From the Chapter President

I hope this eNewsletter finds you having completed a successful term and looking forward to the holidays ahead! 

As I begin, I’d like to personally congratulate the SA/NT Chapter Summit Committee for their organisation of an outstanding Summit. There has been so much positive feedback from the event and I am delighted that so many of our SA/NT Colleagues converged upon Victor Harbor for an inspiring couple of days of peer led professional development. Thank you also to our Speakers and our Sponsors, whose contribution made such a successful event possible.

We are now on the home stretch of the year and I am excited to invite you all to two final in-person events for the SA/NT Chapter:

1. 9 October: Reputation, Relevance & Relationships – What PR Really is Today Register Here
2. 5 November: The SA/NT AGM and End of Year Gathering Register Here 

The SA/NT Chapter Committee looks forward to welcoming you to these events!

The Value of Mentoring

I’ve been reflecting on the value of mentoring recently, and wanted to share the following with you, as I really believe it has high impact in establishing connections and inspiring confidence!

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, having someone to guide, support and challenge you can make all the difference. That’s what mentoring is all about – and it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the Educate Plus community. 

I recently joined the Educate Plus mentoring program, supporting an incredibly dedicated Business Services Manager in the Northern Territory to develop a Fundraising strategy. Although we’ve only met a couple of times over Zoom, our monthly conversations have already covered a lot of ground – working through challenges, shaping ideas and celebrating progress. While my goal has been to support my Mentee, I’ve been genuinely surprised by how much I’ve gained myself – fresh perspectives, renewed energy and a deeper appreciation for the value of mentoring and 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’s also a great chance to reflect on your own journey and give back to the sector in a meaningful 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 Plus mentoring program. It’s free, flexible and really worthwhile.   

Helen Karapandzic F.EdPlus
SA/NT Chapter President

Director of Philanthropy
Prince Alfred College

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. We are thrilled to have you as part of our SA/NT Chapter community!

New Member Meet-Up Webinar

We invite all new members to join us for an opportunity to find out more about the value of an Educate Plus Membership and to ask any burning questions you may have. 

The New Member Meet-Up Webinar, specifically designed for new members, will help you to discover the many benefits available to you through your membership, and will assist you in navigating the Educate Plus website to unlock the vast wealth of knowledge and resources available.  

You will also have the opportunity to meet the team from Head Office, and the chance to meet and network with fellow members from around Australia, New Zealand & Asia, who have also recently joined Educate Plus.

Event Details – Save the Date!

Date: Thursday 27 November 2025
Time: 1.00 – 2.00pm AEST. Please check your local times
Venue: Online (via Zoom)
Cost: This is free to attend for our Members. This is a Member only event.

Registration will open in early November.

Welcome to our new SA/NT members who joined since the last eNews: 

New Event – 9 Oct – Reputation, Relevance and Relationships – What PR Really is Today

We Invite You to Join us at the following In-Person SA/NT Chapter Events …

SA/NT CHAPTER EVENT: Reputation, Relevance & Relationships – What PR Really is Today

communikate et al’s Ben Smeaton has lived and breathed PR for more than a decade and has witnessed first-hand how the profession and media landscape has changed. Today, PR offers new challenges and opportunities for schools to build their reputation. 

This breakfast event will be an opportunity to learn, ask questions and network. With a cap of 20 places, it offers an opportunity for all to walk away with value.
Across communikate et al’s 30-years, schools and education have been at the heart, growing reputations through services in digital marketing, PR, brand, content and stakeholder engagement.

Places are limited to 20 so register now.

Please email Belinda Mears with your tea/coffee order once you have registered.

Event Details

Date: Thursday 9 October 2025
Time: 8:00 – 10:00am ACDT
Venue: communikate et al, Upstairs, 200 The Parade, Norwood, SA 5067
Cost: Free for Members and $75+gst for Non-Members

Register Here / Find Out More: CLICK HERE

We thank communikate et al for sponsoring this event

SA/NT CHAPTER EVENT: AGM & End of Year Get Together

Join us for an evening of connection, reflection and celebration as we wrap up another fantastic year.

