TEAM TALK: SEPTEMBER 2025
✨ “Wake me up when September ends” …JUST KIDDING!
No time for naps—it’s basically Christmas already 🎅🏼🎄. Blink and suddenly we’re knee-deep in tinsel, baubles, and spreadsheets (the true holiday magic).
August who? That month vanished faster than Santa up a chimney. Our Area Managers are riding the recruitment train 🚂—next stop: You’re local shopping centre! Meanwhile, brand new Santa Set designs are unwrapping before our eyes, technology rollouts are sleigh-ing, and clients are confirming hours like kids writing wish lists.
September is going to be one magical sleigh ride with new elves joining the fun, and our favourite familiar faces returning for another season of Christmas cheer. Buckle up, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. 😉✨
With sparkle,
Jackie & Shae – the Newsletter Team
COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS🎄
NEW CHRISTMAS LANGUAGE
Our holiday magic is getting a little extra sparkle this season with an update to the way we talk about our team and our guests. Words matter, and we want every interaction to feel filled with joy, wonder, and a dash of whimsy. That’s why we’ve sprinkled some festive cheer into our titles!
From now on:
🧝 Customer Experience Assistants will be known as ‘Elves’
🧝♂️ Set Experience Managers will be celebrated as ‘Chief Elves’
🎅 And of course, Santa will always be Santa!
🌟 Most importantly, our customers will be welcomed as our ‘Visitors‘
And the magic doesn’t stop there.
Our support teams are joining in the fun too:
✨ Customer Support will be known as the ‘Experience Care Team‘, (lovingly called the Magic Desk internally!)
✨ Tech support will now be known as the ‘Elf Support Line‘
This playful shift reflects who we are and what we believe. Our values guide every step we take, and this one especially shines a light on our favourite value: We are playful with purpose. By embracing this language, we’re reminding ourselves and our visitors that every role, every interaction, and every magical moment on set is part of creating experiences that go beyond ordinary.
So get ready to spread holiday spirit in your new titles, and let’s make this season unforgettable—for Santa, for the Elves, for the Chief Elves, and for every single Visitor who steps into our winter wonderland!
CALLING ALL RETURNING ELVES
The most magical time of year is just around the corner, and that means it is time to start gathering our merry team once again.
September marks the beginning of our returnee recruitment season, and our Area Managers will soon be reaching out to familiar faces like you to see if you are ready to join us for another unforgettable holiday adventure.
We know the magic would not be the same without our returning Elves. You have helped create joyful memories, spread laughter, and made each Visitor’s experience shine bright. Now it is your chance to come back and do it all again, only bigger, better, and merrier!
🌟 A few things to keep in mind:
Returning Elves are already on Santa’s list. An application is not required, as your Area Manager will contact you directly to confirm your interest.
If you know someone who would make a wonderful addition to our Elf team, please share the below link with them. Fresh faces bring new energy to the workshop, and we would love to welcome them.
View our magical roles here: Seasonal Set Staff
This is the season where our value shines brightest. We are a team.
Every returning Elf and every new recruit plays a vital role in creating the magic. When we come together, we make moments that last a lifetime for our Visitors and for each other.
We cannot wait to see so many of you back in action, ready to don your hats, spread holiday cheer, and make this year the brightest one yet.
TRAINING - AREA MANAGERS
We’ve just wrapped up our first two rounds of Area Manager training, our returning Areas completing the online session, and our brand-new group joining us at Elf Headquarters (yes, snacks were involved).
This year, we’re lucky to have an incredible mix of Chief Elves stepping into the role of Area Manager to take on a new challenge and grow within our business, alongside some brand-new faces joining the magic for the very first time.
This group of bright, excited, and truly magical people exceeded all expectations. Their energy in training, role-plays, and learning showed us one thing—we’re in for a strong season ahead (and possibly a Christmas musical with the way they threw themselves into activities).
Santa even made a cheeky early visit, he clearly couldn’t resist sharing his wisdom and dropping in a few “back in my day” stories. Together, we explored our values and culture, which shone through as our Areas began applying them in conversations.
Now, our Areas are geared up and ready to recruit! Returning calls start this week, and job ads are already live. (So if you know an Elf who’d love to join the magic, send them our way!)
A big thank you from the Account Management team to all our Areas for making the start of training so wonderful. You’ve been an incredible group to teach, and we know this has set you up for a season of success!
And from all of us across the business—well done, Christine, our National Training Manager, for leading and driving such an insightful, engaging, and occasionally laugh-out-loud training experience. (Who else could make role-plays feel like Broadway auditions?)
