Well-Led Schools

In this episode, I am joined by Chantelle Kohn -  educator, facilitator, change-maker, and Founder of The Change Collab, specialising in helping leaders, teams and teachers develop the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to create and sustain thriving communities. 

In this conversation, we unravel the significance of "soft skills" in education, exploring their role in leadership, the intersection with emotional intelligence, and actionable steps for educators to take to enhance these vital competencies, fostering transformative outcomes for both individuals and school communities

In this episode, we cover:

• The importance of personal development so you can have a positive impact at home, in the workplace and in the community
• How having a scientist mindset versus a judge mindset can help us cultivate deeper relationships
• The difference between soft and hard skills and why a balance of both is needed
• Why soft skills are particularly essential in education for leaders and staff
• How building trust and connection with your teams is essential to resolving and preventing conflict
• Which soft skills are most essential in the education space
• Common challenges educators may be facing that could be greatly improved by focused work on building soft skills and emotional intelligence
• Practical steps that we can take to begin developing our soft skills individually and as a whole school community
• The positive changes that can be seen when a school focuses on developing their people’s soft skills and emotional intelligence

About Chantelle Kohn:

Chantelle Kohn, is an educator, facilitator and change-maker with over a decade of leadership development experience within the non-profit, corporate, government and education sectors. She is passionate about helping others develop the human competencies to transform our communities and create a better society for all. Previously, as a Director of Learning and Development, Chantelle designed and implemented training programs and corporate training for facilitator teams in Australia and across the globe.

Chantelle is now the Founder and Director of The Change Collab, specialising in helping leaders, teams and teachers develop the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to create and sustain thriving communities. She is passionate about supporting leaders to build their capacity to be transformative leaders, team members or educators by strengthening their human skills (‘soft skills’), emotional intelligence, global competence, and intercultural competence. All of which can lead to an increase in the social, emotional and academic outcomes of our students. 

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app - that way, we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with Chantelle via:

Her website: https://www.thechangecollab.com/ 

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantelle-kohn-1a0ab377/?originalSubdomain=au

The Change Collab on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-collab/?originalSubdomain=au 

Instagram: @the.change.collab.community  https://www.instagram.com/the.change.collab.community/ 

Connect with me via:

My website http://adriennehornby.com.au

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/

Email [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In season 2, episode 3 of the Well-Led Schools podcast I am pulling this conversation from the vault.

I was joined on the podcast at the beginning of last year by Rob Lans - school principal and expert on leading schools with wellbeing in mind. 

As we commence 2024, many schools will be focusing on ways to improve staff wellbeing yet, without a carefully planned out and focused approach many will fail to see the results they’re looking for. 

The start of the school year is the best time to reconsider your approach to staff wellbeing so you can kick off the term and year with your best foot forward. 

In this episode, we discuss ten steps you can take to better support staff wellbeing and improve school culture.

In this episode we’ll cover:

• The value of asking your staff about their health and wellbeing and which initiatives they feel would be most supportive
• The importance of adapting the way we lead our school to support our staff, students and community 
• Ways to review our approach to staff collaboration, goal setting and professional development
• Planning effective staff relationship building and collaboration opportunities 
• Practical ways to address staff health and wellbeing that aren’t seen as tokenistic or surface level 

Links and resources

Explore how my services can help you better support staff this year:

Anonymous Staff Wellbeing Surveys: https://adriennehornby.com.au/staff-wellbeing-surveys/ 

My 6 Step Approach: https://adriennehornby.com.au/about-6-steps/ 

Well Led Schools Partnerships: https://adriennehornby.com.au/school-partnerships/ 

Related blog articles 

10 Steps to Take This Term to Improve Staff Wellbeing At Your School: https://adriennehornby.com.au/steps-to-improve-staff-wellbeing-at-your-school/ 

What Is A School Scan Of Wellbeing And Why Does Your School Need To Do One?: https://adriennehornby.com.au/what-is-a-school-scan-of-wellbeing-and-why-your-school-needs-one/ 

Adopting An Inquiry Approach to Staff Wellbeing and School Culture in Our Schools: https://adriennehornby.com.au/adopting-an-inquiry-approach-to-staff-wellbeing-and-school-culture-in-our-schools/ 

Re-Building School Culture And Staff Wellbeing Post Lockdown: Six Emerging Themes In The Research: https://adriennehornby.com.au/rebuilding-school-culture-and-staff-wellbeing-post-lockdown/ 

