President’s Welcome

To our wonderful VIC-TAS Chapter Members … 

Together with the VIC-TAS Committee, it brings me immense joy to extend a warm welcome to the commencement of 2024.

I am thrilled to introduce the VIC-TAS Committee to you (see full image below). In particular, I am excited to welcome five new Committee members to our Chapter Committee this year. Their expertise and dedication will undoubtedly enrich our endeavours in advancing our industry. As we plan the Chapters’ Professional Development and Networking opportunities for the year ahead, we eagerly anticipate the unique perspectives and contributions each member will bring to the table. 

Emma Amory Director of Marketing, Woodleigh School	Yvonne Au Director of Community Relations Sacre Coeur	Imma Boubouras Alumni, Community & Events Manager,  Presbyterian Ladies’ College	Hayley Galloway Development Manager Trinity Grammar School	Kate Higgins Foundation & Alumnae Relations Manager, Ruyton Girls’ School

And, for our members based in Tasmania, I encourage you to reach out to Anna Beattie and Rob Blandford, who are actively working to provide networking and professional development opportunities in Tassie. This year, Anna Beattie has assumed the position of Regional Coordinator for Tasmania. Feel free to contact Anna with your ideas and suggestions. Our aim is to facilitate additional professional development opportunities for Tasmania members at home. 

Anna Beattie Advancement Manager, The Hutchins School	Rob Blandford Associate Director, Alumni Relations, The University of Tasmania

The VIC-TAS Committee is working hard to deliver events that offer invaluable opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration. We are currently putting together a calendar which includes workshops featuring industry experts, and fabulous networking opportunities, and it is our hope there will be something for everyone eager to deepen their involvement and impact within the VIC-TAS community. 

At the events already held this year, it has been lovely to chat with both new and current members, both at the recent Welcome drinks at Kooyong and the Coffee catchups in Tassie. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Sponsor, Alastair Troedel and the team at Eastern Press, for their generous sponsorship at the welcome event. 

An event that we are eagerly anticipating is the highly awaited Empowering Success International Conference, scheduled to take place in September this year. This flagship event serves as a cornerstone of our efforts to foster global connections and exchange innovative ideas. With an impressive lineup of speakers and thought-provoking sessions, the conference promises to be a transformative experience for all involved. Further details regarding our Chapter catch-up dinner at the International Conference will be advertised in the coming months. 

The success of the VIC-TAS Chapter would not be possible without the generous support of our Chapter and Strategic Sponsors, whose unwavering commitment fuels our initiatives and propels us toward our goals. A special shoutout to our new Partners, Spectrum Analysis, our VIC/TAS Chapter Sponsor for 2024, Eastern Press our Event Sponsor and My World Jewellery as a Promotional Sponsor. 

Recently, the VIC-TAS Committee hosted a Supplier/Partner Networking event, which recognised both current and potential suppliers/partners. This gathering offered a prime opportunity for networking among suppliers, committee members, and other stakeholders, gave us the opportunity to express our gratitude for the invaluable contributions and steadfast support provided by suppliers to Victorian schools. 

As we look forward to the exciting opportunities for 2024, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to advancing the VIC-TAS Chapter and empowering individuals and communities. Together, we have the power to make a profound and lasting impact. 

As Chapter President, I eagerly anticipate meeting you at our planned events. Please take a moment to introduce yourself to me; I am enthusiastic about engaging with you and hearing about your needs and expectations as members of our valued Chapter. 

Thank you for your continued dedication and support. 

Warm regards, 

Tracey Grobbelaar
VIC-TAS Chapter President | Educate Plus

Director of Business Services and Advancement
Siena College

New Member Welcome

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 VIC-TAS Chapter community!

Our next ‘New Member Meetup’ is on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. 

These sessions are a wonderful, informal way catch up with other new Members, and to hear more about the benefits of being a Member and what is available to you on our website. 

If you are new to Educate Plus, click below to register for the New Member Meet-Up.

More Info / Register | New Member Meet-Up

Welcome to our newest members:

See You in Perth

The Early Bird discount, which offers unparalleled savings of $265 off the standard individual rate, closes soon on 31 March 2024.

