A team of highly-skilled and passionate trainers and facilitators
We'll have your team motivated and working together in harmony!
From Teachers to Support Staff: Engaging PD for Every Role
In 2012, our founder and experienced trainer, Cate Schreck, presented to a group of Business Managers and School Administrators on the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace. Cate was struck by their dedication to creating a thriving school environment and their desire to empower their entire team.
After discussions with many Business Managers, teachers, and classroom-based staff, it became clear that comprehensive professional development opportunities were needed for everyone in the school community.
Recognising the need for comprehensive staff development, Just For Schools was born in 2012. We expanded our offerings to include training programs specifically designed for teachers and classroom-based staff alongside our established suite of programs for Business Managers and Education Support Staff.
Our team of experienced trainers and facilitators continues to develop and deliver a proven catalogue of programs, ensuring all staff members have the tools and resources they need to excel in their roles.
Why Over 300 Schools and 1,500+ Staff Choose Just For Schools Time and Time again
How School Staff Feel After Finding Us:
- Relieved: Say goodbye to the endless search for relevant professional development. We offer a comprehensive range of programs tailored to the specific needs of all your staff.
- Supported: Our team of experts is here to guide you through the selection process, ensuring you choose the perfect training programs to empower your team and achieve your school's goals.
- Confident: Invest in your staff's success with our practical and results-oriented programs. Watch your team grow in confidence and skill, leading to a more effective and thriving school environment.
How School Staff Feel After Our PD
- Motivated: We ignite your passion for learning and equip you with the skills and knowledge to excel in your role. Our engaging PD programs will inspire you to develop your expertise continuously.
- Valued: We recognise the vital role you play in creating a successful learning environment. Our programs acknowledge your unique contributions and empower you to shine.
- Confident: Become a confident and collaborative team member. Our programs foster strong communication skills, allowing you to work effectively with everyone in the school community.
Relevant, Engaging, and Motivating: PD for Every School Staff Role
Three Steps to Motivating PD for Your Entire Staff
- Book with Confidence: No more searching for the perfect PD! We make it easy to find the right programs for your entire staff, saving you time and frustration.
- Attend and Be Inspired: Our experienced trainers, all with a minimum of 10 years of experience, are passionate about their subjects. Your staff will leave feeling motivated, with practical skills to excel in their roles.
- Review and Keep Growing: We don't stop after the training. We provide resources and recommendations to keep the momentum going, ensuring long-term success for your staff.
Testimonials
...attendees saying how great the session was
Thank you for designing a session specific to the needs of our ESS team and for making it interactive without making staff feel uncomfortable. I had immediate feedback from the attendees saying how great the session was and asking for more.
Business Manager
Cate respects ESS
Cate respects ESS. She helped my team see the value of their roles, the importance of their attitudes and the opportunities they were missing to lower stress and increase compliments.
Business Manager
You had the whole staff engaged ...
You had the whole staff engaged and it reinforced that what we are working towards is one goal – customer service is the key to how we are viewed by the wider community.
Principal’s PA/HR Administrator
Just For Schools are a pre-approved provider of goods and services.
Our Mission: Empowering Schools. Inspiring Staff. Building Excellence.
- Ignite Excellence: We partner with schools to cultivate a thriving learning environment, fostering student and staff success.
- Empower Every Role: We offer comprehensive professional development programs to equip and motivate all school personnel, from teachers and classroom-based staff to business managers and ESS.
- Simplify and Support: We streamline the professional development process, saving you time and frustration.
- Fuel Passion: We approach our work with dedication and enthusiasm, inspiring a love of learning in everyone we serve.
Our Vision:
We envision thriving school communities where every staff member feels valued, empowered to learn, and equipped to contribute their best. This includes:
- Building Collaborative Teams: Fostering a culture of collaboration where staff work together seamlessly to deliver exceptional service to the entire school community.
