The Business Of School - Brought To You By Cole Connect

The Business of School

Welcome to 'The Business Of School,' the podcast where we unpack the dynamic world of education through the lenses of business, finance, and technology. Join us as we explore compelling topics, engage in thought-provoking conversations, and uncover the latest insights shaping the future of schools. Whether you're a parent, educator, or industry enthusiast, get ready for enlightening discussions and 'ah-ha' moments. Brought to you by Cole School Experts, your go-to resource for navigating the complexities of the educational landscape. https://coleschoolexperts.com.au/

  1. 3d ago

    In or out? Why schools are outsourcing operations​ with Kristian Brennan

    Kristian Brennan is a leading specialist in independent school transport. As Director of Strategic Partnerships at StudentRide, he works with schools across Australia and New Zealand to simplify their transport operations to reduce both time and costs. Welcome Kristian to The Business of School podcast; it’s great to have you here today. In this podcast conversation, we want to explore a topic that is a passion for both of us and a focus for the respective organisations we both contribute to: how outsourced services can help schools strengthen financial sustainability, operational resilience, compliance, and leadership focus. Anyone who has had experience in a school business office knows that managing operational and business resources within an education environment requires specialist knowledge and deep system expertise. Unfortunately, all too often, when internal capacity is stretched, risks emerge — from cash‑flow pressure and compliance exposure through to staff burnout and systems inefficiency. Ineffective operational management ultimately diverts time and energy away from what matters most: teaching, learning and student wellbeing. WHO THIS IS FOR: School Business Managers, Payroll Officers, HR leads, CFOs, Principals and Board members at independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand. ABOUT COLE SCHOOL EXPERTS We've helped independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand run smarter for over 20 years — through outsourced finance, payroll, HR, software and strategic services. Built for Business Managers who want fewer fires and more focus. 🌐 Website: https://coleschoolexperts.com.au 🎙️ The Business of School podcast: https://coleschoolexperts.com.au/podcast/ YouTube: @coleschoolexperts7356 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5IPIkJBxVpmvnLLCz9MYvl?si=eb7aa2e4ec43455d&nd=1&dlsi=7a115da2e3164aa1 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-business-of-school-brought-to-you-by-cole-connect/id1730637946 #SchoolPayroll #PaydaySuper #SchoolBusinessManager #IndependentSchools #BusinessOfSchool

  2. Sep 11

    The Power of Professional Networks for Business Managers​
with Chris Knaggs

    In our latest episode of The Business of School, Kenton sits down with Chris Knaggs, Business Manager at Assumption College Kilmore and Director of CEBA.​​ Chris has extensive experience in school business and a real passion for the support networks within education. We chat about his experience working in schools and why having a strong community around you can make such a difference.​​It’s a great conversation with someone who deeply understands the business of school.​​ WHO THIS IS FOR: School Business Managers, Payroll Officers, HR leads, CFOs, Principals and Board members at independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand. ABOUT COLE SCHOOL EXPERTS We've helped independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand run smarter for over 20 years — through outsourced finance, payroll, HR, software and strategic services. Built for Business Managers who want fewer fires and more focus. 🌐 Website: https://coleschoolexperts.com.au 🎙️ The Business of School podcast: https://coleschoolexperts.com.au/podcast/ YouTube: @coleschoolexperts7356 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5IPIkJBxVpmvnLLCz9MYvl?si=eb7aa2e4ec43455d&nd=1&dlsi=7a115da2e3164aa1 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-business-of-school-brought-to-you-by-cole-connect/id1730637946 #SchoolPayroll #PaydaySuper #SchoolBusinessManager #IndependentSchools #BusinessOfSchool

  3. Aug 10

    Leading Schools with Purpose with Kenton Newall

    What does it take to lead schools with purpose and create meaningful impact behind the scenes? In this episode, Cole School Experts CEO Kenton Newall joins Head of Software & Consultancy Jamie Emswiler to reflect on Kenton’s journey from School Business Manager to CEO. They explore the lessons he has learned along the way, the importance of empowering school teams, and why strong operational leadership is essential to building thriving school communities. The conversation explores: What people often misunderstand about the role of a School Business ManagerThe culture Kenton is passionate about building at Cole School ExpertsPractical insights for schools navigating today’s challengesThe role of strong operational leadership in supporting school communities Whether you’re a School Business Manager, Principal, or education leader, this episode offers practical insights and fresh perspectives on purposeful leadership in schools. WHO THIS IS FOR: School Business Managers, Payroll Officers, HR leads, CFOs, Principals and Board members at independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand. ABOUT COLE SCHOOL EXPERTS We've helped independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand run smarter for over 20 years — through outsourced finance, payroll, HR, software and strategic services. Built for Business Managers who want fewer fires and more focus. 🌐 Website: https://coleschoolexperts.com.au 🎙️ The Business of School podcast: https://coleschoolexperts.com.au/the-... YouTube: @coleschoolexperts7356   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5IPIkJB... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast... #SchoolPayroll #PaydaySuper #SchoolBusinessManager #IndependentSchools #BusinessOfSchool