Don’t let this opportunity slip away – register today and get ready to embark on a transformative journey at the Educate Plus Empowering Sucess International Conference, Perth, 2024. 

Have you seen the International Conference Program yet?

All Streams Covered, and a New Stream for 2024! This Program really does contain something for everyone! In addition to the traditional streams of Admissions, Alumni & Community Relations, Marketing & Communications and Fundraising, the quality and depth of the Leadership stream and the newly introduced People & Culture stream is quite phenomenal and we are so excited about it. I strongly encourage you to invite your Heads, Business Managers and HR staff to attend this Conference with you and your Advancement team, as the content will be of unprecedented value to a vast number of staff in your organisation and will showcase the very best our industry has to offer.

View the Program:

• To view the PDF version of the Program (NEW – WITH SPEAKERS!), CLICK HERE

View the Social Program:

• To view the WEBSITE version of the Social Program, CLICK HERE

Nominate for the Excellence Awards 

Nominations for the 2024 Educate Plus Excellence Awards, partnered by Global Philanthropic, are NOW OPEN! 

Our VIC-TAS Chapter is filled with expertise, innovation, and excellent delivery of inspiring projects, and we can’t wait to celebrate you, your teams and your organisations, at the International Conference in Perth!

We are delighted to invite submissions for the highly anticipated 2024 Excellence Awards. These prestigious Awards showcase our industry and are your opportunity to share your talents or the achievements of others, with delegates across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

We especially encourage you to nominate yourself or your colleagues for the newest Awards:

• Impact on a Shoestring (Across all Categories) 
• Team Award 
• Suppliers Award 

To find out more and to nominate for the Excellence Awards, CLICK HERE

Register

Event Details (Early Bird Closes 31 March – in just 5 days!)
Date: Tuesday 10 September – Friday 13 September, 2024
Place: Crown Perth Convention Centre, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood, WA

To Register:

More Info / Register | International Conference

Have you seen the International Conference Promotional Video Yet?

For easy access to the International Conference Website pages, click on the icons below:

Website	Website	Awards
EDx	Social	Speakers
Fees & Payments	Support Package	Accommodation

Thank You to our International Conference Partners

EXCELLENCE AWARDS PARTNER	GOLD PARTNER

WELCOME EVENT PARTNER	CONFERENCE CELEBRATION PARTNER

SILVER PARTNER – FUNDRAISING	SILVER PARTNER – MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS	SILVER PARTNER – ALUMNI & COMMUNITY RELATIONS

SILVER PARTNER – LEADERSHIP

PHOTOBOOTH PARTNER	COFFEE STATION PARTNER	DESTINATION PARTNER

Upcoming Events

Save the Date! Below are a host of upcoming events that we’re in the midst of planning for you!

Further details about each of these events will be made available shortly. But for now … make sure to put these dates in your Diary. We can’t wait to see you there!

Event | Coffee Catch-Up

Date: Wednesday 8 May 2024
Time: 10am-11am
Place: 2 Locations:

• Sacred Heart, Geelong
• Dish and Spoon, Camberwell

Event | Networking / SIG / PD (VIC)

Date: Friday 7 June 2024
Time: 10am–11.30am
Place: Mentone Girls Grammar 
Presenter: Susie McErvale, Founder and Host of the Let’s Check In Podcast

Event | Networking / SIG / PD (TAS)

Date: TBC (Week commencing 3 June)
Time: TBC
Place: TBC (Northern Tasmania)
Focus: Alumni / Donor Stewardship

Event | People and Culture

Date: Thursday 13 June 2024
Time: 10am
Place: Siena College
 

More details to follow shortly!

We look forward to welcoming you to these events! 

VIC-TAS Members Welcomed with Style!

Such a Great Way to Start the Year!

 The VIC-TAS Chapter welcomed the new year with Chapter Drinks, held on Wednesday 6 March 2024. 

Members enjoyed a very pleasant evening of networking, connection and camaraderie at Kooyong Tennis Club. 

