WA President’s Report | Welcome

Excellence in professional learning delivered in a shorter time frame to minimise your time out of the office, while still providing the same amount of content and with a significant saving…what an extraordinary challenge for any group. Our members spoke of being time poor and facing tight budgets for PD, and our Conference Committee has risen splendidly to the challenge. The WA Chapter Conference, on Wednesday 13 September, has embraced the theme of ‘Create the Change’ so deeply, that even the traditional conference format has been reviewed, and boldly altered to address the current needs of our membership.

While Wednesday 13 September follows the traditional face-to-face conference format that we all know, what would normally be a second and similar day has been replaced with a comprehensive program of pre-recorded webinars, otherwise known as webcasts. No longer shackled by the logistical constraints of transporting speakers in to Perth, this inspired webcast format has given us the freedom to draw on a number of industry leaders from all over the globe. Unlike the face-to-face format where delegates pick the sessions they will attend and those they will have to miss, the webcast format allows delegates the luxury of watching all sessions (if they wish), and at a time of their choosing.

To read more about the sensational professional development opportunities on offer at the Chapter Conference, please follow this link to read more. 

Educate Plus recognises the importance of providing members with ongoing opportunities for professional development. To make the WA Chapter Conference more accessible for our regional, small, low fee-paying or new member organisations, five $400 scholarships are on offer to help cover the cost of registration and other expenses to attend the conference. To find out more, click here.

At the conference our CEO, Neil McWhannell, and Joanne Haynes, Director of Enrolments at Hale School, will be presenting the results from our Admissions Benchmarking Survey. To help ensure this data is as comprehensive as possible, and to enable you to analyse and compare your current resources, strategies, structures and processes, please ensure your organisation has joined the many others that have completed this survey.

To recognise the amazing work of those in our industry, at the conference we will be launching the the VARD Recognition for Excellence Awards. Presented biennially during the Chapter Conference year, these awards will be presented at the AGM on 17 November and recognise four WA Chapter members for measurable excellence and achievement in one of the four pillars of Advancement. Your individual work, or that of your team, is likely to be worthy of recognition and we urge you to consider making a submission.

Finally, I wish to express our gratitude for our sensational sponsors, whose incredible support makes all of this possible. Once again, our Chapter Sponsors Photo Hendriks and Trinity Residential College have continued the long-standing relationships that are so critical to our operations. In this edition we will be taking a closer look at Photo Hendriks and their many services, so click here to find out more. The glorious list of Conference Sponsors also continues to grow, which is a wonderful way for our suppliers to give back to the industry. Joining us as Conference Sponsors so far are Digistorm, Quickmail, Fineline and Tangibility. To all who support us, we thank you.

David Williams F.Edplus

WA Chapter President

Tel: 9377 8522

Email: david.williams@ggs.wa.edu.au 

WA Chapter Conference – Create the Change

Wednesday 13 September

Registrations have been rolling in for the 2017 WA Chapter Conference on Wednesday, 13 September, at Joondalup Resort. Join thought leaders and explore your potential for creating positive change in the workplace. REGISTER NOW

Times:

8.30am – Registration
9.00am – Welcome
9.15am to 5.30pm – Sessions covering all pillars
5.30pm to 7.30pm – Networking drinks

Venue:

Joondalup Resort
Country Club Blvd, Connolly WA 6027

Cost:

• Members $322.73 + 32.27 GST
• Non-members $386.36 + 38.64 GST

Inclusions:

We have listened to your feedback and it was time to create the change. This year we will take you away from the office for only one day, but in lieu of day two we will provide you with an array of pre-recorded webinars tailored to your needs. You can view these webinars with your team and at your leisure over the next six months.

Programme

Please follow the link to access the full programme on our conference page.

Plenary Session: David Faulkner                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Dave is the CEO and co-founder of Education Changemakers and, as one of Australia’s most awarded educators, has vast experience leading change at the school, regional and national level. An expert in the development of education leaders, with a proven track record at the highest levels, Dave matches a powerful grasp on grassroots realities with strong insights at system level.

Plenary Session: Rebecca Cody                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

A committed leader and proactive strategist, Rebecca Cody believes that society is shaped by education and her vision has been rewarded with her recent appointment as Principal of Geelong Grammar School, arguably Australia’s most pre-eminent school. In 2012 Rebecca received a WA Business News 40-under-40 award for her change management at her current school, Methodist Ladies’ College in Claremont, and was the University of Western Australia’s Strategic Alliance winner. Rebecca is currently an appointed member of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s Advisory Committee, and an elected Board member of the Association of Independent Schools of WA. Her PhD research centres on self-efficacy judgments about leadership.

We wish to sincerely thank our 2017 Chapter Conference Sponsors: 

Stay at Joondalup Resort

Educate Plus WA Chapter have reserved 10 rooms for Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 September at the Conference rate of $249 per person. Please request this rate and mention Educate Plus when making your reservation.

Scholarships for the WA Chapter Conference

Educate Plus recognises the importance of providing members with ongoing opportunities for professional development. To make the WA Chapter Conference more accessible for our regional, small, low fee-paying or new member organisations, five $400 scholarships are on offer to help cover the cost of registration and other expenses to attend the conference.

Eligibility criteria – To be eligible candidates must satisfy the following criteria:

1.     Candidates must be a Full Member of Educate Plus. Those with Associate Membership will need to pay an additional $100 (ex GST) to become a Full Member. If you are not a member, you may wish to consider joining so that you can access this scholarship. (www.educateplus.edu.au/membership/join/)

2.     Candidates must work in either:

A regional institution (i.e. tertiary/schools)

                  OR

A small and/or low fee paying institution

                  OR

A newly established institution

Please complete the Scholarship Application Form. The form should then be emailed to waconference@educateplus.edu.au by 1 September.

