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schoolbusiness
70
TAKE A BREAK, GRAB A CUPPA & CELEBRATE YOU
Welcome to Issue Two of the magazine that celebrates multitasking jugglers on the frontline of every school. Schoolbusiness is tailored for ofce managers like yourself, with inspiration, stories and resources that think about you frst. Where would any school be without you?
As MTA celebrates its 70 year anniversary, we’d like to keep the celebration going by celebrating you. In this issue, we ask you to hit pause and take a break. Try a new recipe, brew the tea a little longer or enjoy your cofee break with a couple of extra decadent chocolate biscuits as you fick through your mag.
This issue spans ordering across winter and spring. It’s a heady time in the school calendar. Inside, you’ll fnd price-dropped essentials and seasonal tips to keep teachers supported across the terms, and make it easier for you.
Lean on your dedicated MTA Rep
Our team is here to support you – whether it’s sourcing, delivery or planning. We know schools, and we’re just a phone call or email away. We’ve got you.
Our top admin fnds
You look after the teachers and the students, so let us look after you. We’ve scoured the MTA website for some little items you’ll love, to give your ofce space a new lease of life.
TRENDING: colours of the outback
There’s much to love in our sunburnt country (as Dorothea Mackellar wrote in her classic ‘My Country’). Shop the colours of sweeping plains, fooding rains and the jewel-sea now at MTA.
HOW FRANCES MAKES IT ALL WORK
NAME: Frances Magri
TITLE: Senior School Support Ofcer
WHERE: St Francis Xavier’s Primary School, Lurnea, NSW
SIZE: 400 students
FRANCES’ TIPS:
• What you don’t do today, you’ll get done tomorrow
• Even if you think you’re going unnoticed, you ARE very noticed by a lot of people and you’re making their lives much easier
• Find pleasure in doing small things for people that help their workload
When Frances began her career at 18 as a bank teller, little did she know that one day, she would be helping to project manage a major renovation at the thriving primary school she now works in as a Senior School Support Ofcer. But careers have a way of surprising us, with their twists and turns. In Frances’ case, she brought with her a raft of experience and transferable managerial and fnancial skills, so it makes complete sense that Frances now fnds herself in the role she is in.
Frances Magri heads up a two-person full time ofce team at St Francis Xavier’s. She’s been in the role for around three years, and came to work in this role after COVID impacted banking roles everywhere. Having been a bank manager for 20 years, she pivoted to school ofce administration and hasn’t looked back since.
MANAGING MANY ‘OPEN TABS’
A day for Frances starts at 8am when the phones start ringing and she fres up her four diferent email boxes. There’s one for parent communication, one for external suppliers, one for accounts and invoices, and one for school communication. On the day we visited, Frances was juggling an upcoming Open Day (enrolment packs full of merchandise and information flled the ofce), enrolment enquiries for 2027, booking interviews, organising an upcoming sports carnival (are there enough frst aid supplies, ordering ribbons for the students, booking the chartered buses, hiring the stadium, permission slips from the parents and more). She talks about multitasking, and you can see why. There are many ‘tabs open’ throughout her hectic day.
TACKLING RENOVATION & REFURBISHMENT
One of the roles she has taken on in the last two years was helping to usher in St Francis Xavier’s renovations. The whole school building project provided refurbished contemporary classrooms, a new double storey learning space with nine additional classrooms for K-3, an extended school hall, and upgraded outdoor facilities including a new soccer feld and basketball court. While Louise Boerebach, the Principal, oversaw the high level project, Frances was liaising with on-site builders and co-ordinating tradespeople to help the project come to fruition. Rightly so, she seems proud of the new look school and is thrilled that the students and teachers are enjoying it daily. Frances noted that in this role, ‘I don’t get bored because the day goes by so fast. You never know what’s coming because you’re working on so many diferent tasks.’ She works closely with the principal, assistant principal, the teachers, parents and of course, the students.
