WA President’s Report | Welcome

The late Peter Drucker, author, educator and revelatory thought leader in the realm of modern management practices, was a proponent of effective data usage. Known for having said, “What gets measured gets improved”, Drucker knew the power of quality data. With this in mind, I wish to reflect on the PD  held on Wednesday 10 May  called ‘You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know’  at which a panel of experts explored what data can do for you and leveraging what you have, in ways you may not have considered. Those who attended I am sure would agree, that it is was both valuable and informative. We will include a report on the event in our next newsletter.

The next cab off the rank is an Alumni and Community Relations Special Interest Group, at Murdoch University on Friday 19 May. Then, on Thursday 15 June at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls, the next Admissions Special Interest Group will be held.

There will be more PD and networking events along the way, but I would like to fast-forward to Wednesday 13 September, which is when we will be holding the very pinnacle of PD opportunities in Western Australia, our WA Chapter Conference (with on-demand webinars released in lieu of day two). I have been observing the sensational progress of the Conference Committee and the program that is unfolding will deliver exceptional opportunities to learn, share and grow as a professional. I am excited about sharing more information with you.

In closing, I wish to celebrate with you some joyous news about the birth of two gorgeous babies in March. Chapter Committee member, Alex Robertson of Wesley College, and husband Richard, recently welcomed Ernest Harvey Self to the world. Proud grandad, Peter Robertson of Aquinas College, reports that while mum and bub are doing well, Peter believes his standing in the hierarchy of the family has been further diminished by the arrival of Ernest, with even the dog outranking Peter.

Robyn Birkin, former Chapter Committee member and most recently at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School, has helped to ensure the gender balance of the population with the arrival of Olivia Grace Birkin. This is the second child for Robyn and husband Ross, and little Chloe is enjoying being a big sister. I am sure you join me in sending both of these families our warmest wishes.

David Williams F.Edplus

WA Chapter President

Tel: 9377 8522

Email: david.williams@ggs.wa.edu.au 

WA Chapter Sponsors

We’d like to thank our chapter sponsors:

And our Platinum Organisational sponsors:

Educate Plus Membership Benefits

There are many benefits that come with your membership of Educate Plus. This encompasses those new to the industry or to those with many years of experience, as professional development is tailored to the advancement roles within the education sector.

To meet the very specific needs of our industry professionals, training courses and professional development are are aligned to four pillars: Admissions, Alumni and Community Relations, Marketing and Communications and Fundraising.

There are excellent state level conferences bi-annually with widely acclaimed international conferences in the alternating years.

The Special Interest Groups (SIGs) facilitate more intimate discussions centred on just one of the four pillars.

There is a wealth of helpful information available in the members’ area of the website, including the Knowlegebank and Members’ Forum to name just two. There’s so much more to membership. For more details visit: https://www.educateplus.edu.au/membership/membership-benefits

We warmly welcome our newest members of the Educate Plus WA Chapter. We look forward to meeting you at one of our upcoming events:

• Tamara Clark, Liaison and Marketing Manager, St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School
• Joanna Creighton, Alumni Officer, Mercedes College
• Mandy Cosser, Community Relations Officer, St Mark’s Anglican Community School
• Rachel Dalton, Manager of Communications & Marketing, Wesley College
• Lauren Kirwin, Digital Content Coordinator, Presbyterian Ladies’ College
• Yasmin McDonald, Archivist, Scotch College
• Cassandra Macgowan, Alumni Officer, Scotch College
• Mark Sawle, Principal, Great Southern Grammar
• Karen Russell, Project Officer, Peter Moyes Anglican Community School
• Sue Webb, Enrolments Officer, Peter Moyes Anglican Community School
• Kylie Yacopetti, Marketing & Media Coordinator, Presbyterian Ladies’ College
• Suzanne Youens, Head of Junior School, Great Southern Grammar

Ruston Long F.Edplus
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:

Report – Admissions Special Interest Group

What did we learn at the 2016 International Conference?

Friday 17 March marked the first Admissions SIG for 2017, kindly hosted by Presbyterian Ladies’ College.

The panel consisted of Sarah Gatica-Lara (Christ Church Grammar School), Julie Cole (Sacred Heart College) and Jo Haynes (Hale School). The topic of conversation was what were the ‘take-aways’, both positive and negative, from the 2016 Educate Plus international conference.

Following the panel, an open forum discussed:

• Janus Consulting Registrars Conference – a few people are attending and they will present a report at our next SIG.
• School Registration – A few schools are currently going through the registration process so there was a conversation about this topic
• International Student Visas- What is the impact of these visas only being available for two years for Primary School?

Attendees:

• Julie Cole, Sacred Heart College
• Laurence Dubuisson, John XXIII College
• Sarah Gatica-Lara, Christ Church Grammar School
• Jane Hard, Presbyterian Ladies’ College
• Jo Haynes, Hale School
• Kelly Lister, Emmanuel Catholic College
• Theresa Loughnan, Iona Presentation College
• Allison Mackenzie, Presbyterian Ladies’ College
• Di Moran, Scotch College
• Kate Parker, St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls
• Susanne Pass, Corpus Christi College
• Cath Philpot, Methodist Ladies’ College
• Julie Shakeshaft, Hale School
• Penelope Stewart, St Mark’s Anglican Community School

St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls will host the next Admissions SIG  on Thursday 15 June 2017, 3.00 pm.

