Torrens Valley Christian School wanted stronger enrolment outcomes but lacked clarity on where to focus. Marketing and Admissions were working separately, awareness and conversion rates were inconsistent, and leadership wanted clarity before committing to major investment. They needed to surface the most impactful problem, align the team, and set a clear next step.
There was shared intent, but no shared language. Staff held strong instincts that weren't always aligned. Families were experiencing the inconsistency, sometimes hearing one message on the website, experiencing another on tour, and a third in follow-up calls.
Through our Enrolment Journey Pulse Check, we brought together marketing, enrolments, and leadership for a three-hour Bolsta Clarity Workshop. Beforehand, each participant completed a survey about their role, challenges, and priorities. We used the responses to map perceptions, surface tensions, and design a workshop that met the team where they were. During the session, we walked through the enrolment journey from start to finish, weighing each stage’s value, priority, and impact. The process included light training on the Enrolment Journey Ecosystem and Experience Principles, creating a common framework for discussion. By the end, the team had identified a single high-impact focus area — the school tour experience — and left with consensus, ownership, and next steps.
The workshop sparked genuine collaboration between Marketing and Admissions. The team now has a shared priority, a common language, and more capability to diagnose and improve their journey going forward.
Finding focus accelerates progress. By defining one big challenge together, TVCS were able to build momentum and trust between teams that will positively impact any future investment.
A targeted website re-skin helped a small rural school align its digital presence with a refreshed brand, improving clarity, warmth, and next-step momentum without costly rebuilds or operational disruption involved.
A warm orientation booklet helped new Prep and Kindergarten families feel prepared and cared for, blending practical details with emotional reassurance and reflecting the relational heart of Belmont Christian College from day one.
The initial idea About twelve months ago, I started building a shared language for experience. If you’ve worked with me, you’ll probably recognise some of it: Jobs, Friction, Moments, Heroes. I kept watching the same thing happen in workshops with leadership teams. Halfway through, something would click. People would start seeing their own work differently. […]
Nobody sets out to write confusing communication. Yet somehow, parents end up feeling like outsiders in their own child’s education. Here’s why jargon creeps in, and some ideas on how to bust it.
Jargon is overwhelming. It also shapes how parents feel about their relationship with school, and not in a good way.
Simon Wagg has joined Bolsta Education as Senior Advisor – School Leadership. Simon has sat in the rooms where enrolment pressures, staff dynamics, board expectations, and the delivery of a school’s story all arrive at once.