Following our Annual General Meeting, we’ll raise a glass at the End of Year Get Together – a chance to unwind, catch up with colleagues and toast to the achievements of 2025.

We’d love to see you there!

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 5 November 2025
Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm

• 5:00 – 5:30pm: AGM
• 5:30 – 7:00pm: Networking

Venue:  Caledonian Hotel North Adelaide, 215 O’Connell St, North Adelaide SA 5006
Cost: Free for Members

Register Here / Find Out More: CLICK HERE

If you are an Educate Plus member, please review the AGM Documentation here:

AGM Documentation 

• Notice of Annual General Meeting 2025
• Committee Nomination Form – All nominations must be submitted via this form by Monday 3 November.
• Proxy Form  – All nominations must be submitted via this form by Monday 3 November.

Please find the 2024 AGM Meeting Minutes HERE.

Convenient Online Learning

We Invite You to Join us at the following Online Events …

	People & Culture Conversations: Staff Wellbeing in the Workplace Event Details Date: Tuesday 30 September 2025 Time: 1:00–2:00pm AEST. Please check your local times. Venue: Online via Zoom Cost: Free for Members (This is a Member Only Event) Presenter: Phillip Tascone, Director of People & Culture, Ivanhoe Grammar School Register Here / Find Out More: CLICK HERE
	Gentle Warning, Wise Ways – Rethinking Digital Practices in Advancement Event Details Date: From Monday 13 October 2025 Time: 6 Learning Modules, Self Paced (Recommended 1 per month) Venue: Online via CTRL+SHFT platform Cost: Course pricing includes registration for 3 Team Members, plus access to the CTRL+SHFT platform for 12 months Members: $2997 (+gst) for 3 Team Members Non-Members: $3497 (+gst) for 3 Team Members Register Here / Find Out More: CLICK HERE
	Excellence Awards Webinar Series 2025 – Fundraising Event Event Details Date: Tues 14 Oct Time: 1.30pm–2.15 pm AEST. Please check your local times Venue: Online via Zoom Presenter: Julie McAllister, Head of Advancement & Communications, Barker Thank you to our 2024 Excellence Awards Partner Global Philanthropic for facilitating this session. Register Here / Find Out More: CLICK HERE
	Excellence Awards Webinar Series 2025 – Admissions Campaign Award Event Details Date: Tues 28 Oct Time: 1.30pm–2.15 pm AEST. Please check your local times Venue: Online via Zoom Presenter: Kay Gleeson, Principal, Lourdes Hill College Thank you to our 2024 Excellence Awards Partner Global Philanthropic for facilitating this session. Register Here / Find Out More : CLICK HERE
	Webinar: What is Your Website For? And How Less Can Be More Event Details Date: Wed 29 Oct New Time: 1.00 pm–2.00 pm AEST. Please check your local times Venue: Online via Zoom Presenter: Lucy Borrill, Director and Brand Strategist, LUMO Design Studio Register Here / Find Out More: CLICK HERE

Let’s Meet a Chapter Member – David Botha

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

This week the Member in the hotseat is: David Botha, Director of Marketing and Communications, Westminster School

Tell us something that might surprise us about you… 
I lived in London for nine years and these foundational years shaped my career. The highlight during my time there, besides getting to see most of Europe, was that I helped rebrand the meeting and events business at Lord’s Cricket Ground – the ‘Home of Cricket’ – and we ended up winning London Venue of the Year Award. It was a fascinating challenge balancing heritage with innovation, and taught me a lot about how storytelling can reposition even the most traditional of brands.   