Additional learning resources and tools

Timperley’s Spiral of Inquiry: https://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/content/download/74475/611763/file/Spiral%20of%20Inquiry%20Paper%20-%20Timperley%20Kaser%20Halbert.pdf 

PLC Maturity Matrix : https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/teachers/management/improvement/plcmaturitymatrix.pdf 

The Futility of PLC Lite: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295833071_The_futility_of_PLC_lite 

Pallet Play: https://www.palletplay.com.au/ 

Free downloadable tools

Teacher Identity Discovery Questions: https://adriennehornby.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Discover-Professional-Identity-.pdf 

Leadership evaluation tool: https://mailchi.mp/adriennehornby/leadership-evaluation 

Team building ideas: https://mailchi.mp/adriennehornby/teambuilding 

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honored that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review in iTunes or on your podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with me via:

My website

Linkedin

Email

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is a continuation of Season 2 Episode 1, where Rob Lans and I dove deep into some of the mistakes we see schools make when it comes to addressing student behaviour challenges. If you missed that one, you’ll want to listen to it before diving into this episode, where we unveil and discuss practical solutions that are realistic and relatively simple to implement.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to ensure you have a systemised approach to student management by crafting a co-created vision for student and classroom management.
• The importance of adopting an approach that embeds empathy, trauma-informed practices and restorative practices
• The value of sharing case studies, experiences and perspectives in order to cultivate empathy and understanding
• How schools can develop creative support systems to ensure that their approach to student and classroom management is a success
• Why it’s vital to ensure follow-through and a systemised communication process
• How a positive behaviour approach can help mitigate a lot of the common mistakes and challenges that come with student management

Links and Resources:

S2 Episode 1: The Top Mistakes Schools Are Making When Addressing Student Behaviour Challenges with Rob Lans

Well-Led Schools Partnership Program: https://adriennehornby.com.au/school-partnerships/

Student Behaviour Pilot Program: adriennehornby.com.au/behaviour-pilot/

Get in contact with us to hear about support options for student behaviour and staff wellbeing:

Email [email protected]

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with me via:

My website

Linkedin

Instagram

Email

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to a brand new season of the Well-Led Schools Podcast! We’ve got lots planned for 2024, and to kick off our first episode of the year, I sat down with School Principal and Student Behaviour Management expert Rob Lans, who you might remember from season 1. 

For this first episode of season 2, we’ve come together to discuss some of the most common mistakes we see schools make when it comes to addressing student behaviour concerns. The reason why it’s so important to be aware of these mistakes (and correct them) is the snowball effect they have on student, staff, teacher and leader wellbeing and overall school culture.

This episode is the first part of two, so don’t forget to tune in to episode 2 next week, where we reveal practical solutions to these common mistakes.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why it’s so important to keep our approach current and aligned with what is going on in the world and in the students' lives
• The importance of reviewing and refining our student behaviour management approach using data
• What happens when there are communication breakdowns and a lack of follow-up between leaders, teachers and students
• Why schools should consider using a trauma-informed, empathetic and flexible approach to student behaviour management
• Why involving the students and allowing them to feel heard is vital to behaviour modification and inspiring change
• How focusing on positive behaviours is just as important as correcting the “negative” ones
• Why having the right access to resources is key to helping students learn, change and thrive
• The effects of having leaders handle student behaviour issues versus the teachers

About Rob Lans:

Early in his career as a high school teacher, Rob’s passion for outdoor education found him searching for ways to engage students and build deeper connections through the natural environment.

After honing his student management skills in an in-school Student Services role, Rob stepped into the ACT Education Office, where he worked with numerous primary schools, high schools and colleges to support leaders, teachers and staff with student behaviours.

Here, he took a diagnostic approach to understanding what students were communicating through their behaviours and worked side-by-side with schools to develop systems and processes for student management.

In 2015, Rob transitioned back into schools in the ACT, first as a Deputy Principal and then as a School Principal since 2018. 

As an add-on to our Well-Led School Partnership program, Rob is partnering with Adrienne Hornby Consulting to remotely support schools to review, refine and systemise a whole-school approach to behaviour management in order to best address staff wellbeing and school culture.