MEET THE MAGIC MAKERS
We’re excited to highlight three of our longest returning Area Managers, each bringing their unique touch and years of experience to help make Christmas magical. Sarah Kleidon, Shell McVay and Bethany Ewell.
Sarah’s journey into the world of Area Manager spans 6 years, beginning in Rockhampton and now taking her into the heart of Brisbane. She’s driven by the desire to create lasting memories for families, recalling the early days when she was drawn to the excitement and energy of the season.
“I wanted to be part of something fun and meaningful…A place where families create memories, and I could proudly say, ‘I know Santa!'” – Sarah.
Over the years, Sarah’s seen the team grow stronger, thanks to improved training and communication.
“The Santa sets are more organised and enjoyable for everyone now” – Sarah
It’s this evolution that keeps Sarah returning year after year.
Shell’s adventure started five seasons ago in Southeast Melbourne when Shae invited her to join the Santa photo team. Originally set to be an Elf, Shell quickly took on the role of Chief Elf and it’s been a whirlwind of magic ever since.
“What excited me the most was joining a bigger, more magical company…It was a chance to take things to the next level.” – Shell
For Shell, the biggest change has been going cashless. “It’s been a game changer… No more cash counting or bank runs—it’s streamlined everything.” – Shell
Shell’s advice for new Area Managers?
“Don’t sweat the small stuff. When you step back and look at the big picture, it’s incredible what we accomplish together.” – Shell
Beth’s path to Christmas magic began with a chance discovery of a job ad in 2012 thinking “What on earth is this? Surely that’s not a real thing?”. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a passion.
“I loved acting and making people smile. Little did I know it would become such a huge part of my life.” – Beth
Beth credits the amazing team for why she returns every year.
“Scene to Believe really feels like a family and I love coming back each year to a fun and friendly group of people.” – Beth
As for the future, Beth is all about adding a bit of extra fun to the set:
“Reindeer rides! [she jokes] But seriously, the new uniforms and props kits are already adding so much magic to the experience!” – Beth
While each of these Area Managers has their own reasons for returning, they share a common goal: Creating magical moments for everyone.
Whether it’s smoother operations, more fun elements like Mrs. Claus, or simply the joy of working with an incredible team, these AM’s are all about making the season unforgettable.
From Sarah’s years of experience to Shell’s focus on efficiency and Beth’s love for the team dynamic, they all agree—there’s no place like Christmas at Scene to Believe.
GRADUATION MAGIC
We’ve recently welcomed some exciting new clients, including William Angliss Institute in Melbourne, where we’re delivering our full graduation magic, from registration all the way through to photography. We’re also suiting up scholars by providing regalia for Academia International and ACHW (Australasian College of Health & Wellness).
Next week, our Canberra crew will be polishing their tassels for the annual UNSW Canberra (ADFA – Australian Defence Force Academy) graduation, always a highlight and guaranteed to keep our local team on their toes.
And because we love to keep busy, we’re also packing our bags (and gowns!) for New Zealand ✈️ to deliver our first Convocation in a while with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). We can’t wait to cross the stage with them! 🎉
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE HQ
🌟 Steering the Sleigh – Latest HQ News 🌟
🚀 Odoo – launched and running smoothly
Our new system is fully live and already helping everything run more efficiently behind the scenes.
⏱️ Tanda – officially up and running
Timekeeping made magical – Tanda is now live, operational, and keeping us on track.
🎓 Welcoming William Angliss Institute
We’re proud to partner with this leading education provider as our newest Graduate client.
🎩 Culture in Action
Our brand promise continues to shine through. Customer Support has been reimagined as the Magic Desk (internal) and Experience Care Team (external).
✨And a special sparkle for Dee – now known as our Chief Magician (internally) and Experience Care Manager (externally).
🎄New Santa Sites for 2025
This season, we’re bringing festive magic to even more communities:
Channel Court – Kingston, Tasmania
HomeCo. Lutwyche – Brisbane
Clifford Gardens – Toowoomba (congratulations Jackie on this one!)
Belmont Forum – Western Australia
📅 Events, Events, Events!
Our Account Management team has been keeping the calendar brimming with client experiences. There’s plenty more magic ahead – keep an eye on the landing page for upcoming highlights
🎅First Santa visit this season at HQ!
Santa Shane surprised our AM training which was a fantastic opportunity to enhance team skills to learn how to better support Santa on set this Summer (think hydration and communication!)
👉 Follow and share the sleigh ride @scenetobelieve
via Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn!
UNTIL NEXT TIME DREAM TEAM
✨ We hope this edition sprinkled a little extra joy into your day.
Like glitter in the breeze, we’ll be back before you know it!
— With cheer, straight from HQ
