up, the Committee will create opportunities for members to connect through coffee catch-ups. With the ‘Grace Period’ for Early Bird registrations closing on 17 April, I strongly encourage you to secure your place! 

I also encourage members to participate in the State of the Sector Survey, currently being conducted, in partnership with McCrindle Research. This work will strengthen our collective understanding of the Advancement landscape while also providing valuable benchmarking data that members can take back to their own organisations to support planning, conversations and strategic decision making. To complete the State of the Sector Survey (which closes on Friday 10 April),click here.

It is also pleasing to see membership continue to grow, now reaching a record 260 members across 59 institutions. 

Finally, thank you to our Chapter Sponsors, Advancedlife and EnrolHQ, for your ongoing support. Your contribution enables the delivery of high-quality programs and experiences for our members. 

Thank you again for being part of this community. I encourage you to stay engaged and take full advantage of the opportunities ahead in what promises to be an exciting year. 

Kind regards 

Rebecca Healy 
SA/NT Chapter President | educate+ 
(Outgoing 31 March)

Director of Philanthropy
Scotch College Adelaide

Welcome to our Newest Members

We extend a very warm welcome to our latest Members, who have recently joined us since the last SA/NT CHAPTER eNewsletter.

We are thrilled to have you as part of our Chapter community!

Shortly you will receive details of the next online ‘New Member Meet-Up’ event, where you will have the opportunity to hear from the team at educate+, receive assistance in navigating the website and community portal, and meet with colleagues across the Network. We can’t wait to meet you!

Grace Period Extended – Make the Most of It!

With more than 800 Delegates expected to attend, the Building Futures International Conference is shaping up to be the defining Advancement event of the year.

If you’re planning to attend, now is the time to secure your place and take advantage of the Early Bird Grace Period, which extends until Friday 17 April. After this date, standard rates will apply.

Designed to connect, challenge and elevate practitioners across every area of Advancement, the International Conference brings together global perspectives, practical insights and conversations that will stay with you long after the event.

Across four days, you’ll hear from leading voices, explore new ideas and engage in sessions that are built to stretch thinking and inspire action.

So where does your practice go from here… and what could shift if you were surrounded by fresh perspectives?

As the Advancement landscape continues to evolve, this is your opportunity to be part of the energy, the ideas and the community shaping what comes next.

Event Details

Date:

• Tuesday 1 September 2026 (Pre-Conference Workshops)
• Wednesday 2 – Friday 4 September 20206 (Full Conference)

Place: Brisbane Entertainment & Exhibition Centre

To Register or Find out More, CLICK HERE 

Upcoming Events

You Are Invited…

We invite you to join us at our upcoming events, where you can deepen your professional knowledge, exchange ideas and connect with peers across our community. Whether you are looking to build new skills or strengthen your network, there is an opportunity waiting for you to connect, learn and grow.

WEBINARS & ONLINE EVENTS WED 29 APR: Transformational Leadership in Practice – Driving Performance Beyond Expectation (Richard Goater, Director of Staff Development & Human Resources, Hale School) THU 30 APR: Building an Impactful Alumni Programme for International Schools (Karen Cairney, CEO, Cairney & Company) TUE 05 MAY: Excellence Awards Series | Fundraising – Giving Day Award (Brooke Down, Westminster School) TUE 26 MAY: New Member Meet-Up

ALL CHAPTER IN-PERSON EVENTS TUE 1-FRI 4 SEP: Building Futures International Conference (Brisbane, BCEC) To view Program, CLICK HERE To nominate for an Award, CLICK HERE Hurry – Early Bird Grace Period Closes Friday 17 April

Excellence Awards – Holidays a Great Time to Prepare Nomination

With the holidays upon us, we encourage all members to take the time to nominate themselves, their team, their leaders and/or their suppliers for the prestigious 2026 educate+ Excellence Awards.

The educate+ Excellence Awards are our premier industry honours, held every two years to celebrate the very best in Advancement across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

The Awards shine a spotlight on the projects, people and teams who are not only raising the bar in the work they do, but also reshaping what is possible for our institutions and communities through courage, creativity and impact.

For more information and to nominate for an Award, CLICK HERE

The Awards will be presented at the Building Futures International Conference, to be held in Brisbane 1-4 September 2026.

