NSW/ACT Chapter Special Interest Groups (SIG): Admissions, Leadership and Marketing & Communications
We’re thrilled to continue our NSW/ACT Educate Plus Professional Development (PD) events for 2025 with another triple-header Special Interest Group (SIG) session on Thursday 12 June at Redlands School.
These events, free for members, are designed to connect and engage colleagues across our Admissions, Leadership and Marketing & Communications streams.
Bring along your burning questions and best tips to share. Each topic will be discussed in small, facilitated groups, allowing you to share your experiences, learn from others, and generate new ideas.
The SIG will be broken up into the following sessions;
ADMISSIONS: Retention & Enrolment Management: Insights from Admissions Experts
This engaging SIG focuses on one of the most critical aspects of school operations –student retention and enrolment management.
A panel of industry experts will each offer their wisdom, wins and challenges around retention and filling unexpected enrolments.
The session will explore challenges and strategies in school and tertiary sectors related to maintaining enrolment stability, conducting meaningful exit interviews, managing the unique pressures of selective school withdrawals, and effectively filling unexpected vacancies. Join us for this interactive event, bring your specific challenges, and tap into the collective wisdom in the room.
Facilitated by:
Saira Ahmed, University of Canberra College
Michelle de Rooy, Norwest Christian College
Pauline Shuttleworth, Image Seven
LEADERSHIP: Promoting Leadership through Partnership
Discover the power of a strong, collaborative relationship between a school Principal and the Director of Community Relations in achieving outstanding outcomes for your institution. Join us for an engaging session to hear invaluable insights from Santa Sabina’s Principal Paulina Skerman and Director of Community Relations and Strategic Engagement Yvette Graniero about their successful working relationship built on collaboration and respect.
Facilitated by:
Yvette Graniero, Santa Sabina College
Paulina Skerman, Santa Sabina College
Mandy Loomes, Brigidine College St Ives
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS: The New Search Journey: How AI is Redefining SEO for Education Marketers
AI is fundamentally changing how people search — and how schools need to be found. With the rise of tools like Google’s Search Generative Experience and ChatGPT, users are increasingly receiving direct answers without ever clicking through to a website. This shift poses a serious challenge for traditional SEO, particularly for schools producing informational content.
In this session, we’ll explore how education marketers can stay visible and credible in this new landscape. We’ll cover:
- The decline of traditional organic traffic and rise of “zero-click” search
- How to future-proof your SEO with structured data, E-E-A-T principles, and AI-aware content strategies
- The growing importance of brand authority, trust signals, and human insight in a machine-curated world
Following the presentation, we will break into small groups to discuss your journeys in this space – to hear your gripes, ideas, and current usage of these new technologies. Each small group will have input and guidance from both Ardent and Educate Plus specialists.
Facilitated by:
Shannon & Jorge, Ardent Communications
Geoff Anderson, Sonic Sight
Lyn O’Neill, Queenwood
Sebastian Wattam, St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill
Thank you to Ardent Communications, the NSW/ACT MARCOMMS Professional Development Sponsor
Following the SIGs, all attendees are warmly invited to join us for end-of-semester networking drinks.
Event Details
Date: Thursday 12 June 2025
Time: 4:30 – 7.00 pm
Arrive from: 4:30pm (Tea/Coffee/Biscuits will be available upon arrival)
SIG Session: 4:45 – 6.00pm
Networking drinks: 6.00 – 7.00pm
Venue: Redlands School, 272 Military Road, Cremorne NSW 2090
Parking: Is available in the underground car park located at the back of the School (Gerard Street)
Cost: Free for Members. $75.00 (+gst) for Non-Members
Don’t miss this opportunity to reconnect, collaborate, and contribute to shaping the future of your network!
