Strategic School
Marketing Retreats
Finding time to write a marketing plan for your school can sometimes feel like Mission: Impossible.
That’s why School Marketing Manifesto has developed the Strategic School Marketing Retreats.
Designed to help you craft your annual marketing plan and build your strategic expertise, our retreats provide a supporting, uplifting environment where you’ll be surrounded by peers facing the same challenges as you.
At the end of every Retreat, we see our guests leaving with their spark reignited.
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Stunning locations where you can retreat from the busyness of school life.
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Connect with like-minded, creative and driven school marketers.
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Collaborate with industry experts from the school marketing space.
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Spend two days reflecting, forecasting, strategising and thinking big.
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Leave with your 2027 marketing plan, sorted.
Here’s the thing: it’s hard to zoom out when you’re stuck ticking off last week’s to-do list. At the Strategic School Marketing Retreats, we step away from the daily grind so you can look long-term at your big marketing goals.
You’ll come away with:
Next year’s marketing strategy, sorted.
A whole new perspective on your day-to-day.
A network of fellow marketers to lean on when things get hairy.
It’s part planning, part learning, and part having a really, really good time.
The 2026 Retreat at the Sofitel Broadbeach is SOLD OUT. Click the link below to get on the waitlist for the 2027 Retreat.
No one gets school marketing like a room full of school marketers.
The highlight of every school marketer’s year
And no, we’re not talking about the first day of summer holidays. Here’s what our guests had to say about the Noosa Retreat in 2024.
On the agenda
Sure, we’re escaping to a beautiful and luxurious location. But we’re doing it to work.
This is your chance to tick off big-ticket items away from the constant email pings, team members swinging by your desk, and the thousand tiny tasks you’ve got sitting on your to-do list.
So forget yoga and margaritas, you’ll be creating a strategic roadmap that will help you achieve tangible results for your school.
Who should come?
As the name suggests, the retreats are designed for school marketers. But we’ve seen incredible results when you bring your team along too.
This means you can work on your marketing plans together, maximising your time and getting you ready to hit the ground running on your return.
In the past, we’ve had attendance (and five-star rave reviews) from:
Marketing Directors
Marketing Specialists and Coordinators
Registrars and Enrolments Officers
Business Managers (yes, really!)
Principals
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Our average rating from previous guests is 4.8 stars!
School Marketing Manifesto Alumni
You came, you saw, you raised the bar. It’s time to clock back in for your annual marketing reset.
There are new challenges around the corner, and we want to make sure you have everything you need to face them.
With past favourites, fresh faces, and the tried-and-tested know-how you need to build on what you started, our Retreat is your opportunity to take your marketing to the next level.
What People Are Saying
“The Strategic School Marketing Retreat offered a priceless chance to network and work together with other school marketers, in addition to allocating time to concentrate on strategic planning away from the daily school environment.
“The retreat was well-planned, featuring engaging activities and valuable resources for all attendees. It was fantastic to start work on my Marketing Plan for next year with the information and documents produced by Bianca and the team. It would be great to get back here again next year!”
Mitch Smith
Marketing Manager
Toowoomba Christian College
“I feel like I was able to achieve a month's worth of brain dumping in just one day. Thank you to Bianca Coleborn for guiding us through the development of our 2025 Marketing Plan. The Retreat provided the brain space and support needed to pull together all the data, thoughts and ideas that have been floating around in my head in an organised and concise way, away from all the noise of work.
“It was so good to have so many open conversations and proactively work on our marketing strategy. Unfortunately, it has also created a very long to-do list, but one I am excited to tackle. I also learnt that I don't have to do it all; I just need some people in my corner to help make magic."
Bobbi Rentell
Communications & Community Relations Manager
John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School
“Attending the School Marketing Manifesto retreat was a game-changer for me. It wasn't your typical conference—it was hands-on, practical, and incredibly impactful.
“I walked away with a complete marketing plan, new industry connections, and a renewed passion for my work. The sessions were insightful, especially the focus on blending human interest with cutting-edge digital strategies. I highly recommend School Marketing Manifesto for any school marketer looking to elevate their approach and drive real results.”
