Redlands, a co-educational independent school nestled in Sydney’s lower North Shore, has long been a pioneer in the education space. With a legacy spanning over 140 years and a reputation for innovation, Redlands continues to lead the way in preparing students for a global, technology-forward future.
Now, the school is taking another bold step forward: future-proofing its operations by adopting a unified student information system (SIS) through Veracross. This carefully considered decision was made to streamline processes, reduce staff workload and enhance the school experience for every member of their community.
We sat down with Principal Sean Corcoran, Applications and Projects Lead Evan Karagiannis, Director of Digital Innovation Mary-Lou O’Brien and Accucom Applications Manager Tully Clark, to discuss the future of their school tech, the decision-making process and the reality of implementing a new system.
Recognising a need for change
Redlands has always embraced forward-thinking approaches, never shy to make a change when the situation called for it. In recent years, the school’s leadership team recognised the need to modernise its internal systems to match the school’s progressive ethos.
“Redlands has always had a culture of innovation and looking forward,” shares Principal Sean Corcoran. “Over the last few years, we’ve been looking at a number of our systems and processes, especially in light of staff workloads and the impact on staff.”
The school’s previous SIS was no longer meeting the demands of a dynamic, globally connected institution. “As we looked at our student information system, we found that it was making it challenging for staff to do their jobs in an efficient manner,” Sean explained. “We were looking for ways to simplify and streamline some of those processes.”
Choosing the Right Partner
Redlands began searching for a solution that could unify its data, simplify operations and support its long-term goals. After evaluating several options, the choice became clear.
“We chose Veracross as a way to pull a number of the different systems that we wanted together, and hopefully to make our systems more streamlined and efficient moving forward,” explains Sean.
Applications and Projects Lead Evan Karagiannis added that “Veracross was the only true, unified database solution that we looked at. And that’s important when you’re going across everything from admissions all the way to alumni and just ensuring a seamless experience for everything.”
For Mary-Lou O’Brien, Director of Digital Innovation, the decision was also about finding a partner that aligned with Redlands’ existing technology ecosystem. “Building a solid relationship with that company and their reps before you even get started, I think that helps with the longevity of a project,” she said. “But also, the seamless integration into our existing edtech stack and looking for a partner that already had those relationships with some of our other existing partners was really important as well.”
A Collaborative Implementation Experience
Once the decision to switch was made, Redlands wasted no time pushing forward with its rollout. The Veracross implementation process was structured, transparent and collaborative; qualities that made a big impression on the Redlands team.
“I’ve loved working with Veracross so far,” said Mary-Lou. “I think we do have a solid working relationship.”
Evan echoed that sentiment: “It’s been really good from the get-go. They’ve outlined the clear processes that we’ve needed to follow; chains of escalation, what it’s going to look like over the next 12 to 18 months. And just setting the expectations up front. That’s been really helpful, just to know what we’re expecting throughout the project.”
Working With an Integration Partner
Like many busy schools, Redlands decided to bring on a third-party partner to speed up and smooth out their SIS switch with project management and I.T guidance throughout the implementation process. The team opted to use Accucom, who have a 37-year history supporting schools and organisations through large scale infrastructure projects.
“When we looked at what Redlands really needed in terms of a data system,” shares Tully Clark, Applications Manager at Accucom. “They faced a number of challenges having siloed systems across the schools where information that people really relied on to do their day-to-day jobs wasn’t easily accessible. Veracross makes it really easy for the enrolments team, the student support teams, teachers and the alumni teams, to all be singing from the same hymn sheet and using all the same information to support the school.”
As an integral point of connection between Veracross and Redlands, the Accucom team are relieved to know they can rely on Veracross. “They’re always there to pick up the phone,” shares Tully. “The resources that they have ready to go have made us feel knowledgeable, and we feel like we can support schools really, really easily. Veracross University, to name one part of it, has certainly helped us become experts in the product really quickly. And the support team and the implementation team’s readiness to jump on a call and walk us through the various challenges that we face in implementation has been outstanding.”
Looking Ahead with Confidence
With the launch date of their new SIS approaching, excitement is building across the school. Redlands is already ahead of schedule, thanks to thorough preparation and strong support from Veracross.
“We’re hoping to launch within six months,” said Mary-Lou. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but to be ahead by four weeks already when we’re only a couple of weeks in, is very exciting. We’ve done a lot of pre-work that has probably paid off as well. But at the same time, we’re feeling really well supported.”
When asked what she’s most looking forward to, Mary-Lou shares that it’s the staff’s reaction once the system goes live. “When they see how fast it is, they’re going to be so excited and blown away to see where we’ve come from and where we land. The response from staff is going to be a highlight for me that I’ll really enjoy.”
Evan is also optimistic about the long-term impact of implementing Veracross. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to reimagine our processes and functions here at Redlands,” he said. “We can get timely information when we need it, reducing data silos across the school and different systems. And improving the teacher and user experience overall.”
Advice for Other Schools Considering a SIS Switch
For schools considering a SIS transition, Redlands offers some valuable advice.
“Don’t look at the system,” Evan advised. “Look at your school’s readiness to change. This is a massive project and an opportunity to reimagine processes throughout the school. Take that opportunity when you have it at the start.”
Mary-Lou adds advice on connecting with peers. “Ask for references and actually ring people and talk to people about the product and their experience. And listen carefully. The big tip of the day is right at the end, as you wrap up, ask them if they would make that same decision again if they were given another chance. That was really, really telling for us and really insightful.”
A Future-Ready School for a Global Community
The decision to adopt Veracross is a reflection of Redlands commitment to innovation, efficiency and community. With a strong international profile and a diverse student body, the school needed a system that could support its global vision while simplifying day-to-day operations.
By choosing Veracross, Redlands is not only upgrading its technology but also reimagining how a school can function in the modern world. From admissions to alumni, from data security to user experience, Redlands is setting a new standard for what a future-ready school looks like.
The school is looking forward to making their systems more streamlined, efficient and ready for the future. And with Veracross, that future is already taking shape.
Ready to Recognise Your Schools Need for Change?
Switching systems is no walk in the park. But with the right technology partner, the short-term effort pays off in immeasurable ways. If you’re ready to recognise your schools need for change, our team is available to walk you through the power and possibilities of Veracross.
