President’s Welcome

For the many of us, things are getting closer to normal with schools already back and universities hopefully returning in semester two. Residential Colleges numbers, I hope, are on their way back up to normal, …… but what is the new normal?

I know that I, during this time, have needed to be more:

• agile
• creative
• succinct with communication
• strategic

We have changed! So, what are we going to keep and what are we leaving behind? Is your institution looking at this?

Educate Plus certainly won’t be going entirely back to where they were. With the overwhelming success of the use of Zoom for professional development and SIGS, the use of the technology will continue. The opportunity to network with other members from all over Australia and New Zealand has been fabulous. The diversity and volume of offerings has been incredible. With volunteers running the Chapter, this alone has taken the pressure off trying to find diverse presenters.

A huge thank you to Sheila in Head Office who coordinates the Zoom activity and holds our hands while we get familiar with this new technology. Our Facebook Ads webinar with Mara Roberts has had the highest attendance nationally, and Susie Gill’s Admissions SIG brought a national crowd. Thank you to both of these presenters for doing such a great job and sharing their knowledge.

While Zoom has been great, we still need face to face networking opportunities and with restrictions lifting third term (late July onwards) will see some events planned for this purpose. We will keep you posted!

In the meantime, stay safe and stay connected with Educate Plus.

Margo Bastow
WA Chapter President