It was terrific to have both new and existing members in the room as well as our sponsor for the night Eastern Press and two of our Sponsorship Partners – Spectrum Analysis and Blue Boat present. 

Our President, Tracey Grobbelaar addressed attendees, welcoming them and the VIC-TAS Committee to the Event and outlined the Committees’ plans for opportunities to connect and network within the Chapter throughout the year. 

Partner Profile

Spectrum Analysis is proud to be a Victorian / Tasmanian Chapter sponsor for Educate Plus.

We can help your school make long term, well-informed business decisions.

Our geodemographic analysis services can support strategic plans, see where your current and future students are coming from or review your bus routes.

Our live online mapping system can answer your specific questions at anytime.

We include data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census, ABS Population Projections by age groups, Socio Economic Information For Areas (SEIFA), Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) Early Learning.

Any information you provide for analysis meets all Australian cyber security protocols. A tailor-made online map and comprehensive report will show where your students live, your major and minor trade areas, your major feeder schools, potential future student sources and possible marketing strategies.

Our geodemographic analysis reports provide strategic information for your school for the next five to ten years and the live online mapping allows you to dive deeper when it suits you.

Whether you are a Principal, a Business Manager, or the head of a section of your school – Advancement, Operations, Marketing and Communications, Admissions and Enrolments, Registrar or Bursar, the information we provide can help you do your job better.

As well as general Geodemographics, Mapping and Analysis, we also do special reports for schools such as the demographic data to justify a new campus, details to include in a grant application or a report on your school’s future options.

Some of the major schools in Australia to use our services include Knox Grammar (Sydney), Scotch College in Perth and Adelaide, Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Melbourne and Sydney, Ivanhoe Grammar and Camberwell Grammar and many more.

For more information, visit our website at https://spectrumanalysis.com.au/services/education-analysis or call Peter Buckingham, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Spectrum Analysis Australia on 0411 604 921.

A Night of Thanks!

Celebrating our Partners, Sponsors and Colleagues

On Thursday 21 March the VIC-TAS Committee hosted the first Partner/Supplier event an evening dedicated to networking, supplier engagement, and partnership building.

The gathering provided a fantastic opportunity for all participants to acquaint themselves with the VIC-TAS committee and to explore the Strathcona Year 9 Campus Tay Craggen, renowned for its stunning surroundings and rich history. Among the attendees were Strategic Partners, Chapter Partners, and a cohort of new suppliers, who expressed great admiration for Educate Plus and its members.

We are excited about the prospect of collaborating with both current and prospective partners and eagerly anticipate their involvement in our forthcoming events.

A Signature Piece that Bands your Students Together …

Delight your Year 12 students this year and forever band them together with a My World Alumni Graduation Ring.

Gifting a graduation ring that embodies the values of your school is a great way to engage your Alumni Community. At My World Jewellery, our focus is on ensuring this signature piece is made to the highest quality and the design is one that students will love to wear long after they leave the school gates. We’re a Sydney based company lead by two women with six grown children between us, so we have a good understanding of what students want.

Notable schools we worked with in 2023 are – Kambala, Kincoppal Rose Bay, SCEGGS Darlinghurt, St Vincents, Cranbrook and The Scots College in NSW as well as Caulfield Grammar in Victoria.

We are delighted to have received the following feedback:

• Thank you for your efforts this year on the Year 12 Graduation ring. I hope we’ve started something that future Scots boys can enjoy too. Year 12 Co Ordinator, The Scots College 2022
• My friends and I still wear our rings everyday. I love mine. Samara Kelleher, Kambala Old Girl Class of 21
• I received my ring today and was very impressed with the presentation. Keep up the good work. Denis Hyland – Caulfield Grammarian Class of 64

Our popular signet rings include the following:

• Available in two styles – male (12 x 10mm top) and female (10x9mm top)
• Featuring your school crest on top and the graduating year engraved underneath
• All rings are individually sized for a perfect fit
• Delivered in a velvet pouch personalised with your school crest
• Most importantly we offer 4 metal types – Silver / Yellow Gold Plated/ 9ct Yellow Gold / 9ct White Gold

*For the vast majority of students who don’t wear silver (over 90% of girls), our Yellow Gold-Plated option is a popular choice and still priced to accommodate limited school budgets.