Kathryn Doyle
Communications & Community Engagement Manager
Fairholme College
The 2026 Retreat is SOLD OUT.
Get on the waitlist for the 2027 Retreat:
(In case you’re wondering, it will be in Victoria!)
We’ll do the heavy lifting for you
Our Retreat locations are thoughtfully chosen to pull you out of firefighting mode, help you relax, and get you thinking about the big picture.
Previous destinations have included the Crystalbrook Byron, Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas, the Lancemore Mansion Hotel in Werribee, and the Manly Pacific Hotel in Sydney (yep, we know how to pick nice spots).
We’ll spend dedicated time mapping out the year ahead using our tried-and-tested marketing plan which covers everything from unpacking enrolment data, scheduling budgets, understanding your audience and allocating resources effectively.
It’s incredibly practical, actionable and (best of all) easy for your leadership team to understand. If you come prepared, we estimate you’ll leave with your marketing plan 85% complete, with just a few gaps left to fill in once you’re back at your desk. Sound good?
FAQs
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Early bird pricing is currently available for $2,179+GST until Tuesday 31 March 2026. Pricing includes two nights accommodation and all meals from Sunday evening to Tuesday afternoon (excluding Monday dinner).
Regular pricing from 1 April is $2,479+GST.
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Absolutely. The 2026 Retreat has been designed for previous guests to take their plan to the next level. We’ll be taking the work you’ve already done and digging deep into strategy this year.
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All Retreat participants will enjoy the following as part of the package price:
Two full days of professional development
Two nights accommodation
All meals from Sunday dinner until Tuesday afternoon tea (excluding Monday dinner - that’s your time to explore/reset)
Comprehensive digital and printed materials to develop your marketing plan
Plus, of course, friends for life, a clear plan for the future and a renewed sense of enthusiasm!
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That’s a great question! This is not a large conference with hundreds of people. In fact, the maximum number of attendees present will be 50.
Instead of the two days being dedicated to listening to others speak (there will be some of that), the majority of the time will be dedicated to doing something (your marketing plan) and leaving with something to show for your time out of the office.
You’ll be heading home after the two days with a great big item — your 2026 marketing plan — ticked off your to-do list, which just doesn’t happen at conferences.
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Of course! It’s up to you how much time you spend at the Retreat. You’ll be offered all the tools and guidance you need to complete your plan, and if you find that you have some time to go exploring, that’s entirely up to you. (I’m not your mother.)
Having said that, everyone had such a great time collaborating and connecting at our previous Strategic School Marketing Retreats that we’ve always had 100% attendance during the planning sessions.
The only exception to this was when our guests had to step out and deal with something back at school - note to schools: leave them alone so they can get the most out their experience!
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We hope you do not need to cancel your participation at the Retreat, however, if cancellation takes place the following will apply, as per the Retreat Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation of a booking by you must be made in writing. It is up to you to cancel your booking. We will not regard a booking as cancelled unless and until written notice is received by us.
On cancellation, the following charges will apply:
More than 60 days’ notice prior to the Retreat starting date, and 75% of the Total Fee will be refunded (the Fee minus your 25% non-refundable deposit).
More than 34 days' notice and 50% of the Total Fee will be charged.
34 days or less before the scheduled Retreat starting date, and the Total Fee will be charged (100%) unless you are able to transfer to another participant, at our sole discretion.
Please be aware that if you cancel once the Retreat commences or you do not attend, you forfeit all fees. Late arrival may also result in a forfeited fee.
Keen to join the fun?
If you were waiting for your moment to book the 2026 Retreat, we’re sorry to say that your moment has passed… we are officially booked out for this year.
However, all is not lost! Make sure you check out The School Marketing Society - it’s our online community of like-minded professionals with exclusive in-person PD events for savvy school marketers just like you.
It’s a must for anyone who is interested in school marketing. But don’t take our word for it, check out the testimonials on the Society page.