What led you to your present role? What is your favourite aspect? 
I’ve always been drawn to environments where brand and culture are closely linked – where the way we present ourselves externally reflects who we are internally. Westminster School offered that kind of alignment. The opportunity to lead a talented team, shape meaningful storytelling, and contribute to a place with such strong values and ambition just felt like the right next step in my career. My favourite aspect is working across the entire student and community lifecycle – from first impressions through to Old Scholar connections. It makes the work genuinely impactful. 

How long have you been a member of Educate Plus? 
I joined in 2023. 

How has being a member contributed to your career development? 
Educate Plus has provided a valuable network and a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in the education sector. The shared insights, benchmarking and professional development have been useful in shaping what we do, and at times even just to sense check our current approaches. It also just feels good to belong to a network of like-minded professionals.  

Who would you like to have lunch with and where? 
I’d love to have lunch with Sir Richard Branson. Anywhere on a tropical island would be great.  He strikes a rare balance between entrepreneurial thinking and brand purpose, and his relaxed yet driven persona would make for some really compelling conversation. 

Favourite food and why? 
I’m a sucker for a well-prepared fillet steak with a side of mash and English mustard!  It’s simple but always feels a little special to me. 

Where is your favourite travel location and why? 
Switzerland. It’s a place where everything feels intentional – from the design of a train carriage to the way the landscapes are preserved. There’s a sense of calm precision that I find both inspiring and restorative. It’s also where I’ve had time to step back, reflect and reframe ideas with fresh perspective. 

What does success look like to you? 
Success, to me, is building something meaningful with others. It’s not just about outcomes or goals, but about the way we get there – with purpose, creativity and integrity. When people feel proud of the work, the brand, and each other – that’s success. 

Thank you David Botha – It’s been wonderful getting to know you!

Engaging the Next Generation of School Parents

Article submitted by Grant Dusting, Director of Strategy at McCrindle. 

Understanding the emerging generation of parents 

You don’t need me to tell you that the education landscape is transforming. But while everyone is talking tech and AI, our stakeholders are people at the end of the day (at least, for now)! Engaging your parent community means understanding Generation Y (born 1980-1994) and Generation Z (born 1995-2009), who over the next decade will become the dominant cohort of parents. As digital natives expecting greater flexibility, accessibility, and approachable leadership, this emerging generation of parents brings distinct expectations for communication and engagement to schooling. 

Realities for today’s parents and barriers to engagement 

Our latest research reveals parents, despite a strong desire for involvement, are often time-poor. The increasing number of women and mothers in the workforce, and families feeling rushed, highlights the need for flexible school involvement. Common barriers like lack of time and work schedule conflicts exist. Schools must develop robust engagement strategies with clear communication, minimising administrative burdens, and aligning with the digital expectations of Gen Y and Z. 

Shifting parental expectations: from contributor to consumer? 

We’re observing a subtle but significant shift towards a ‘consumer’ approach to education. While parents desire partnership, many view the school as leading, sometimes transactionally. Schools that can reframe this mindset and foster genuine partnership are more likely to have a highly engaged parent community. 

Leadership response: develop a robust parent engagement strategy 

Looking to the decade ahead, creating strong partnerships with parents is crucial for fostering thriving learning environments. Effective leadership demands a robust engagement strategy to enhance trust and collaboration. This strategy must acknowledge the evolving expectations of Gen Y and Z, supporting their involvement, mitigating barriers, and adapting to the shifting parent-school dynamic. McCrindle’s Thriving Schools Index offers a valuable framework for enabling schools to understand community needs, pinpoint barriers, and craft targeted approaches for stronger connections. 

For a deeper dive into these insights and an exploration of the future of education, the full Reimagining Education Towards 2035 report is available. Access it free with your McCrindle+ subscription for exclusive content.  

Download our free Reimagining Education Towards 2035 infographic. 

Sign up for McCrindle+ here.  

Educate Plus members receive 10% off our Thriving Schools Index package – mention your membership when enquiring. 

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.

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. 

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 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 SA/NT Chapter Professional Development Sponsors

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Thank You to our Educate Plus Strategic Partners