WATCHING THE LITTLE ONES GROW
Afectionately called ‘Miss Frances’ by the students, she loves the daily interactions with ofce ‘frequent fyers’ and loves the look of surprise on little faces when she occasionally ventures out into the playground (Oh, you’re here, Miss Frances?!). One of the most enjoyable aspects of the role is seeing students grow from wideeyed kindy students into more confdent older students. Frances is looking forward to seeing the frst year of little ones head of to high school in a few years and hopes they continue the tradition to come back and visit occasionally. We’re sure they will.
One easy school purchasing platform where YOU’RE in control.
Save time, effort and costs with our ordering and approvals platform. You’re in control of all ordering – and your teachers can share or send carts for approval, making the whole process simple and easy.
Welcome to easier purchasing with MTA Connect. As an admin, simply sign into your school’s MTA administration account to manage all your school orders AND teacher orders. Don’t know your school account login or password? Contact your MTA Rep or Customer Service on 1800 251 497.
Invite your teachers
As the account admin, you invite your teachers to sign up and connect their profiles to the school’s MTA Connect account.
Order history & tracking
Access order history & invoices, plus track deliveries in real time.
Review, amend & approve teacher orders
Your teachers send you their saved carts. You review, edit, approve and place all orders. Nice!
Batch orders, save on delivery
Group several teacher orders into one shipment to save on delivery costs. Boom!
Admins, you’re in charge!
Logging into your MTA administration account puts smooth centralised ordering power in your hands to save you time and money.
Invite teachers from your MTA dashboard or ask your MTA Rep to set your teachers up for you. Join the schools that already successfully use MTA Connect by reaching out to your Rep who will help set you up.
Manage privileges
Lock teacher profiles for ordering approval only (or unlock to give purchasing privileges, so multiple school users can purchase in a single online environment).
Individual labelling
Your boxes of MTA goodies are individually labelled by teacher, class name or PO number. When your delivery arrives, each box can reach the right room easily.
Bringing authentic First Nations resources into your schoolINSPIRED & EASY!
MTA collaborates with First Nations artists and creators to create an authentic range that helps to give back to communities, establishes respectful ongoing partnerships and brings the artistry of their work into the classroom. Make it seamless to integrate authentic resources into your school RESOURCES THAT GIVE BACK
50 YEARS OF DEADLY 5-12 JULY 2026
For fve decades, NAIDOC Week has celebrated the voices of First Nations communities, steady, unapologetic and proud.
Themes have called for truth, celebrated culture, honoured resistance and reminded the nation of who our frst Australians are. Fifty Years of Deadly marks a true milestone this year!
Celebrate the learning opportunities NAIDOC Week afords students with MTA’s range of cultural resources. YOUR
TEACHERS WILL LOVE...
The MTA NAIDOC Week 2026 hub at teaching.com.au for resources, activities, inspiration and more. Scan the QR code to head to the hub.
REPORT:
The complex, high-stakes issues facing admins today
School administration is becoming more complex every year. School business leaders and support staf have become the operational backbone of education, working at the intersection of compliance, fnance, people and risk. And right now, the pressure is on.
COMPLIANCE CREEP
The sheer weight of work has escalated to a point some describe as unsustainable. What was once paperwork is now a complex web of mandatory reporting, government regulations, auditing, policy tracking and system management. Beyond ‘keeping the ofce running’, some school staf manage over 200 policy documents requiring compliance. From HR and payroll legislation to child safety standards and workplace health obligations, the stakes are high and require balancing precision with pace, actively mitigating risk across the entire school. This bureaucracy trap diverts time away from student support to process-heavy tasks.
SYSTEM FRAGMENTATION
Digital systems promise efciency, but introduce new challenges. Cybersecurity risks, privacy obligations and the very real frustration of platforms that don’t always deliver. Many schools run multiple platforms that don’t integrate clearly, resulting in duplicate data entry, inconsistent records and a reliance on manual
workarounds. Instead of reducing workload, tech can actually multiply it when high-stakes systems like assessment platforms, payroll or attendance tracking don’t perform as needed.
