From the President

Dear WA Chapter Members

I hope this message finds you all in good health and high spirits.  As we approach the midpoint of the year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the incredible professional development and networking opportunities that are flowing through my inbox every week.  The options have been diverse in offering by way of content, and medium.  It’s great to have the webinar recordings to watch in my own time, or, to attend some great local offerings face-to-face.  

On that note, let’s dive into the exciting news!  Our much-anticipated upcoming local event “Optimising the Customer Experience” is just around the corner, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the program we have lined up for you on Friday, 23 June 2023.  This event will provide invaluable insights into enhancing the customer experience within our educational institutions, ensuring that we provide the best possible support and service to our students, families, and wider communities.

We have invited an outstanding line-up of speakers who will share their knowledge, practical tips, and experiences, and, of course, plenty of opportunities for networking and knowledge-sharing.

I urge you to mark your calendars and ensure your availability on Friday, June 23 so you don’t miss out on this opportunity to grow personally and professionally.  More details and registration information is available here.

I also wanted to remind you to take advantage of your membership by making use of the resources available to you.  There is plenty on offer through our online forums (including social media platforms), webinars, and resources designed to empower you with the latest industry trends, best practices, and invaluable insights.  Make sure to take advantage of these resources to enhance your skills and stay up to date in the ever-evolving world of education Advancement.

Lastly, I want to extend my gratitude to our dedicated Committee members who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make our events and initiatives a success.  Your hard work and commitment are truly commendable, and I am grateful to have such a dedicated team by my side.

Thank you all for your continued support, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Warmest regards

Susie Gill

WA Chapter President | Educate Plus

Optimising the Customer Experience

We invite you to join us …

EVENT | WA Chapter – Advancement for Life

Optimising the Customer Experience – Join with colleagues in the WA Chapter for a full day of fascinating Professional Development and Networking. 

School Principals, Leaders and Advancement Teams are encouraged to sign up to come and enjoy a day of learning and inspiration in the fresh air of the beautiful Swan Valley.

Event Details
Date: Friday 23 June 2023
Time: 9.30am–4.00pm
Location: Maali Room, Swan Christian College, 381 Great Northern Hwy, Middle Swan
Cost: $75 (+gst) for Members; $110 (+gst) for Non-Members.
Includes: Morning tea and lunch. There is also a cash bar available during the Networking drinks event.
RSVP: Click below to Register. Registrations close 16 June 2023.

Program
To view the full Program, CLICK HERE

The Professional Development day consists of three engaging Keynote sessions:

• Keynote #1 – Digital Marketing Strategy in an Evolving Digital Landscape. Founder of Western Australia’s most creative Digital Marketing Agency, Paul Dean will explore the ever-evolving digital landscape and discuss strategies that will give your school the edge over its competitors.
• Keynote #2 – Exploring Culture: A Local and Global Perspective. Dr Darnelle Pretorius (Swan Christian College Principal) and Dr Ray Bartell (Swan Chrisitan College Business Manager) will lean on more than 40 years of experience leading schools while they explore instilling a culture in schools from a local and international perspective.
• Keynote #3 – CX: The Customer Experience Journey – Admissions for Life. In the day’s final session, Dr Michael Valos (Head of Marketing Faculty at Deakin University, Melbourne) will address the Customer Experience and share his experience consulting to Australia’s leading brands and marketing departments. Dr Valos currently chairs the Industry Advisory Board for ‘Marketing Magazine’, having spent nearly 30 years at Deakin University and the past 15 years as the facilitator of 12 different Chief Marketing Officer focus groups comprising Melbourne’s most influential on key issues. 

In addition, there will be an opportunity to hear from our Partners, Scott  Print and Fotoworks, and from the Educate Plus CEO, Mandy McFarland.

The icing on the cake will be the delicious morning tea and lunch catered by the Swan Christian College Hospitality students under the guidance of internationally experienced chefs, and, the end-of-day Networking with colleagues over drinks at Mandoon Estate.

Registrations are now open! 

More Info / Register | Optimising the Customer Experience

How Do Alumni and Fundraising Professionals Work Best Together

We invite you to join us … 

EVENT | WA Chapter – How Do Alumni & Fundraising Professionals Work Best Together

The WA Chapter would like to invite Alumni & Fundraising professionals to this SIG. It’s an opportunity for people in these two areas to come together & network, and in some smaller schools the same person will be doing both jobs!

SIGs are very casual get-togethers where you can bring your questions and share information with fellow members in your Advancement stream.