- Developing Communication Skills: Equipping all staff with the confidence and skills to interact respectfully and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Recognising the Value of Every Role: Cultivating a school environment where every staff member feels their contributions are essential to the success of the school.
Our team is your team
Cate Schreck
Service Excellence and Teamwork Specialist
Cate is known for her engaging and practical approach to educating and motivating. Her first book, The A – Z of Service Excellence, is a ‘go-to’ resource for school staff and is on the shelves of many School Libraries!
- Favourite song: Anything by Pink
- Drink of choice: A Friday night Cocktail (Traditionally a Cosmopolitan)
- Coriander: Hard no!
Introducing Cate Schreck
Director of Just For Schools
Service Excellence and Teamwork Specialist
Since 2012, Cate has been designing and delivering group training sessions that develop the soft skills (people skills) of all school staff so they can work together in harmony and provide consistently excellent service to members and stakeholders of the School.
Cate is known for her engaging and practical approach to educating and motivating staff, and her first book, “The A –Z of Service Excellence”, is a ‘go-to’ resource and is on the shelves of School libraries across Victoria!
Cate holds qualifications in Business (Frontline Management), Training and Assessment, V.E.T (Disability), Mental Health Social Solutions and Counselling and is a DISC ADVANCED® Accredited Interpreter & Facilitator.
Cate passionately believes that the key to success for all school staff is to provide them with regular access to Professional Development that is practical, relevant, and, most importantly, leaves them feeling valued and respected.
Cate reinforced the fact that customer service applies to all ESS...
Cate was great! Many of the ES staff have come to me and expressed their gratitude for providing such a supportive, informative,and knowledgeable speaker. Cate reinforced the fact that customer service applies to all ESS in our daily interactions with students, staff, parents, community,and colleagues.Cate’s interactive presentation style encouraged everybody to want to participate, and they did with much enthusiasm.
Business Manager
Steve Schreck
Business Manager
Steve is your ‘go-to’ person who will help you choose the right training, introduce you to the right trainer and handle everything from quotes through to feedback, so all you have to do is relax.
- Favourite song: Anything by Pink Floyd or Warren Zevon (I love them all)
- Drink of choice: A Friday night Cocktail (Traditionally a Vodka Martini)
- Coriander: Yes Please (If Cate is away)
Introducing Steve Schreck
Director of Just For Schools
Business Manager
Steve has over 30 years’ experience working in Business Development and Business Management roles across the Private Hospital sector and Disability Services industry in Adelaide and Geelong.
As the Co-Founder of Just For Schools, Steve has firsthand experience of the challenges Schools face in accessing and providing professional and relevant training for ALL school staff.
Steve is an organiser! He is your ‘go-to’person who will help you choose the right training, introduce you to the right trainer and handle everything from quotes through to feedback so all you have to do is relax.
Steve holds qualifications in Employment Services, Project Management and Vocational and Educational Training and is a bit of a legend on the race track in his MX5!
Steve is passionate about helping Schools select and provide PD with ease.
It’s so nice to be able to book PD without any problems.
Steve is so patient! I asked him many questions and wanted lots of informationand he made sure I understood everything before I decided. Steve did what he said he would, when he said he would,and our PD day was a great success. It’s so nice to be able to book PD without any problems.
Business Manager
Lisa Wiking
Leadership Coach and School Staff Energiser
Lisa’s passion is developing confident leaders, specifically helping staff understand their roles and how they can link what their team does every day to the goals of the School.
- Favourite song: : A Million Dreams by Pink and Angels by Robbie Williams
- Drink of choice: Coffee during the day and a nice glass of red
- Coriander: Absolutely hell NO! Can’t stand it....it violates my tastebuds!!!
Introducing Lisa Wiking
Leadership Coach and School Staff Energiser
Lisa has over 20 years of experience in helping Business Managers step away from the overwhelm and help them to develop trusted and productive teams.
Lisa’s passion is developing confident leaders. She specifically helps Business Managers understand their roles and how they can link what their team does every day to the goals of the School.