AI GOVERNANCE
While AI is transforming education, it presents its own challenges. Business managers are often tasked with developing ‘living’ AI policies to maintain academic integrity, while trying to leverage AI for their own efciencies. AI can be valuable in reducing time spent on repetitive tasks, however, this shift comes with considerations around data privacy, accuracy and staf confdence, with many schools still working out clear policies and best practice.
OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS
The fnancial landscape is anything but simple. Budget constraints are tightening, requiring better fnancial oversight. Schools are grappling with rising costs, competing priorities and increasing scrutiny over how money is spent. Business managers are being asked to stretch every dollar further, justify every decision and maintain long-term sustainability in a system that often feels short on certainty.
THE STAFFING SQUEEZE
Then there’s the workforce challenge. Staf shortages, complex industrial relations and retention issues are no longer occasional headaches but daily realities. Recruiting the right people, managing contracts, navigating awards and supporting overstretched teams all fall within the remit of school operational leaders. It’s a people puzzle with no easy solution.
THE WELLBEING PARADOX
Unsurprisingly, wellbeing is emerging as a critical issue. The same professionals tasked with supporting staf and student wellbeing are themselves under intense strain. Long hours, high accountability and constant problemsolving are contributing to burnout across the sector with wellbeing for administrators at a critical low. Adding another layer of complexity is the changing nature of students and school communities. Admins are often the frst point of contact for troubled students, making mental health management a key issue, as well as attendance tracking. This brings additional coordination, documentation and collaboration with external services… meaningful work, but adds to an already full plate.
THE TAKEAWAY
The role of school administration has fundamentally shifted to being central to how schools function, adapt and succeed. The question now is whether the system is evolving quickly enough to support the people holding it together. Solutions need to be practical, realistic and within a school’s control. While schools may not be able to control policy, funding models or system-wide compliance, some schools are fnding ways to ease pressure and work smarter on the ground. The most efective responses in 2026 aren’t about working harder but working deliberately.
5 approaches gaining traction
1 Streamline processes
Not all admin is equal. What actually adds value? What can be simplifed? This can mean consolidating forms and approvals, standardising templates and workfows, reducing ‘just in case’ reporting.
2 Invest in smarter systems
Technology is only helpful if it genuinely saves time. Prioritise integrated systems that talk to each other, automating routine tasks like fnance workfows, HR processes and communications. Train staf properly so systems are used to their full potential.
3 Build capabilities
Clarify responsibilities and invest in professional development for admin teams (fnance, HR, compliance, data skills) to reduce bottlenecks and spread workload.
4 Set boundaries
One of the biggest drivers of burnout is the sense that everything is urgent and nothing can be dropped. Schools making progress here are setting clear expectations about response times and availability.
5 Treat wellbeing as an operational priority
Wellbeing won’t improve through one-of programs – it needs to be embedded in how work is designed. Check-ins for admin and support staf (not just teaching staf), access to peer networks and professional communities, ensuring leave is taken and respected, and actively redistributing workload during peak periods.
SENSORY SENSATIONS
Every school is made up of students with unique needs. Administrators often play a role in assisting children, supporting teachers or championing whole-school practices (such as quiet time, or music in lieu of a school bell). We spoke to Sonja Walker from Kids First about how to approach sensory regulation in a school environment.
“People, not just children, are like a cup, and fll with the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings that are part of their day. As our cup flls, the cognitive space at the top gets less and less because our body and brain are not in balance. It doesn’t matter if you’re 6 or 66.
Throughout the day, some start to withdraw. Some get the wriggles. The sensory input that helps them is dependent on their profle. Weighted toys or lap cushions can help with calm. Resistance work like wobble cushions or latex bands can provide focus. Reducing sound through hearing protectors or creating divided zones can aid regulation. Having calm corners but also opportunities to move bodies and practise balance can help children centre themselves.”