Event Details
Venue: Senior School Hub, Shenton College, 227 Stubbs Tce, Shenton Park.
Date: Wednesday 14 June 2023
Time: 3pm-5pm AWST
Facilitators: Meredith Eddington, Alumni Manager, Shenton College & Suzanne Pelczar, Executive Officer, PLC Foundation
Costs: Free for members; $35 (+gst) for Non-Members.

If there is a burning issue you’d like discussed, please forward any other questions beforehand to Meredith Eddington.

Otherwise just come along ready to discuss issues of interest with colleagues. We look forward to welcoming you to this event!

Registrations are now open! 

More Info / Register | Alumni & Fundraising

Upcoming Webinars

June is Jam-Packed with Professional Development Opportunities!

We invite you to join us from the comfort and convenience of your own desk! 

Facilitating Digital Community Engagement

Event Details
Date: Thursday 8 June, 2023
Time:  11am-12pm AWST 
Place: Online (via Zoom)
Cost: Free for Members; $35 (+gst) for Non-Members
Presenter: Merryn Parks, ToucanTech

More Info / Register | Facilitating Digital Community Engagement

Let’s Go On An Enrolment Journey

Event Details
Date: Tuesday 13 June, 2023
Time: 11am-12pm AWST 
Place: Online (via Zoom). 
Cost: Free for Members; $35 (+gst) for Non-Members
Speaker: Julie Drew, Registrar, Strathcona Girls Grammar, Melbourne

More Info / Register | Enrolment Journey

Excellence #5

Event Details
Alumni &/or Community Publication

Date: Thursday 15 June 2023
Time: 11am-12pm AWST
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Cost: Free for Members; $35 (+gst) for Non-Members
Presenters:

• Rebecca Bauer, Old Girls’ Association, Somerville House
• Susan McGinley, Director of Advancement, The Womens’ College at UQ

Facilitator: Global Philanthropic

More Info / Register | Excellence #5

Advanced Virtual Presentation Skills

Event Details
Date: Tuesday 20 June 2023
Time: 11am-12pm AWST
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Cost: $35 (+gst) for Members; $50 (+gst) for Non-Members
Presenter: Caelan Huntress

More Info / Register | Presentation Skills

Register now! We are looking forward to welcoming you online to participate in these Zoom Webinars!

Summit – Save the Date

EVENT | WA NEXUS Summit

Educate Plus is in the swing of ‘Summit Season’, with the first Summit held last week, and each Chapter now in the process of planning and delivering theirs. The WA Chapter Committee is working hard to plan and create an amazing program for WA Members and Non-Members to experience an incredible 2 days of Professional Development and networking, catching up with old friends and new, and learning from leading experts and experienced practitioners.

We encourage you to save the date, for the ‘not to be missed’ premier event of the year!

Event Details
Date: 2-3 November, 2023

Registration Details
Save the Date: Registration will be opening towards the end of Term 2.

Introducing Steve Wellbeloved …

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

Therefore, in the hotseat this edition, is Steven Wellbeloved, Head of Advancement, Swan Christian College … 

What is your current role?

Head of Advancement at Swan Christian College – I am fortunate to lead a team of five dedicated people who have our College at the heart of everything we do. Our team is responsible for Marketing, Enrolments, Community Relations, Communications and Events and we love what we do.

Tell us a bit about your previous roles.

In my five and a half years in Australia, I have spent all my time working within the Swan Christian Education Association. I spent my first two years in Head Office before moving into school-based roles where I served as the Community and Relations Officer at two schools, three days per week at Ellenbrook Christian College and two days per week at Beechboro Christian School.

For seven years prior to emigrating, I was fortunate to hold the role of Marketing Manager at the World Renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir School in South Africa where I was responsible for Marketing, Enrolments, Tours, Concerts and Events. I planned, organised and managed 11 international concert tours, 23 national concert tours, 14 multi-day music festivals and more than 500 concerts during my tenure.

A highlight of my career was Japan 2017. I was responsible for the organisation and then leading a group of 70 choristers and 10 staff on a 49 day concert tour of Japan where the choir delivered 25 concerts to more than 50 000 people.  

Tell us an interesting fact about you.

I am an avid golfer and love anything fitness related.

How has Educate Plus been beneficial to you in your roles?