	Admissions Campaign Admissions Event Admissions Collateral (Publications to be submitted in the Marketing category under Publication) NOMINATE NOW
	Alumni or Community Engagement Campaign Alumni or Community Event Alumni or Community Collateral (Publications to be submitted in the Marketing category under Publication) NOMINATE NOW
	Annual Giving Traditional Giving Appeal Capital Campaign or Major Gifts Campaign Bequest program or Stewardship program NOMINATE NOW
	Marketing and Communications Campaign Marketing and Communications Digital Campaign Marketing and Communications Video Campaign Marketing and Communications / Admissions / Alumni or Community Engagement Publication NOMINATE NOW
	Workplace Wellbeing Program Outstanding HR Initiative NOMINATE NOW
	Open to any Categories NOMINATE NOW
	Fellows Supplier Award – Leading the Industry Forward Supplier Award – Serving Our Teams Team Award Newcomer Award Mentor Award Volunteer Award Institutional Leader Award Trevor Wigney Award

Connect. Learn. Grow. Post Event Wrap

Integrated Advancement: Aligning Strategy, Teams and Leadership 

The SA/NT Chapter of educate+ kicked off its 2026 professional development program with a dynamic session focused on one of the most critical drivers of Advancement success: aligned teams. 

Held at Westminster School, members gathered for an engaging and practical discussion led by Sarah Sutter, exploring how schools can build high-performing teams that deliver meaningful outcomes across Advancement pillars and the broader institution. 

Sarah brought a unique perspective to the session, drawing on her background as a gold medallist in netball at the Commonwealth Games, as well as her experience working in high-performance environments including with Qantas and as the Chief Executive Officer of Nature Play SA. 

At the heart of her leadership philosophy is a powerful piece of advice from her father, who recently passed away: “Everyone is different. Work out how to get the best out of them.”  

This guiding principle shaped both her sporting and professional career and framed the discussion throughout the evening. 

Drawing on these experiences, Sarah shared seven key elements that underpin high-performing teams.  

• Clarity – The foundation of performance. Teams must clearly understand their purpose and how their work aligns with organisational strategy. In Advancement, this means marketing and communications, philanthropy, admissions, alumni and community engagement working towards shared goals and measurable KPIs. 

• Trust – The environment that enables people to perform. Without trust across functions, silos quickly form. High-performing teams build trust through transparency, shared objectives and open communication. 

• We, Not Me – Great teams understand that success is collective. They prioritise whole-school outcomes over individual portfolios, recognising that meaningful Advancement impact relies on collaboration. 

• People Thriving – High-performing teams place the right people in the right roles and cultivate a mindset that supports growth, contribution and continuous improvement. 

• Leadership – Leaders set the tone. Strong leadership requires a willingness to break down silos, encourage collaboration and lead the alignment conversations that keep teams focused on shared priorities. 

• Accountability – While clarity establishes expectations, accountability sustains them. Shared KPIs and clear measures of success help ensure teams remain aligned and focused on outcomes. 

• Fun and Energy – High-performing teams enjoy the journey. Positive energy strengthens culture, engagement and the reputation of the organisations they represent. 

As part of the session, members participated in a collaborative exercise to identify which elements were most critical within their own institutions. The group explored two key questions: How would we know these elements are truly embedded in our teams? and What systems or structures are needed to support them? 

Across the room, Clarity, Trust and Leadership emerged as the three most important ingredients for building strong Advancement teams. 

Participants reflected that clarity is evident when teams have a well-articulated strategy, clear direction and the confidence to make decisions seamlessly across functions.  

Trust was described as creating a safe environment where team members feel confident to speak openly, take accountability, make mistakes and support one another when pressures arise. 

Leadership was seen as the glue that brings teams together. Members spoke about the importance of visible, collaborative leadership that sets the right tone, builds relationships, encourages shared success and demonstrates empathy by understanding the perspectives and pressures faced by others. 

The discussion reinforced a central insight from the evening: integrated advancement is not simply about organisational structure, but about shared purpose, aligned leadership and a culture where people work together toward common goals. 

For SA/NT Chapter members, the session provided practical strategies and a valuable opportunity to reflect on how stronger alignment within their own institutions can ultimately deliver greater impact for the communities they serve. It also offered a welcome opportunity for members to connect with peers across the sector, reinforcing the importance of professional networks alongside ongoing professional development. 

Stronger Together: The Value of Mentoring

This article was written by Helen Karapandzic F.EdPlus, Director of Philanthropy, Prince Alfred College

Mentoring is often described as guidance from someone more experienced. In reality, the most effective mentoring relationships are built on exchange of insight, perspective and lived experiences. Whether you’re just starting out, navigating a change in direction or looking to take next steps, having someone to think alongside you can make all the difference. 

Last year, I joined the educate+ mentoring program, supporting a dedicated Business Services Manager in the Northern Territory to develop a fundraising strategy. We met only a couple of times over Zoom, yet our conversations covered a lot of ground, from working through challenges to shaping ideas and celebrating progress. What surprised me most was how much I gained in return, fresh perspectives, renewed energy and a deeper appreciation for mentoring as shared learning. 