**Rarely do school budgets allow for 9ct gold rings, but we see around 60% of girls’ parents happy to fund this choice if offered to them.

Order & Delivery

**  There is still time for 2024. Orders close end of Term 2 **

The school either allocates funds for our services and gives the ring as a gift or it’s offered to parents as an ‘optional purchase’. In either case My World Jewellery can manage the individual payments via a secure Trybooking link.

Sizing is done on campus. We provide up to 10 ring sizers per school, allowing parents or year coordinators to record the students ring size and preferred metal type during a lunch period or tutor group.

There are no minimum order quantities. Delivery will take approximately 7-8 weeks once sizing is done and payment is made.

About Us
My World Jewellery is an establish jewellery brand specialising in personalised pieces that tell a story. Sydney based, we utilise jewellers locally and offshore.

Please contact us today to discuss how we start the tradition at your school:
Skye Mackay – 0407 493 205
Benita Senes – 0418 700 495

Intoducing … Anna Beattie

Each eNews, we introduce you to some of our wonderful Chapter Members, through a Question & Answer type interview article. 

Therefore, in the hotseat this edition, is Anna Beattie, Advancement Manager, The Hutchins School (TAS) and Regional Coordinator (TAS) VIC/TAS Chapter Committee 

Length of time in Educational Advancement (& prior industry if applicable):  

I have been working in the Philanthropic sector for over 15 years. Prior to joining Educational Advancement I worked in the Trustee industry, where I assisted individual philanthropists and their families, next generation givers and trusted advisors to create change in the social sector. 

In my current role I have a particular focus on The Hutchins School’s Gifts-in-Wills program, Major Gifts, the Make Your Mark capital campaign and special projects.  Prior to joining the school sector, I was Philanthropy Manager at the University of Tasmania and primarily worked with Trusts and Foundations to secure funding to support priority university research projects. 

Achievement / Accomplishment most proud of:  

I love being a member of a supportive, dynamic team who roll their sleeves up and make a difference – the Advancement team at Hutchins ticks all these boxes.  

What professional achievements am I most proud of? A couple of highlights come to mind … Last year we held our third Giving Day and raised over $500K in 12 hours and had a record number of donors – which was a phenomenal outcome. I am proud of our team and the positive impact we are making for current and future students at the School. 

Three tips / words of advice for new members and/or those new to Advancement:  

Be brave … good things often happen when you get out of the office and get involved! Make the effort to regularly meet donors and stakeholders face-to-face and invest in your professional networks. 

Three things you enjoy doing in your spare time: 

I love watching my kids and dog run wild at the beach, hanging out with my husband, David and playing hockey. 

Thank you Anna Beattie! It’s been wonderful getting to know you!

Connecting Over Coffee

Kickstarting the Year with Caffeine!

The VIC-TAS Chapter kicked off the year by hosting simultaneous coffee gatherings in Launceston and Hobart on Tuesday, 20 February 2024. These events brought together a mix of familiar faces and newcomers, providing an opportunity for attendees to chat and share their plans for the upcoming year. There’s certainly nothing quite like meeting in person, and all participants thoroughly enjoyed the events.

Why Marketing and Administration are NOT Interchangable

Article Supplied by Bianca Coleborn, Director of Marketing at Faith Lutheran College | Founder of School Marketing Manifesto

In the intricate tapestry of any school, two pillars stand tall, each playing a crucial yet distinct role:

• the diligent administrators who form the backbone of internal operations, and
• the innovative marketers who propel the organisation forward.

It is important to honour and appreciate the unique contributions of both administration and marketing staff, recognising the significance of each role while also understanding the clear distinctions that set them apart.

The Art of Administration

Administrative professionals are the unsung heroes behind the scenes, weaving order and efficiency into the fabric of school life.

The specialised skill set of administrative staff revolves around organisational management, attention to detail and the ability to streamline processes for maximum efficiency.

They excel in maintaining stability, creating a foundation upon which the rest of the organisation can thrive.

