Everyone knows the media is a powerful medium to promote your school. Many local newspapers have regular features which focus on schools. Take advantage of these free opportunities to provide stories about what is happening in the life of your school. To take it a step further, Steve Harrison in his Publicity & Publishing Tips suggest that you don’t just tell another story about your school.
The goal is to position your school as solving problems and thinking about big issues. Steve also says “Don’t pitch your expertise. Pitch a story about problems your expertise helps people solve.” Different hooks attract different media.
Here are some ideas to consider talking about:
• Educational trends and changes you are seeing
• How to deal with teenagers
• Top 10 Study Tips from Exam markers
• The importance of sleep for students
‘Managing the Media’ is a Module in the popular > Diploma in School Marketing. This is a six month distance education course offered by the Centre for Marketing Schools. One of our current students, Dirk, says, “I am thoroughly enjoying the course and the reading. What I learnt in Module 1 helped me get my current job”. Semester 2 begins in June.
You can read lots of student testimonials from around the world.Does your website enable prospective parents to see inside your school? While Hagley College’s website does have quite a bit of text it is their use of photos and videos which tell more of the story. How better to showcase thetalents of students than with a series of videos > News Events at Hagley
Several years ago I attended a conference where the keynote speaker was Dr Barrett Mosbacker. In an age where technology promises so much he reminded us that teachers are still vital – unless they are replaceable. In his article ‘Do We Need Teachers or Are They Becoming Obsolete?’ he reminds us of the human element of teaching…
“Transmitting knowledge is necessary for a good education but is not sufficient. Teaching and educating are not necessarily synonymous. No matter how sophisticated our technology becomes, it is doubtful that it can replace educators. Here is why.
The transfer of information does not:
• Equal nor impart wisdom
• Provide a role model
• Convey passion and a love of a subject
• Discipline
• Build relationships nor teach how to navigate difficult relationships
• Add the emotional element vital to learning
• Question deeply by engaging in Socratic dialog
• Mentor students
• Serve students
• Pray for students
• Love students
Technology can only be conceived as a replacement for traditional classroom teachers if we reduce teaching to the transfer of information, drilling skills, and preparation for test taking. Sadly, too many teachers have been reduced to this mundane level: such teachers ARE replaceable.”
The Centre for Marketing Schools is an international network of people passionate about schools. Founded by Dr Linda Vining the Centre is now led by Neil & Jenny Pierson. Neil is a Storyteller. His stories are designed to encourage, equip and connect over 1,000 school marketers.
Join us. Together we can learn, share ideas and tell the unique story of our school community.