But that is just the start; Lisa provides online one-to-one or group coaching programs specifically for Leaders, as well as onsite group sessions for all school staff that help improve teamwork, time management, communication, and so much more.
Lisa is a truly engaging trainer and facilitator who designs fun, interactive and outcome-focused sessions that consistently have positive feedback and, more importantly, solid results from the Action Plans she employs to ensure participants can implement what they have learned.
I came away feeling inspired and remembering why I love my job...
I just wanted to send you a quick email regarding the training I did on Thursday last week with Lisa Wiking. I came away feeling inspired and remembering why I love my job and how lucky I am. I thought it was important for you to know this and how highly I recommend Lisa -she is amazing!
Attendee
Lou Lugsdin
Develops Emotionally and Mentally Fit School Staff
Lou’s experience has provided her with the wisdom and expertise to help school staff who are feeling frazzled, stressed out, overwhelmed, stuck, facing challenges and turmoil or who just want to achieve greater success.
- Favourite song: Gloria by Laura Branigan
- Drink of choice: Prosecco (Summer) Shiraz (Winter)
- Coriander: Yes, but only recently, as a condiment. A big NO to Coriander Soup!
Introducing Lou Lugsdin
Develops Emotionally and Mentally Fit School Staff
As a qualified teacher with over 20 years of experience, Lou has held many roles in the education sector and is particularly passionate about helping all school staff know their value and develop the skills that lower stress and beat burnout.
Since leaving Teaching, Lou has become a highly sought-after workplace trainer and EAP Provider, a qualified Counselor, a Credentialed Advanced Practitioner of Coaching (Life Coach), and a Level 2 E-DISC Behavioural Profiling Consultant.
Lou’s broad career experience has provided her the wisdom and expertise to help school staff who are feeling frazzled, stressed out, overwhelmed, stuck, facing challenges and turmoil, or wanting to raise the bar to achieve greater success.
Lou specialises in (and genuinely loves) helping school staff achieve high mental and emotional fitness levels in and out of work. Attendees gain so much from Lou’s sessions that they thank their lucky stars for finding her!
The session was full of practical information delivered concisely...
Lou really understands how people think and what it takes to turn your thinking around. The session was full of practical information delivered concisely and I’m inspired to set some realistic goals today.
Attendee
Brad Clarke
Conflict and Change Management Specialist
Brad has a genuine passion and practical talent for helping create harmonious teams that move confidently through change. Brad is a strong advocate for collaborative and collective learning.
- Favourite song: Black by Pearl Jam
- Drink of choice: A really peaty Scotch Whiskey might win me over!
- Coriander: A big YES!
Introducing Brad Clarke
Conflict and Change Management Specialist
Brad’s experience stretches across more than three decades and includes accredited and non-accredited training within the Statutory, Commercial and Community sectors.
Brad has a genuine passion and practical talent for helping create harmonious teams that move confidently through change.
Brad has a portfolio of qualifications in workplace training and assessment and adult education including he is a graduate of the inaugural Postgraduate Diploma of Education (Applied Learning) at Deakin University.
Brad is a strong advocate for collaborative and collective learning; the use of diverse, blended learning environments and a strong focus on people-centred learning to ensure attendees focus on both content and context and the transition from knowledge acquisition to sustainable performance improvement and growth.
Brad helped us understand the different impacts of change, the importance of teamwork...
Brad brought our team a high level of experience, skills,and knowledge at a time when we were going through major disruptive change. Brad helped us understand the different impacts of change, the importance of teamwork and shined a bright light on our different behavioural styles – it was quiet the eye opener! We now believe we are a stronger team and cannot thank Brad enough for his insights and guidance
Business Manager
Emily Re
Improving School Staff Work Life and Home Life
Emily is passionate about helping people to live productive and positive lives both in and out of work. With a Bachelor of Teaching, Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), 15+ years in various education roles, and with Accreditation in the DISC Model of Human Behaviour, Emily is well equipped to help all school staff!