Links and Resources:

Previous episodes with Rob:

S1 E2: How A Systemised Focus On Student Behaviour Management Can Improve The Wellbeing Of School Staff With Rob Lans

S1 E3:10 Steps To Meaningfully Improve Staff Wellbeing And School Culture In 2023

Well-Led Schools Partnership Program: adriennehornby.com.au/school-partnerships/ 

Student Behaviour Pilot Program: adriennehornby.com.au/behaviour-pilot/   

Get in contact with us to hear about support options for student behaviour and staff wellbeing: 

Email [email protected]

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with me via:

My website

Linkedin

Instagram 

Email

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special season finale of the Well-Led Schools podcast, I share some exciting personal and professional updates.

I also reflect on the past season, where I share ten key takeaways that every school leader across Australia should embrace. From nurturing trust to optimising workload and understanding the unique challenges faced by our staff, these insights offer a roadmap to create thriving, “well-led” schools.

But don't worry, this isn't the end… We're taking a short intermission before returning with even more special guests and enlightening episodes in Season 2.

Thank you for joining me throughout Season 1, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Season 2!

Signing off for now,

Adrienne Hornby

School Wellbeing Consultant

Links and Resources:

Reading - The lifecycle of trust in educational leadership: an ecological perspective

Reading - Fostering Teacher Professionalism in Schools - The Role of Leadership Orientation and Trust

Well-Led Schools Episodes Mentioned in This Episode:

Episode 4: The Influential Power Of A Leader’s Wellbeing On Staff And Students

Episode 5: Improve Staff Wellbeing And School Culture With Your Vision With Kate Greeney

Episode 6: An Integrative Approach To Addressing Staff Wellbeing In Schools: Introducing The PERMA(H) Model

Episode 7: The Guiding Principles For Leading Your School With Wellbeing In Mind With Corey Tavella

Episode 12: The Leading Causes Of Workplace Stress And The Top Rated Wellbeing Initiatives Across Australian Schools

Episode 21: Practical Ideas For Nurturing Staff Wellbeing In The Age Of Burnout

Episode 22: Why You Shouldn’t Introduce New Wellbeing Initiatives Until You’ve Conducted A School Scan

Episode 26:  The Hot Debate: Who Is Actually Responsible For Staff Wellbeing? With Adrienne Hornby And Aimee Parkinson

Episode 27: Practical Strategies For Addressing Increased Teacher Workloads

Episode 28:The Key Personal Attributes Every Effective Leader Should Master

Episode 29: Emotionally Intelligent Leadership: Building Stronger Relationships, Inspiring Success

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with me via:

My website

Linkedin

Instagram 

Email

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In order to be great school leaders, we must possess a mix of skills, both academic and personal. But one of the most essential skills any effective leader should have is emotional intelligence. 

As leaders, one of our primary responsibilities is to manage people. Without an awareness of our inner world and that of others and the ability to self-regulate and respond to others with empathy,  it can be challenging to establish relationships built on trust and respect. 

As you’ll discover by tuning into this episode, emotional intelligence comprises a subset of six skills, each of which is an essential aspect of becoming a “people person” and a leader that staff are inspired to follow. 

In this episode, we cover:

• What emotional intelligence is
• Why leaders need to develop theirs
• The key skills that make up emotional intelligence 
• Practical strategies to help you improve on each of these essential skills.

Links and Resources:

• Podcast: The Key Personal Attributes Every Effective Leader Should Master | Episode 28
• Blog article: The Key Skills You Should Be Building to Become an Emotionally Intelligent Leader 
• Blog article: The Most Essential Attributes of an Effective Leader
•  Big 5 Personality Test
• Via Character Strengths
• DISC Personality Test
• DOPE Bird Personality Type

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with me via:

My website

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Email

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 28, I uncover the most essential personal attributes to becoming an effective and inspiring school leader who "leads with wellbeing in mind."

Beyond cognitive skills, personal attributes like self-awareness, empathy, and emotional intelligence are essential for navigating the challenges of education and fostering a thriving school culture.

As school leaders, it's crucial to adopt a wellbeing-focused approach, putting the needs of our staff first. 

By leading with compassion and care, we can inspire and motivate our teams, leading to improved staff wellbeing and student performance outcomes. Tune in to learn about the key attributes that make a difference in educational leadership and discover practical tips for building self-awareness to become a more impactful leader. Let's create a positive and supportive educational environment together!