The essential contributions of administrative professionals often go unnoticed precisely because of their commitment to maintaining the seamless functioning of the internal machinery.

School administration staff: we would be lost without you!

The Symphony of Marketing

Marketing is a vibrant, dynamic discipline that focuses on capturing the attention of your ideal audience and steering the school toward growth.

Marketing professionals are the storytellers, brand ambassadors and strategists who navigate the ever-changing landscape of consumer preferences and market trends.

Marketers possess a distinct skill set characterised by creativity, strategic thinking and the ability to engage with external stakeholders effectively.

Crafting compelling narratives, developing innovative campaigns and understanding the nuances of consumer behaviour are all hallmarks of a proficient marketing professional.

Our work extends beyond the school’s walls, reaching out to the world to build brand awareness and forge connections.

Acknowledging the creative prowess of marketing staff is paramount.

Our ability to think outside the box, adapt to emerging trends and communicate the essence of a brand is pivotal in a landscape where differentiation and capturing consumer attention are paramount.

Distinct but Equally Valuable

While administration and marketing roles are distinctly different, both are indispensable to the success of any school.

Administrators lay the foundation for stability and efficiency, ensuring that the internal gears turn seamlessly.

Marketers are responsible for attracting new families, building brand loyalty and driving revenue (something we are not always given kudos for in schools).

It is essential to view these roles not in a hierarchy but as complementary forces – each contributing to the overall success of the school in its own unique way.

Just as a building requires a solid foundation and visionary architecture to stand tall, a school thrives when administrative and marketing functions work hand in hand.

Respecting Boundaries

Never underestimate the importance of respecting the boundaries that define these roles.

Administration and marketing require distinct skill sets, and asking someone from either side to step into the shoes of the other can be likened to asking a painter to become an architect overnight.

To ask an administrator to seamlessly transition into a marketing role, or vice versa, is not only unrealistic but also disrespectful to the unique skills each role entails.

Final Word

Administration and marketing professionals are essential forces – each contributing in their own way to the overall success of the school in their distinct ways.

It is through acknowledging and honouring the unique contributions of both roles that a school can truly thrive.

Let us celebrate the administrators who keep the internal gears turning smoothly and the marketers who paint the external canvas with creativity, recognising that it is the synergy of these roles that propels your school toward its goals.

Bianca Coleborn is a passionate school marketer with well over a decade of experience working in Queensland independent schools. She is currently the Director of Marketing at Faith Lutheran College, Plainland and the Founder and Director of School Marketing Manifesto, which is dedicated to making life easier for school marketers.

Introducing …

Each eNews, we introduce you to one of our wonderful Chapter Members, through a Question & Answer type interview article. 

Therefore, in the hotseat this edition, is Kate Higgins, Foundation and Alumnae Relations Manager, Ruyton Girls’ School

Length of time in Educational Advancement (& prior industry if applicable):

I have been working in Educational Advancement and related industries for 18 years. 

Achievement / Accomplishment most proud of :

Arranging Events where Scholarship Donors can meet their Scholarship recipients are always very special. 

Greatest moment of learning / overcoming of challenge etc:  

Overseeing the implementation of a new database was certainly challenging but taught me a lot. 

Most impactful book read or podcast followed/listened to:  

Any Ordinary Day by Leigh Sales 

Words of advice for new members and/or those new to advancement : 

Data is King!  

Three things you enjoy doing in your spare time:

Visiting markets, cooking and catching up with friends and family.

Thank you Kate Higgins! It’s been wonderful getting to know you! 

Thought Leadership – Dr Phillip Heath AM Writes …

Aspiration and Sacrifice or Privilege and Elitism

Article written by Phillip Heath AM, Head of Barker College, NSW  

The emerging reality of the public commentary in Australian education demonstrates a shift in the mindset – our schools are caricatured as bastions of privilege rather than as symbols of aspiration and sacrifice. This article examines the impact of the mindset and considers how we might influence the future narrative. We must find a coherent answer to the question “what’s the good of independent education in Australia?” The current trajectory in independent schools has the risk of foundering on the hostile reefs of political commentary. Our answer to what’s the good of independent schooling will set a course for the coming decades of educational policy, development and philanthropy in education.