- Favourite song: The Lion Sleeps Tonight
- Drink of choice: Pinot Gris
- Coriander: Yes please!
Introducing Emily Re
Improving School Staff Work Life and Home Life
Emily is passionate about helping people to live productive and positive lives both in and out of work. With a Bachelor of Teaching, Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), 15+ years in various education roles, i.e., Teacher and Integration Aide, and Accreditation in the DISC Model of Human Behaviour, Emily is well equipped to help all school staff be their best!
Prior to her career as a teacher, Emily worked in Melbourne and regional Victorian schools as an Integration Aide, so she is especially excited to work with all school staff on their professional development journey.
Emily uses a gentle manner, a healthy dose of humour and a large bucket of tools and resources to deliver content that is heavy on help and light on fluff. She is a ‘fluff-free’ trainer!
What an awesome session this was!
What an awesome session this was! The professional yet relaxed manner you presented the content brought the best out in everyone. I immediately put learning into practice and low and be-hold, immediate results! Thank you so much Em.
Attendee
Isabelle Russell
International Wellbeing Practitioner and Child Development Specialist
Isabelle has dedicated her life to making the field of education a kinder, more authentic and collaborative space. She holds a BA Hons in Education, Montessori Diploma and Resilience in Children Certification.
- Favourite song: I Don’t Wanna Stop - The Bamboos
- Drink of choice: Honestly, anything with Elderflower Cordial - alcoholic or not!
- Coriander: Big fan
Introducing Isabelle Russell
International Wellbeing Practitioner and Child Development Specialist
With a decade of experience, Isabelle has dedicated her life to making the field of education a kinder, more authentic and collaborative space.
Isabelle's expertise lies in tailored interventions and programs that promote mental, emotional, and social well-being in young individuals. Her holistic approach incorporates evidence-based practices into everyday life and addresses the unique needs of each child, resulting in meaningful and sustainable change.
Isabelle holds a BA Hons in Education, Montessori Diploma and Resilience in Children Certification. Supporting all school staff with a proactive and sustainable integration of wellbeing practices through planning, assessments and behaviour management.
Highly recommend!
The session was wonderful, and we all enjoyed it. The information was delivered beautifully, and in a way, we could relate. We would love to have Isabelle back again in the future. Highly recommend!
Educator
Katrina Shaw
Grief and Loss Specialist
Katrina's blend of lived and professional experience allow her to deliver compassionate yet engaging workshops, backed by evidence-informed strategies and realistic approaches that can be applied within the classroom, to address the challenging topics of grief, loss and change.
- Favourite song: Reelin' in the years - Steely Dan
- Drink of choice: Hendrick G&T
- Coriander: depends on the day...
Introducing Katrina Shaw
Grief and Loss Specialist
Katrina is a Grief and Loss Specialist committed to creating space for meaningful conversations and breaking the stigma surrounding grief in all its forms. Katrina's journey has been shaped by lived experiences with loss, as a young person and in adulthood, and she now strives to empower individuals and communities to embrace compassionate and empathetic dialogue.
Katrina's own experiences of grief, starting with the loss of her Mother, Greta, when she was just 15, and more recently challenges with infertility and miscarriages, have fueled her dedication to transforming the conversation around grief. Katrina recognised the lack of understanding and awareness that often surrounds this topic in society and the importance of acknowledging that grief extends far beyond bereavement and takes diverse forms.
As a Grief and Loss Specialist, Katrina is driven by a desire to bring the discussion of grief into schools, workplaces, and local communities. Katrina's mission is to normalise conversations around grief whilst providing evidence-informed strategies through workshops, professional development and speaking events across corporate settings, schools and local communities.
Provided me with confidence in talking about grief
The staff development provided me and my colleagues with confidence in talking to children about grief, as well as helping me to understand the difference between grief and bereavement. I really liked that we discussed how it affects different age groups and were given practical steps on tackling a grief conversation.