Your school doesn’t have a financial problem. It has a control problem.
Many schools think they have a financial problem. But what they really have is a control problem. In this post, we unpack why simply ‘fixing the finances’ isn’t enough to break the cycle of budget blowouts, last-minute scrambles and unclear accountability. True change comes when you take back control of your finance function in a way that’s sustainable, calm and confident.

The Cole team spent time meeting new friends that are interested in getting a better grasp on their business functions at their schools and re-connecting with old friends. For us, it's all about relationships; the cultivation of strong, affirming relationships that just make schools operate smoother. We also took the opportunity to strengthen our strong relationships with FACTS, AISNSW, and TASS and the great people that make these organisations work so well.

Just some numbers:
Over 18,000 km travelled, 5 days of networking, 12 staff, 2 Gala events, 3 presentations, over 7500 words in those presentations, 500+attendees, and 100+ stress apples given away (I think our staff may have deserved some).

Schools from all over have heard about our new services and on the importance of engaging more than just one team when reviewing your eco-system. They have been privy to some tips and tricks to get the best out of your systems, some insightful thoughts on finance, and given an understanding that People, Policies, Programmes and Partnerships are all part of the "secret sauce" that keeps your school running.

Behind every great solution is an even greater team! ✨

We recently had two epic Strategic Planning days, and it was all about our incredible Cole School Experts crew.

From group activities to diving deep into learning and growth, these days were packed with fun, laughter, and serious brain-power. It was also a fantastic opportunity to re-evaluate and redefine our values and core purpose, ensuring they continue to guide everything we do.

This is how we keep sharpening our skills, bonding as a team, and truly working in our awesomeness to bring the best to your school.

Because when our team thrives, so do the schools we support!

Getting your data migrated is one of the most important parts of the process. So how do you get it right? Start early, and engage an expert to guide you through it. 

In a recent article, a vendor highlighted Parker IT as being in the top 1% of schools for data migration based on their work at Carey Baptist College. If you’d like to know how they achieved that, take a look at Parker IT Founder; Mike Parker's LinkedIN article—or get in touch with him for a chat.  

Fraud prevention may not always feel urgent for school finance teams, but small process gaps can quickly turn into big risks. Outdated policies, duplicate payments, and unchecked supplier records often slip under the radar until it’s too late. What if your school could spot these vulnerabilities early and fix them before they become problems?

In this blog from Alii, they share a practical fraud health check that helps schools strengthen financial controls, protect budgets, and reduce admin pressure. From aligning policies with practice to cleaning supplier records and tightening system access, small changes can make a big difference.

Alii is committed to helping schools safeguard their finances with smarter, safer, and easier accounts payable processes. 

Many areas that were expected to grow when the ABS (for the Department of Health) released their population forecasts in 2019 seem to be heading in a different direction by the latest ABS forecasts released in October 2024, covering the period 2022 - 2032. Much of this population optimism is now an anticipated reduction, especially in school age children.

As financial stress continues to affect many Australians, it's more important than ever to support our people in building financial confidence and security.

Why review your financial wellness?

Taking time to review your financial wellness helps reduce stress, improve decision-making, and build long-term security—empowering you to take control of your future with confidence. 

Padua College, an independent Catholic school in Queensland with 1,500+ students, was one of the first schools in Australia to adopt FACTS School Management (then known as PCSchool) in the 1990s. Today it remains core to operations, streamlining processes, reducing admin and supporting growth.

“FACTS is great when it comes to capturing complex family relationships and managing
communication accordingly,” says Sue Kaminski, Database Manager.

Padua’s implementation of FACTS Tuition Management was a game-changer, cutting debt by 15% and reducing manual payments by 80% within two years.

This video highlights the leadership responsibility of shaping professional learning that drives whole-school growth. Effective development days are more than calendar events,  they’re strategic opportunities for leaders to set direction, foster collaboration, and build momentum for the year ahead. With January sessions approaching, this perspective underscores how intentional planning can strengthen staff engagement and align development with the school’s long-term vision.