Report – Marketing and Communications Special Interest Group

Round Table Discussion

After the opportunity to meet and mingle over afternoon tea, a round table discussion by the 11 attendees covered a variety of topics, at the Marketing and Communications SIG hosted by Perth College on Wednesday 5 April. Some of the topics are outlined below.

Economic Changes and the Effects

It was refreshing to hear from all attendees that within the marketing and communications field, regardless of the size of the school, we are all working extremely hard to produce all of the content that our offices manage. Some schools have employed interns (paid and unpaid) and offered work experience to senior school students (graphic design) to ease the workload.

Third party organisations can be employed to assist with production of everyday marketing material.

Photographers and Videographers

One area in which responsibilities can be outsourced is that of photography and videography. Those present discussed a number of creative ways such suppliers can be used in a school context.

Attendees:

• Cathy Broad, Iona Presentation College
• Julie Carlton, Helena College
• Tamara Clark, St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School
• Rachel Dalton, Wesley College
• Gabrielle LeBeck, Emmanuel Catholic College
• Sabrina Lynsdale, La Salle College
• Mandy McFarland , St Catherine’s College (UWA)
• Chris Richards-Scully, John XXIII College
• Natalie Swannell, Perth College
• David Williams, Guildford Grammar School
• Taufiq Zainal, St Catherine’s College (UWA)

Methodist Ladies College Anglican School for Girls will host the next Marketing and Communications SIG  on Friday 14 July 2017, at 3.00 pm.

Alumni and Community Relations Special Interest Group

Engaging Your Alumni

When:  Friday 19 May, 3.30pm – 5pm 
Where: Murdoch University – Senate Meeting Room, Building 121, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA.
Parking: Parking is available in carpark 1

At the second Special Interest Group meeting of the year, we will continue discussions on how to build collaborative alumni and community programs – with flair! Also, through our shared experiences, we will further discuss other hot topics in alumni and community engagement.

Those interested in sharing more hot topics in advance are invited to email Jenn Parsons, UWA Alumni Engagement Manager and Alumni and Community Relations SIG moderator, at jenn.parsons@uwa.edu.au. Suggested topics will be explored at future SIG sessions.

Following the discussion, participants are invited to join in for a drink at the Tavern.

Parking Map

Registration: 3:15pm
Optional drinks: From 5.00 pm at the Murdoch Tavern (a short walk from meeting room).

We hope to see you there!

David Williams F.Edplus
WA Chapter President

Admissions Special Interest Group

Join us for the next Admissions Special Interest Group. 

Our speaker is Toby Trewin, Director of Innovation and Research at Hale School. If anyone has anything they would like to discuss in the open forum after the talk, please send them through to registrar@plc.wa.edu.au.

When: Thursday 15 June 2017, 3pm – 5pm
Where: St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls – Room TBC
RSVP:   registrar@plc.wa.edu.au by Monday 12 June

WA Chapter Conference – Save the Date

Create the Change…….

Join us for our 2017 WA Chapter Conference where you will experience change first hand not only through our great line-up of speakers but through our new-look conference format.

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, will provide you with an array of tailored webinars that you can view with your team at your leisure over the next six months.

Date:  Wednesday 13 September
Place: Joondalup Resort, WA

Registrations open 1 June, 2017.

Please fill out our quick survey so we can ensure our webinars are highly relevant for you.

We are incredibly excited about our line-up and we encourage you to join us on Wednesday 13 September at Joondalup Resort to learn how to create your own change.

Margo Bastow F.Edplus
Conference Convenor

National Sponsor Feature – AskRIGHT

AskRIGHT is proud to support advancement in education through national sponsorship of Educate Plus. They work extensively with schools and universities to provide strategy, training in asking, campaign planning and implementation, and prospect identification. Experienced AskRIGHT fundraising consultants and researchers build the capacity of educational institutions to raise more money and to improve their alumni relations.

Visit for more information or email admin@AskRIGHT.com  to register for a free consultation.

Upcoming AskRIGHT event in WA: Adapting to Australia’s New Giving Trends Seminar (Thursday 17 August 2017). Register now!

In this seminar, you will learn:

• How Australian philanthropy has changed in the last 10 years
• How fundraising can adapt to be more effective
• The new Giving Australia data that affect your organisation, and point to emerging trends.

Industry Articles

The AskRIGHT team regularly publish articles  and free online resources  on their blog. We have selected some for you:

• Research on Fundraising and Alumni in Girls’ Schools

View the infographic and download the report 

• Big Philanthropy for Schools: 10 Actions for Principals

Download the booklet 

• Naming for Donors at Schools and Universities: What is it worth?

Read the article 

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.