I work with schools in Ballarat and surrounds to provide short-term music therapy programs for small groups and individual students, alongside whole-school professional learning and capacity building.
Through singing, playing, improvising, listening, movement and shared musical experiences, students can explore regulation, belonging, expression and participation. The focus isn't musical performance, but creating accessible, meaningful opportunities for students to connect and contribute.
With over 20 years' experience across education and music therapy, I work alongside school staff to ensure programs are responsive to each school's context and can support wellbeing beyond the sessions.
School-based music therapy programs may be funded through the Victorian School Mental Health Fund and Menu.
Want to strengthen wellbeing, inclusion, and connection across your school?
Schools often require different types of support at different times.
This work can be offered across three interconnected levels, allowing flexibility while maintaining a consistent, relational approach.
It can align with existing school wellbeing structures, including the School Mental Health Fund and Menu, as well as other funding approaches at the school’s discretion.
Here’s how it can look:
Whole school professional learning (Tier 1)
Building staff confidence and capacity to support wellbeing, regulation, and connection in everyday classroom life through the use of music. This may include professional learning, in-class modelling, and collaborative support to embed practical approaches across the school.
Small group programs (Tier 2)
Short-term, targeted music therapy programs supporting students' regulation, wellbeing, belonging and participation through shared music-making.
Programs are shaped around the strengths and needs of each group, using singing, instrumental play, improvisation, musical choice and interaction to create opportunities for expression, connection and meaningful participation.
I work collaboratively with school staff so that insights and useful approaches can continue into everyday school life.
Short term individual support (Tier 3)
Short blocks of individual music therapy linked to classroom and school goals. This work includes collaboration with staff and caregivers to support continuity beyond sessions.
If you’re considering support at a whole school, group, or individual level, you’re welcome to get in touch to talk through what might fit your context.
What School Support Looks Like
About Me
Hi, I’m Dr Meg Steele, director of Creative School Support.
With over two decades of experience across education as a music therapist and teacher, alongside a Masters in Inclusive Education and a PhD exploring professional learning for classroom wellbeing, my work is grounded in both research and practice.
I’ve worked within the realities of schools and early childhood settings, and understand the pressures of teaching and leadership, the impact of limited resourcing, and the challenge of approaches that are well intentioned but difficult to sustain over time.
Creative School Support grew in response to this.
I offer purposeful, short-term music therapy programs alongside professional learning and consultation, recognising that meaningful support can involve both direct work with students and strengthening the capacity of the adults around them.
Whether working with individual students, small groups or whole-school and kinder communities, my approach is relational, responsive and grounded in the everyday realities of school life.
The focus is on building approaches that can continue beyond the initial engagement, supporting staff and students over time.
Why This Approach Works
Backed by Research
Research in music, wellbeing, and education shows that shared musical experiences can strengthen connection, belonging, and school culture.
This is reflected in my own research and practice, which explores how simple, accessible musical approaches can be embedded within everyday classroom life.
When these experiences are practical and achievable for staff, they are more likely to be sustained over time rather than remaining as isolated initiatives.
Shared Musical Experiences Support Connection
Music offers a way for students and staff to experience connection, participation, and shared identity.
These moments can support regulation, engagement, and a sense of belonging across classrooms and year levels.
In this work, music is used as a practical, inclusive tool. It is not about performance or specialist skill, but about creating opportunities for participation in ways that feel safe and accessible.
This may include singing, listening, rhythm, and other simple musical experiences that can be adapted across settings.
A Partnership That Respects Context
This work is responsive and shaped around your school’s existing culture, priorities, and community.
Support is developed in partnership with leadership and staff, and refined over time as understanding grows.
The focus is on approaches that feel authentic within your setting and can be sustained beyond the initial engagement.
Whether working at a whole-school, group, or individual level, the aim is to build practices that can continue and grow within your school over time.
What Your School Will Gain:
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Strengthened wellbeing, regulation, and connection across the school
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Increased staff confidence to support students using practical, accessible approaches
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Targeted support for students through small group and individual work, where needed
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Simple, adaptable strategies that can be used across classrooms, groups, and whole-school settings
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Greater consistency in approaches to wellbeing and inclusion across the school
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Opportunities for reflection and collaboration, supporting ongoing development over time
This Is Ideal For Schools Who Want To:
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Strengthen wellbeing, regulation, and connection across the school
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Build a shared culture through inclusive, everyday practices
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Revitalise assemblies, celebrations, and community events
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Support student voice and participation in ways that feel authentic and accessible
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Provide targeted support for students through small group or individual approaches
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Embed inclusive practices that welcome diverse ways of participating
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Create moments of connection within the ongoing pressures of school life
Options to Fit Your Needs:
All work begins with a collaborative conversation.
This initial discussion helps us understand your school’s culture, priorities, and existing practices, so any support offered feels aligned and responsive to your context.
From there, support can be shaped in a range of ways:
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Whole-school professional learning
Building staff confidence to support wellbeing, regulation, and connection in everyday school life -
Small group programs
Targeted support for students through shared musical experiences -
Short-term individual support
Focused support linked to specific student and classroom needs -
Blended approaches
Combining elements across the school to support both staff and students over time
If you’re considering support at any of these levels, you’re welcome to get in touch to talk through what might fit your setting.