Sonja sums it up like this. “Bottom line. Regulation is the key to everything. A child cannot learn, socialise or pay attention, unless their body and their brain are in balance. Look for tools and practices that would just take the steam out of the steamer.”
We’ve handpicked some beautiful resources that guide self-regulation and help students fnd that calm but alert sweet spot.
Sonja Walker is the leader and founder of Kids First. As a qualifed teacher of 30+ years, Sonja advocates for the needs of children and families in the community. Her multidisciplinary team brings together child psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and specialist early intervention teachers.
“Sensory regulation is that position in the middle where you are calm but alert”
- SONJA WALKER
SKILLING UP
Keen to learn how to lead efective workplace relations or promote team innovation? Ready to learn more about project management or risk management?
Whatever your experience, there are always opportunities to add new skills through targeted training. A strong base begins with a nationally recognised qualifcation:
• Certifcate III in Business (Administration): Focuses on foundational ofce skills like spreadsheets and document design
• Certifcate III in School Based Education Support: Ideal for those who want to provide classroom-based support to students
• Certifcate IV in Business (Administration)
• Diploma of Business
• Diploma of Leadership and Management: Supports career progression into supervisory or executive roles
LEVEL UP WITH HIGH-VALUE SKILLS
As schools rely more heavily on data for reporting and compliance, digital competency and systems skills can give you massive leverage. High-value skills include:
• Microsoft Excel (intermediate to advanced)
• School systems (e.g. Sentral, Compass, Synergetic)
• Data/reporting skills
• Basic IT troubleshooting
Similarly, training in fnance and payroll administration, including bookkeeping and software such as MYOB or Xero, can open pathways to higher responsibility roles like School Business Manager. Additional upskilling in compliance is also highly valuable:
• HR fundamentals
• Workplace compliance / WHS
• Privacy & records management
• Child protection & safeguarding
SHORT, PRACTICAL SKILL SETS FOR A QUICK WIN
Look for courses in your state such as:
• Soft skills workshops to sharpen specifc professional skills such as Organisational Savvy & Political Intelligence
• Current trends: AI Tools for Modern Education, Learning Support, Behaviour Management, Disability Support
• Specialised training: Administering prescribed medications or school-specifc fnancial and laboratory procedures
• The Business Manager Capability Framework identifes a Professional Learning Suite:
• Technical skills (fnance and procurement, governance, operational acumen, resource coordination, risk management)
• People skills (stakeholder engagement, relationship building, supportive leadership, teamwork)
• Self-mastery (ethics and values, problem solving, fexibility, organising and planning, resilience)
Courses run through public providers or registered private training organisations which may give you a more fexible schedule, self-paced learning and faster completion. We know you’re super busy already, but if you are keen to step up, could be a great time to skill up.
Ready to rethink your WASHROOM SUPPLIER?
Recently, the second biggest high school in NSW, Chatswood High, underwent an overhaul of its washroom facilities that cater for nearly 2,300 students. We spoke to Business Manager, Ineke Assendorp, about the project managed by MTA.
What was the impetus to change?
The school was growing, so after living in ‘demountable city’ for years, building works were fnally fnished, including a washroom upgrade. We have a huge number of washrooms, however, there had been feedback from parents that the old and newly installed toilets were not meeting the school’s needs. The new principal, Robin Chand, decided we needed to act on this across our new and existing washrooms.
How did MTA support you? We have a long, active relationship with MTA, so they worked closely with our vision to give the facilities a modern, sleek, cost-efective solution for high-trafc washrooms.
If you would like a review of your washroom needs & costs, please reach out to your MTA Rep.
Together we selected a great Tork range, with an installation of hand towel, soap and toilet paper dispensers that are slim, clean and adaptable across all our spaces.
How did the installation work? MTA worked with us and Tork who recommended a great installer.