Mentoring isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being present, offering perspective and helping someone see what’s possible. It also creates space to reflect on your own practice and contribute to the strength of the sector in a meaningful, manageable way. 

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a mentor or are looking for guidance yourself, I really encourage you to check out the educate+ Mentoring Program. It’s free, flexible and really worthwhile.   

Helen Karapandzic F.EdPlus 
Director of Philanthropy
Prince Alfred College 

Let’s Meet a Chapter Member

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

This week the Member in the hotseat is:  Julian Schubert, Marketing and Communications Manager, Encounter Lutheran College in Victor Harbor.

What length of time have you worked in educational Advancement, including any prior industry experience? 

I’ve been working in educational Advancement for 19 years, beginning in 2007 at Redeemer Lutheran College (Rochedale, Brisbane), where I served as Director of Community Relations and later Director of Marketing and Communications. I left Redeemer at the end of 2020 and commenced a role at St Peters Lutheran College (Indooroopilly, Brisbane) as Enrolments Registrar, before returning to my home state of South Australia in 2022. 

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

Two things come to mind from different settings. The first is something many school marketers would relate to: stepping into a new role with fresh eyes and soon after leading a full brand refresh. Seeing a new visual identity roll out across a school is incredibly satisfying. 

The other achievement that brings me great joy is building, rewriting content for, and launching a new website. It’s a valuable opportunity for self-reflection as a school and a powerful way to audit and celebrate the unique offerings you provide. 

What is a significant moment of learning or a challenge you have overcome?

Working in a school means working in an environment that is constantly evolving. Since I first started, the landscape is almost unrecognisable – from printed newsletters sent home with students to the way we now promote ourselves and communicate with families. COVID accelerated many of these shifts, but the ongoing challenge has been to continually evolve and avoid doing things simply because “that’s how we’ve always done them.” If you don’t adapt, you get left behind. 

What is a book you have found particularly impactful, or a podcast you regularly listen to?

A book I’m currently reading is Bold School Brand by Brad Entwistle, Josh Miles and Andrew Sutherland from ImageSeven. While much of the content feels familiar, it’s healthy to revisit key concepts to refresh and sharpen our practice. ImageSeven also produces the School Marketing Journal podcast, which covers a wide range of school marketing topics and is an excellent ongoing resource. 

What are three tips or words of advice for members new to educate+ or new to Advancement? 

• Engage in professional development. Whether through educate+ or other providers, there is always something new to learn and upskill in. 

• Connect with other marketing professionals. Build relationships with colleagues in other schools, whether within your system of schools or beyond. You can learn a lot from what’s working well elsewhere. 

• Review your content with fresh eyes. Websites can quickly become stale if not maintained. Ask a colleague – or even better, someone outside your school – to review your content. What makes sense to you may not make sense to others. 

Share three things you enjoy doing in your spare time… 

I love the outdoors, and outside of work hours, it’s nice to spend time away from the computer and the office and soak up some sunshine!

• At home, I love gardening and projects around the house

• I enjoy walking my dog (Charlie, a 9-year-old Golden Retriever) and taking him to the beach

• And further afield, I love a good road trip (with the dog, of course), or cheering on the mighty Brisbane Lions! 

Thank you Julian – it’s been wonderful getting to know you!

Thank You to our Valued Sponsors

Thank You …

We’d like to extend a huge ‘Thank You’ to our valuable Strategic Partners and Chapter Sponsors, who support educate+ and the SA/NT 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 SA/NT Chapter Sponsors

 

Thank You to our 2026 educate+ Strategic Partners

A New Way to Connect with Colleagues

New Community Circles – A Great Way to Connect…

Did you know … there are now 14 Community Circles up and running on the new educate+ Community Portal!

Becoming a member of a Community Circle connects you with like-minded professionals who understand the realities of Advancement work. It’s a trusted space to ask questions, share ideas, learn from others and contribute your own perspective… and to collectively influence the future of the Advancement industry.

Below is a mix of some of the Circles on offer. If you have an interest in any of the following areas, we invite you to join a Circle: 

• Best Practice Alumni Engagement
• Fundraising Major Gifts
• Digital Safety Issues
• Enquiry to Enrolment – And Everything in Between
• Residential Colleges
• International Student Enrolment
• The Events Network
• Regional Conversations
• People & Culture

To join a Community Circle, or find out more, CLICK HERE

Follow Us…

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

To keep you to up to date with what’s happening at Educate Plus and within your sector, please connect with us on our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.