Successful applicants will be notified by 4 September.

 If you have any enquiries, please contact David Williams, Chapter President, on (08) 9377 8522.

WA Chapter Sponsors

We’d like to thank our Chapter Sponsors:

Our Conference Sponsors:

And our Platinum Organisational Sponsors:

Photo Hendriks: Sponsoring Educate Plus for over 8 years

Established in 1954, Photo Hendriks has over 60 years’ experience photographing West Australian schools. Proudly WA owned and operated, we are the ONLY school photography company that print our products in-house.

Photo Hendriks offer innovative products and diversification as we understand every school is unique. Whether it be school photography, promotional photography, yearbook photography or special event photography…let us capture those special memories.

We are the market leaders in drone photography/videography and whole school photography. With fast, friendly and reliable service our motto will always be:

Our Family Caring for Your School

Please call Marnee on 6143 5497 should you require advice on any photography service.

Educate Plus Membership

I count myself very fortunate to have received an introduction to Educate Plus icons Alex Panarese and Tony Hume in 2005, during my first few weeks working at Kingsway Christian College. They connected me to the organisation that I have been a proud member of for the past 12 years, at which I have gained the kind of support that other industry sectors could only dream about.

The WA Chapter Conference is a big highlight in my calendar and the biennial International Conference is unmissable for my team. I was most impressed with the previous International Conference I attended in Auckland and look forward to returning there for another world class professional development conference next year. It is only just over a year away and well worth planning for so that it gets included in your budget. https://www.educateplus.edu.au/international-conference/

We warmly welcome our new members who have recently joined the Educate Plus WA Chapter and I look forward to meeting you at one of our upcoming events:

Ruston Long F.Edplus
WA Chapter Committee

Report – WA PD

You don’t know what you don’t know – How to make your data work for you!

10 May 2017

Over 30 members enjoyed a fascinating panel discussion on how to segment your data and collaborate within your organisation to leverage what information you have available.

A range of institutions were represented and members were keen to ask questions and learn from the experts.

Broader experience from panellists like Brooke Williams, a Market Insights Consultant at HBF Health Limited, highlighted different ways of approaching analysis and profiling which would be particularly helpful in Admissions.

There was much to take away from the session

– Julie Shakeshaft, Assistant Registrar at Hale School. 

It confirmed for me that data is critical to any role and we should all take the time to utilise it. It can guide your decisions and improve your strategies.

– Natalie Swannell, Director of Development at Perth College. 

Mandy McFarland
WA Chapter Committee

Report – Alumni and Community Relations Special Interest Group

Engaging your Alumni

19 May 2017

The second Alumni and Community Relations SIG of the year was well-attended with about 20 alumni and community engagement participants. Thank you to Murdoch University for kindly hosting this discussion. 

The group brainstormed current challenges and solutions around:

• Finding lost alumni
• Moving beyond reunions
• Managing social media overload

We agreed there are never enough resources, and that the alumni engagement profession is becoming even more embedded in strategy and has advanced in WA. 

The plan for the next alumni SIG is for participants to bring an engagement communication piece to share with the others. With the conference on the horizon, we are proposing to run this next session at 2.30pm on 27 October 2017, at St Catherine’s College adjacent to the University of Western Australia. REGISTER NOW

For ideas and comments on future Alumni and Community Relations SIG’s, please email Jenn Parsons, Alumni Engagement Manager at The University of Western Australia, via jenn.parsons@uwa.edu.au.

Jenn Parsons
WA Chapter Committee

Report – Admissions Special Interest Group

Guest Speaker: Toby Trewin, Director of Innovation and Research at Hale School

15 June 2017

Our thanks go to Kate Parker, from St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls, for generously hosting this SIG. As usual, the SIG was well attended with over 25 Admissions staff enjoying the gorgeous afternoon tea.

We were thrilled to welcome Toby Trewin, Director of Innovation and Research from Hale School, who spoke about the importance and versatility of Innovation in Schools. The attendees were excited to have a play with some virtual reality glasses.

Following a brief Q&A, the networking began in earnest and everyone mixed and mingled, welcoming some new faces.

Laurence Dubuisson, from John XXIII College, has kindly offered to host our next SIG and plans are underway for the annual Christmas Drinks at Elba in Cottesloe!

Jane Hard and Allison Mackenzie
WA Chapter Supporters

Report – Marketing and Communications Special Interest Group

Guest Speaker: Beth Caniglia, Alyka

14 July 2017

A great turnout of marketing and communications staff, from both the secondary and tertiary sectors, attended our final Marketing SIG for 2017 on Friday 14 July. We thank Annette Suann, from Methodist Ladies’ College, for hosting and providing afternoon tea.

Our guest speaker, Beth Caniglia from a full service digital agency called Alyka, presented an overview of the digital landscape covering websites, social media, content and trends. It was a very thorough presentation, and I am sure everyone would agree it was informative and thought provoking.

Those who attend the WA Chapter Conference will be able to hear more from Beth through the release of our pre-recorded webinars. Beth’s webinar will be on ‘How to use Facebook advertising – setting it up, managing your spend, and selecting your target audience’.

Natalie Swannell
WA Chapter Committee

Your 2017 WA Chapter Committee

Becoming a committee member for the Educate Plus WA Chapter is a voluntary role, and many hours go into planning and executing events, communications and programs for our WA practitioners.

We thank the following for their support.

2017 WA Chapter Committee:

2017 Calendar of Events

Save the date for these upcoming events. We would love to see you there.

If you would like to host a Special Interest Group for your sector, please contact Natalie Swannell via Natalie.Swannell@pc.wa.edu.au.