‘With Tork’s Free on Loan agreement, we received all dispensers free as long as we refll with Tork product. This was huge for us, as we had over 80 hygienic dispensers installed across the school.’
What about maintenance? Our GA team (General Assistance) and cleaners look after reflling stock as needed.
‘They’re simple and easy to refll, and are lockable to avoid any wastage or student misuse.’
What’s been the response? The washrooms look cleaner and more professional. The students love the look of the facilities, and the washrooms just smell better!
Was it a smooth process? I must say the whole process working with MTA and Tork was so smooth. Never a problem. The results are really great. We’re very happy.
Tork PeakServe Continuous Hand Towel Dispenser White H5 TRK52500
Tork SmartOne Twin Mini Toilet Dispenser T9 TRK0053
Tork Foam Soap Dispenser White S4 TRK0022
Lunchbox love
PERMISSION TO PAUSE!
Skipping brekky and powering through lunch? We’ve all been there. Taking a proper break and fuelling your body is essential for getting through a busy school day - and a little meal prep makes it much easier. Here are three recipes so delicious, you’ll actually remember to grab them from the fridge on your way out the door.
GREEN GODDESS SOUP
Cosy winter warmer
HOT HONEY PROTEIN BOWL
A hearty lunch to keep you going
HOW: In a pot, sauté garlic and onion in olive oil. Add chopped broccoli, zucchini, spinach, vegetable stock and a handful of herbs (parsley, basil or coriander). Simmer until soft, then blend until silky smooth.
Finish with lemon juice and a swirl of yoghurt or cream.
WHY WE LOVE IT: With snify noses and fu season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to load up on immunity-boosting vegies.
ON-THE-GO OVERNIGHT OATS
Prep tonight, enjoy tomorrow
HOW: Mix in a jar the night before:
½ cup oats (or 2 Weet-Bix)
¾ cup milk
1 tbsp chia seeds
½ tsp honey or maple syrup.
Layer your fave favour combos:
Berry yoghurt + almonds
Banana + peanut butter
Apple + cinnamon
Refrigerate overnight.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
Zero morning prep and steady energy all morning.
HOW: Roast diced sweet potato with olive oil and paprika until golden. Brown beef mince in a pan with taco seasoning.
Build your bowl with:
• Brown rice or quinoa
• Cottage cheese
• Avocado
• Spinach or rocket
• Drizzle with hot honey (honey + chilli fakes).
WHY WE LOVE IT:
The perfect balance of protein, fbre and favour to keep you full and energised all afternoon.
STAFFROOM STAPLES
Check out MTA’s kitchenware range
CLEAR DESK, CLEAR MIND
When you’re busy, your desk can bear the brunt of it. No harm in trying a quick, mindful desk reset.
The front ofce is the heart of the school, buzzing with activity, interruptions and last-minute requests. With so much going on, it’s easy for your workspace to become a clutter zone. But an organised desk isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about creating a functional space that supports focus, reduces stress and helps you work smarter. Here’s how to turn your desk into a clutter-free space Marie Kondo would be proud of.
1. START WITH A DECLUTTER
Before reorganising, clear everything of your desk and ask yourself: do I use this daily? If not, store it elsewhere. Is this paperwork outdated? Archive it. Are there duplicates? Keep one, store or recycle the rest.
TIP: Allocate 15 minutes on a quiet afternoon each term to declutter – it’s easier to maintain than overhaul.
2.
CREATE
ZONES FOR FUNCTION
3. TAME THE PAPER TRAIL
Paper is one of the biggest culprits of desk chaos in a school ofce. Here’s how to keep it efortlessly under control and show it who’s boss.
Label trays: To action, to fle, waiting on reply. Vertical fle holders keep frequently used docs upright and visible. Digitise when possible. Scan notes or invoices and save to shared drives.
Divide your desk area into clear zones for calm thinking. Working zone: What you use daily – computer, notepad, phone, pens.
