Advancement and Marketing Manager - Edition 5 - 2019

It’s hard to believe that Term 1 is nearly over. I know that many students, parents and staff members are looking forward to a well-earned break over the Easter holidays.

It’s been a great term for my team as we introduced our new app, School Star, to the School community and we have been overwhelmed by how well the staff and parents have embraced our new communications tool. From speaking with our friends at School Star, we have been told that our pick up is much faster than other school clients they have and they are looking forward to working with us to enhance all of the features available to us via this platform. We already have over 700 subscribed users to School Star so a huge thank you for embracing this so positively. I know that as a parent, I can’t wait to have this as my go-to app as an e-commerce tool and calendar, all of which we are currently working on.

Our website which was launched at the end of last year is experiencing record visitors (over 20,000 this term!) and it’s great to see that our eNews is being read from mobile devices, rather than traditional PC’s. I’d also like to welcome feedback from our community on how you would like to be communicated with on a regular basis and which stories you are enjoying most, including those that you would like to see covered. We have seen an overwhelming interest in Lauren Soderberg’s eNews updates.

Last week was a key milestone for us as we announced the awarding of our building contract to Sarah Constructions. This means that the Inquiry and Innovation Hub will be in full construction mode by the time we return to Term 2. We are already seeing a surge of interest on future enrolments and are enjoying sharing the Masterplan enhancements with our potential new families to the School. Watch this space also for an exciting new addition to the Masterplan which we are planning to launch for annual giving.

The team are now gearing up for the Women of Westminster Lunch. Please jump online and book your seat or contact one of the names on the pre-allocated tables to ensure you don’t miss out. We are changing things up this year with a Fashions on the Field competition and will have our fabulous silent auction items and goodie bags available on the day. Call your mums and lock away their diaries for a few hours of fun, which we all deserve!

Finally, I spent a couple of weeks in China recently, reviewing our School partners and meeting potential new students. I have been fortunate enough to work in the Chinese sector for many years including managing offices in major locations throughout mainland China. I had the opportunity to join several parents of current students for dinner in Shanghai and Hangzhou. They couldn’t speak highly enough of the education and welcome that their children have received from the Westminster community and their newfound love of SEQTA! Imagine how comforting it is for someone that lives thousands of miles away to watch their child’s educational journey. They had all downloaded SEQTA and Schoolstar and loved that we were moving to app based comms. As you know, China is advanced in the digital sector!

Alison Ave Closure Monday 8 April

Alison Ave will be closed to vehicles on Monday 8 April from 7.00 am to 4.00 pm, due to SA Power Networks having to prepare for the installation of a new transformer needed for the Inquiry and Innovation Hub. The closure will occur just outside Gate 3a on Alison Ave, meaning signed detours will be set up to take northbound traffic around the roundabout into Shetland Ave to Oakleigh Ave and back along Orkney Ave to rejoin Alison Ave. The reverse applies to southbound traffic. Gates 1, 2 (Main) and 4 are unaffected and will remain open as usual. For students coming by foot or bike from south of the roundabout along Alison Ave, we expect the western footpath to be closed, at least. Entering and exiting the School grounds through Gate 4 would be the best option.

Wishing you a restful and happy Easter and I look forward to seeing you in Term 2.

Tanya Jarman
Advancement and Marketing Manager