Principle 1: Independent education is portrayed in the public discourse not as evidence of aspiration but as a bastion of privilege.

Principle 2: Despite attempts made by the Gonski Review into School Funding, the failure to implement the reforms has created a resource gap in Australian education and it is perceived to be widening.

Principle 3: Our schools are regarded as some of the wealthiest schools in the land. Barker College, for example, notwithstanding our debt from capital works, is seen as a case in point. Nearby schools are struggling to hire staff and find resources for classrooms. The completion of our magnificent award-winning Rosewood Centre and more recently, the Senior School Hub and the lodging of an expansive SSDA, makes it hard to argue otherwise. With a student enrolment of 2800, our comparative income is also high.

Principle 4: Expressions of social justice through Indigenous Education and, more recently, Humanitarian Education initiatives are important but may not be sufficient to demonstrate an answer to “what’s the good of Barker” nor to negate the three principles listed above.

Principle 5: Public funding of independent schools remains a complex political issue, particularly in the light of the seemingly entrenched social disadvantage. Higher fee schools that receive around 10% of income from public funding (such as Barker) are characterised as symbols of privilege. It will be almost impossible to cut through this perception.

Principle 6: The charitable status of independent schools is under threat in the UK, where there is virtually no government funding.

A way forward:

1. Use public funding while it survives to demonstrate commitment to social impact economics – the hour is coming when this funding will be under threat.
2. Demonstrate public good by
   • Sharing facilities
   • Providing assisted places for disadvantaged students
   • Educating students for social conscience
   • Reducing social and cultural impact of our schools
   • Demonstrate social conscience in sustainable practices
3. Managing the message by
   • Avoiding excessive demonstrations of wealth and privilege
   • Celebrating causes that create social impact, reduce disadvantage and enable change
4. Reduce the division between government and non-government education
5. Resist the success narrative in independent education, particularly in League Tables, Trophies and competitions.
6. Explore ways in which the educational advantages enabled in some of our schools can be shared with other schools
7. Explore a new narrative or new metaphor for independent education, not be arguing that the points made against us but by setting a new story about our public good.

Phillip Heath AM
Head of Barker College, NSW

Phillip Heath achieved a First Class Honours degree in Reformation History and taught at Trinity Grammar School Sydney and King’s School Ely (UK), before becoming Deputy Head of The William Clarke College in Kellyville, and then Headmaster of St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Sydney, where he formed the Gawura Campus for indigenous inner city children.  Author of “Trinity, the Daring of Your Name”, and numerous journal articles, Mr Heath became fifth Principal of Radford College ACT in 2009 and the school received the Order of Australia Association (ACT) Award for Community Service twice under his leadership. He was made a Fellow of the ACT Branch ACEL in 2011, in 2018 was awarded as a Member in the general division of the Order of Australia for his service to education and his commitment to creating greater opportunities for Indigenous students and was awarded the Australian Principal of the Year at the 2023 Australian Education Awards.

Mr Heath was appointed as the Head of Barker College in 2014, and in 2016 it was announced that the School would transition to be fully coeducational by 2022. In 2016 Mr Heath formed the Darkinjung Barker Campus for Indigenous children on the Central Coast of New South Wales and in 2020 the Ngarralingayil Barker Campus for Indigenous children in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. In 2021, following the signing of an MOU with the Yothu Yindi Foundation, Dhupuma Barker commenced as a school for Indigenous children On Country in North East Arnhem Land.

Mr Heath has served on the NSW Board of Studies representing the Independent Sector (2000-2009) and is also a past National Chair of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (2013-2015). He is currently working on an unpublished manuscript titled “One Life at a Time”, exploring his journey and work to create greater educational opportunities for Australia’s First Nations people.

Thank You to our Valued Partners and Sponsors

Thank You …

We’d like to extend a huge ‘Thank You’ to our valuable Strategic and Chapter Partners and Sponsors, who support Educate Plus and the VIC-TAS 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 VIC-TAS Chapter Partner

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.

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.