  4. Jul 3

    People, Purpose and Play with Julie & Karen

    Julie Gillespie, Leadership Coach Meet Julie Gillespie, founder of Well-Led Workplaces. Julie works with organisations to build leadership systems that strengthen culture, accountability, and connection so teams can perform well under real pressure, not just when things are easy. Over the past few years Julie has worked with Cole School Experts and our leadership team, helping us introduce frameworks like Adaptive Communication, Language of Appreciation, and DISC profiling to give our people practical tools for working better together. Julie’s work focuses on turning good intentions about culture into clear behaviours that leaders and teams can actually act on every day. Karen Hall, People & Culture Manager Karen is Cole’s resident people-person and culture champion. With a double diploma in Business and Management, and a background spanning events, marketing, and administration, she brings a supercharged skillset that keeps teams organised, engaged, and smiling. She’s passionate about creating workplaces where people genuinely feel they belong, because Karen firmly believes that happy humans do their best work. At Cole, she’s here to help make sure there’s plenty of both. When she’s not shaping great culture, you’ll likely find her cuddling animals, planning a party, or herding cats — sometimes literally, sometimes metaphorically. WHO THIS IS FOR: School Business Managers, Payroll Officers, HR leads, CFOs, Principals and Board members at independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand. ABOUT COLE SCHOOL EXPERTS We've helped independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand run smarter for over 20 years — through outsourced finance, payroll, HR, software and strategic services. Built for Business Managers who want fewer fires and more focus. 🌐 Website: https://coleschoolexperts.com.au 🎙️ The Business of School podcast: https://coleschoolexperts.com.au/the-business-of-school-podcast/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@coleschoolexperts7356 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5IPIkJBxVpmvnLLCz9MYvl?si=eb7aa2e4ec43455d Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-business-of-school-brought-to-you-by-cole-connect/id1730637946 #SchoolPayroll #PaydaySuper #SchoolBusinessManager #IndependentSchools #BusinessOfSchool

  5. Jun 5

    The Unspoken Challenges for School Leadership with Darren Clark

    Darren Clark is a strategic advisor, investor, entrepreneur and the founder of Conscious Education, an organisation dedicated to helping schools achieve clarity, alignment and momentum through tailored strategy programs. Darren has led over 40 organisations himself and brings a deep understanding of strategy development, organisational leadership and sustainable growth.At Conscious Education, he leads a multi-disciplinary team, that partners with school leaders, to design and implement strategies that deliver measurable impact, strengthen culture and build leadership capability. Conscious Education supports the development of strategy, leadership and culture programs, coaching and consulting for individual leaders and the whole school, through to ongoing national peak body work. A human approach to developing education strategy and leadership alignment that’s empowering, engaging, simple and sustainable. WHO THIS IS FOR:School Business Managers, Heads of Operations, ICT leaders, Principals and Board members at independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand. ABOUT COLE SCHOOL EXPERTS We've helped independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand run smarter for over 20 years — through outsourced finance, payroll, HR, software and strategic services. Built for Business Managers who want fewer fires and more focus. 🌐 Website: https://coleschoolexperts.com.au 🎙️ The Business of School podcast: https://coleschoolexperts.com.au/podcast/ #SchoolBusinessManager #IndependentSchools #SchoolFinance #BusinessOfSchool #ColeSchoolExperts

  6. May 22

    A Banking Perspective on Challenges & Opportunities for Schools Today with Damien Hoffman

    Damien Hoffman has nearly 25 years of banking experience, including client relationship management, operations, risk and organisational redesign roles. For over a decade, Damien has been a member of NAB’s Government, Education & Community specialised banking division, with Independent and Catholic schools being a key component of that portfolio. The insights and experience from Damien’s banking career are supplemented by his not-for-profit board experience within the Community Housing Sector and he is currently the Chair of the Advisory Board for a school within the Brisbane Catholic Archdiocese.

  7. May 7

    How AI Can Support Business Workflows in Schools​ - Lee Green

    With over 20 years’ experience at the intersection of business, technology, and AI, Lee Green, Sales Director at Ellby, brings a practical lens to digital transformation. In this episode, we explore how organisations can bridge the gap between business needs, AI, and technology solutions, where workflow automation can create meaningful efficiencies, and the common process bottlenecks holding businesses back. Known for his collaborative and solutions-focused approach, Lee shares practical insights into simplifying complex operations, streamlining workflows, and unlocking real business value through tailored AI solutions. Tune in to discover how organisations can work smarter and embrace AI in a practical, scalable, and impactful way.

  8. Apr 2

    The Wonders of Outsourced​ School Payroll​

    Anne-Maree Ironside is a CPA and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, with experience in finance leadership across education and various other commercial sectors. She has a strong track record in managing cross-functional teams from Finance, HR, Marketing, IT and Facilities Management. Her current role is the Business Manager at The Pittwater House Schools on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

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About

Welcome to 'The Business Of School,' the podcast where we unpack the dynamic world of education through the lenses of business, finance, and technology. Join us as we explore compelling topics, engage in thought-provoking conversations, and uncover the latest insights shaping the future of schools. Whether you're a parent, educator, or industry enthusiast, get ready for enlightening discussions and 'ah-ha' moments. Brought to you by Cole School Experts, your go-to resource for navigating the complexities of the educational landscape. https://coleschoolexperts.com.au/

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