In this episode, I cover:

• The significance of a wellbeing-focused approach for leaders
• The key personal attributes required for effective leadership
• How leaders can influence staff wellbeing and create a positive school culture
• Practical ideas to cultivate self-awareness and enhance your leadership skills

Links and Resources:

Blog article: The Most Essential Personal Attributes of an Effective Leader

Blog article: A Functional Approach to Leadership 

Blog article: The Key Skills to Become an Emotionally Intelligent Leader

Free personality assessments:

Big 5 Personality Test

Via Character Strengths

DISC Personality Test

DOPE Bird Personality Type

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with me via:

My website

Linkedin

Instagram 

Email

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Workload continues to be a top stressor for staff in schools across Australia. Yet, reducing workload feels like a daunting task when there are growing staff shortages, when student behaviour is more concerning than ever before, and when departmental directives mean more tasks are added to everybody’s plate.  

While it may feel like there is no way around this issue, I want to reassure you there is plenty we can do as leaders to ease the impact of workload for staff. 

In this solo episode, I cover:

• The key factors affecting teacher workload
• Ways to address our school workload problem
• Practical solutions to common workload challenges

Links and Resources:

Anonymous Staff Wellbeing Survey packages

Download the free PDF guide to Addressing Workload at Your School

Blog article: Effective Strategies For Addressing Increased Teacher Workloads

Blog article: The Leading Causes of Workplace Stress for Teachers and School Staff Across Australia

Podcast Episode: EP2: How A Systemised Focus On Student Behaviour Management Can Improve The Wellbeing Of School Staff With Rob Lans

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with me via:

My website

Linkedin

Instagram 

Email

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Staff wellbeing continues to be a hot topic in education circles but one question that comes up time and time and again is - is staff wellbeing the leaders’ or the staff’s responsibility? And while there are fair points to be made for both sides, the answer remains that it’s a joint responsibility. Leaders, teachers and school staff each have responsibilities to uphold which will ultimately contribute to that collective wellbeing we seek. 

In this episode, I am joined once again by fellow school wellbeing consultant and founder of Well-Nest, Aimee Parkinson, where we exchange ideas on the hotly debated topic of staff wellbeing and whose responsibility it ultimately is.  

In this episode, we cover:

• Viewpoints from both sides of the aisle: is it the leaders' or staff’s responsibility?
• The core responsibilities of leaders
• The core responsibilities of staff
• Integrating the joint responsibilities with the PERMA(H) model of wellbeing
• The importance of clearly communicating roles, responsibilities, and the ‘why’ behind a leader’s actions
• The value of being open and vulnerable

If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out episode 25 for an in-depth look at Aimee’s experience in this space and her approach to cultivating a culture of wellbeing in schools. 

Links and Resources:

Anonymous Staff Wellbeing Survey packages

Blog article: The Hot Debate: Who Is Actually Responsible For Teacher And Staff Wellbeing?

Blog article: The PERMAH Model for Workplace Wellbeing 

Well-Led Schools Episode 25: A Growth Map to Improved Wellbeing in Schools With Aimee Parkinson

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with Aimee via: 

Her website: Well-Nest

Her podcast: The Wonders of Wellbeing

LinkedIn

Connect with me via:

My website

Linkedin

Instagram 

Email

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I chat with fellow school wellbeing consultant Aimee Parkinson where we exchange ideas on our approach to coaching educators hoping to foster a culture of wellbeing at their school. 

About Aimee: 

After spending over 12 years in the education system as both a school leader and educator, Aimee saw first-hand how well-being easily becomes a low-level priority when other pressing matters demand attention. Along with these experiences, she combined her Masters of Educational Leadership, a Health and Wellness Coaching Professional Certificate and her research conducted through her podcast The Wonders of Wellbeing to create Well-Nest. Aimee's vision is to plant wellbeing at the heart of who schools are and what they do. She aims to support schools that are finding it tremendously difficult to not only support staff wellbeing but to know where to even begin.

Well-Nest consulting and coaching services supports school leaders, teachers and administrators by helping individuals and teams take gradual steps towards identifying and addressing the issues affecting wellbeing, both personally and professionally. Through personalised guidance, they provide strategic wellbeing growth maps that break down the process into manageable, actionable steps, ensuring progress is made toward restored wellness.

In this episode, we cover:

• The four key pillars of wellbeing that Aimee integrates into her coaching approach
• Common challenges educators are facing when it comes to establishing a culture of wellbeing
• The importance of addressing not just professional wellbeing, but also personal wellbeing of leaders and staff
• The steps in Aimee’s “Growth Map” approach
• How having a vision for wellbeing can act as a motivator and reminder of our purpose

Links and Resources:

Anonymous Staff Wellbeing Survey

Connect with Aimee via: 

Her website: Well-Nest

Her podcast: The Wonders of Wellbeing

LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.