Educate Plus has been an invaluable resource for me in my role. Through the network, I have connected with many professionals and built strong relationships with fellow professionals in the education sector. The diverse professional learning opportunities available through Educate Plus have been a great opportunity to expand my knowledge base, pick up on new tricks and techniques and learn from some of the brightest minds in the industry.

Tell us something more about working at the Drakensberg Boys Choir School …

The photo was taken from the front verandah of our home that we lived in while working at the Drakensberg Boys Choir School. It was on the school campus and only 300 meters from the office (yes a 1 minute commute on foot…… oh I really was living the dream😊). This is in the central, Drakensberg, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Also … I served as a volunteer on the Board of the Drakensberg Experience Tourism Association and looked after the International Marketing portfolio. Have a look at this video that we created to promote the area:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGQbM3QfA5w

Thank you Steven Wellbeloved! It’s been wonderful getting to know you!

Making Plans for Advancement in a Changing World

Article written by Giles Creelman, Head of Marketing & Community, Swan Christian Education Association, and Steven Wellbeloved, Head of Advancement, Swan Christian College.

Way back in 2004, British band Keane burst onto the music scene with a nostalgic piano-based number that proclaimed:

‘Everybody’s changing, but I still feel the same…’

The singer longed for things to remain as they used to be, but the inevitable was happening all around him, and he couldn’t stop the onslaught. (And this was before smartphones and social media!)

Almost 20 years later, the sense of change in schools can lead to exhaustion, frustration, and a sense of sentimentality for the simple life we used to lead.

Sadly, our environment is disrupted regularly.  It is our role to ensure that our schools and colleges run as smoothly as possible so that our college brand is maintained, and the highest level of service can be delivered to our families.

How does the world of Advancement adjust to the ongoing demands within the field of education?

As new leaders emerge in Advancement, continued growth and development must remain at the forefront of what we do. Think about the skills that will set you apart from your competition.

But wait! Before you do that, focus on developing soft skills. These are imperative as we gain the trust of our teams and create an environment where people have the autonomy to be creative and thrive.

Trust is built on five components, with empathy being the foundation. Reliability, competency, integrity, and vulnerability build on this.

Once trust is built and our teams are thriving, we should continue to create a fun work environment, set goals, delegate wisely, think about lasting solutions, communicate clearly, make time for our staff and celebrate the wins – big and small!

As we lead our teams in the post-pandemic world, maintaining a fun and productive work environment for our teams is of the highest importance, as is ensuring that succession planning is in place for all team members. We are navigating a world of low unemployment rates, where jobs are plentiful.  We need to be aware of the small things that might trigger our team members to look to ‘jump ship’ for the next green pasture that looks all too promising when difficulties arise.

A focus on continual and adequate professional development is as essential as providing opportunities for our teams to network with like-minded professionals and grow through peer learning.

Where do we look for our inspiration in school marketing?

Earlier this year, we met Dr David Willows and Ms Suzette Parlevliet,  formerly of The International School of Brussels, Belgium. They have launched ‘Yellowcar’ – an initiative that looks at schools as ‘experiences’ and focuses on designing these experiences for maximum impact.

The authenticity of this venture and the combined experience of these hugely knowledgeable experts makes for exciting insights and an entirely new way of looking at customer interaction.

Take Away Tips:

• Focus on developing soft skills
• Note skills that set you apart from your competition
• Five pillars of building trust: empathy, reliability, competency, integrity, and vulnerability
• Create a fun work environment
• Set goals
• Delegate wisely
• Consider lasting solutions
• Communicate clearly
• Make time for staff
• Provide continual professional development
• Seek our innovation in marketing
• Celebrate the wins

Giles Creelman,  Head of Marketing & Community at Swan Christian Education Association.  SCEA is a system of seven independent schools in Perth, Western Australia. Creelman has led teams in educational institutions in the United Kingdom, Qatar and Malaysia.

Steven Wellbeloved, Head of Advancement at Swan Christian College, SCEA’s largest school. Wellbeloved draws upon years of experience leading a number of prestigious schools, having worked  in Australia and South Africa over the past 12 years.

Thank You To Our Valuable Partners

We’d like to extend a huge ‘Thank You’ to our valuable Educate Plus Strategic Partners and our WA Chapter Partner, who support us 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 WA Chapter Partner

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Thank You to our Educate Plus Strategic Partners

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

Our next ‘New Member Meetup’ is on 7 June, 2023. Closer to the date, we will send you a link to participate in this online session, which is open to all new Members across all Chapters. 

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

Stay Connected

Stay connected 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.