Reference zone: Filing trays, school handbooks, policies, cheat sheets.
Storage zone: Paper, envelopes, labels, extra stationery.
TIP: Use stackable trays or drawer organisers to keep it all accessible.
4. END OF DAY RESET
It’s a great habit to reset your desk at the end of each day. Clear cofee cups, plates and random post it notes. File documents. Lay out your to-do list for tomorrow. This 3-minute ritual helps you start fresh and focused the next morning.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE: Do you have any tried & trusted tips?
QUICK CHECKLIST
3 Only essentials on your desktop 3 Labelled trays for paperwork 3 Tidy cable management 3 Drawer organisers for small items 3 A clear space for writing and signing forms 3 Daily 3-minute reset habit
STRICTLY STATIONERY
Replenish, replenish, replenish!
There’s no better time to replenish supplies with prices dropped on MTA’s essentials. Stationery keeps the classroom and ofce wheels turning. These are the tools of thinking, creativity, organisation and doing. Scroll our stationery staples now.
MTA REP TIPS:
REPLENISH AROUND THE SCHOOL TERM CYCLE
Plan major restocks before each term starts, not during it. Do a main stock-up before T1 and T3. Do a lighter top-up before T2 and T4.
TRACK THE FAST MOVERS FIRST
Focus your reorder system around high-use products. Set minimum stock levels for
BUILD A SMALL EMERGENCY BUFFER
Unexpected things happen... new students enrol, classes start projects or teachers run out early! A good rule: keep 10–20% extra stock of essential items.
STANDARDISE SUPPLIES ACROSS CLASSROOMS
Agree on standard exercise books, markers and glue
10 stationery items schools run out of the fastest:
1. WHITEBOARD MARKERS – classrooms burn through them.
2. GLUE STICKS – especially in art projects.
3. HB PENCILS – constant demand and frequent loss.
4. BALLPOINT PENS – always in use.
5. ERASERS – small and easy to lose.
6. HIGHLIGHTERS – teachers and seniors love them.
7. EXERCISE BOOKS – need replacing often.
8. COPIER PAPER (A4) – the biggest volume item
9. STAPLES AND PAPER CLIPS – ofce currency!
10. STICKY NOTES – little notes, big ideas.
MTA’S TOP 9 BUDGET BOOSTING TIPS
1. Look for price-dropped Everyday Heroes - stationery, art & craft and health & hygiene essentials
2. Choose MTA’s own brands for value & qualityCreatistics, Teachables, Ergerite, Elizabeth Richards and more
3. Save with kits & sets
4. Bulk buy
5. Bundle your orders to save on delivery
6. Check the MTA Clearance and Monthly Sales
7. Talk to your MTA Rep about any specials
8. Enjoy free freight on your whole order when you spend over $199 in health & hygiene
9. Bookmark teaching.com.au
No need to juggle budget vs quality
We’ve dropped prices on 90+ everyday essentials to take your budget further, like these arty Creatistics faves.
KEY T2/T3 DATES
Heads up! Remind your teachers. Pin to the wall. Photocopy this page.
Get those orders locked in to make their seasonal teaching moments amazing!
WINTER
June 5 World Environment Day
June 8 World Oceans Day
July 5-12 NAIDOC Week
Aug 15-23 Science Week
Aug 22-28 CBCA Book Week
SPRING
Sept 6 Father’s Day
Sep 8 International Literacy Day
Sep 10 RUOK Day?
Oct 4-10 World Space Week
Oct 5 World Habitat Week
Oct 31 Halloween
Nov 9-15 National Recycling Week
Behind every great school is a great admin team (and we’ve got you covered). Talk to your MTA Rep to fnd out how we can help. JOIN US ON SOCIAL FOR MORE
Bookmark our digital school year calendar for key dates Instagram.com/modernteaching facebook.com/modernteachingaids tiktok.com/@modernteachingaids
