Well-Led Schools

In episode 24 of the Well-Led Schools podcast I am pulling this conversation from the vault.

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

As we roll into the second half of the year, 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 (or of a new term) 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/ 

Staff Wellbeing Workshops: https://adriennehornby.com.au/staff-development-workshops/ 

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 honoured 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.

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In this episode of the Well-Led Schools podcast, I am joined by Michael Sloan, long time educator and the current school principal at Denison College - Kelso Campus in Bathurst, Australia. Mick enrolled his school in the Well-Led Schools Partnership program last year and since then, I’ve seen them make huge strides toward embedding a culture of wellbeing at their school.

So far, we’ve ran a school scan, identified areas of focus, engaged his teams in professional development workshops, and set a vision the all school staff can get on board with. Next up, we’ll be working with the leadership team on building rapport and trust in order to have difficult conversations with staff and creating a Wellbeing Action Plan that will set their school up for success now and in the future. 

Tune into this episode to discover

• Why Mick chooses to prioritise wellbeing in his approach to leadership
• How to get leaders to a place where they’re supporting their people to be the best they can be
• The importance of communicating the “why” of your leadership decisions and actions
• What the school scanning process uncovered for the staff of Denison College - Kelso Campus
• The process and importance of creating a shared vision for your school

About Michael:

Michael (Mick) Sloan is the principal of Denison College - Kelso Campus in Bathurst. He spent most of his career in education working in the Bathurst area and surrounds, he takes an interest in building his staff’s capacity and wellbeing to best support the students and community. Michael’s aim is to continuously focus on both staff and student wellbeing and data-informed practice to create a culture of inclusion and connection where learning is valued. In 2022, he was the recipient of a 2022 Harvard Principals Scholarships where he traveled to the Harvard Graduate School of Education to complete a professional education program specifically designed to strengthen the skills of educational leaders.

Links and Resources:

Get started with a school scan with our Anonymous Staff Wellbeing Survey

Blog article: What Is A School Scan Of Wellbeing And Why Does Your School Need To Do One?

Blog article: Adopting An Inquiry Approach To Staff Wellbeing And School Culture In Our Schools

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 Mick Sloan:

LinkedIn

Check out all the great work they’re doing at Denison College - Kelso High Campus by visiting their school website https://kelso-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/ 

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The foundation for problem-solving lies in gaining a thorough understanding of the issue at hand. By delving deep into the problem, we can develop effective solutions that address the root causes rather than merely providing temporary fixes.

In this episode, I introduce a concept called the "school scan of wellbeing." This exercise involves examining various pieces of data to uncover valuable insights and shed light on the underlying problems within a school and their potential causes.

I cannot stress enough the significance of this initial step before implementing new initiatives aimed at improving staff wellbeing. When we overlook this crucial phase, we often resort to tokenistic measures that lack the power to bring about lasting change. This approach can prove immensely frustrating for both leaders and staff, as it fails to produce tangible, long-term improvements.

By prioritising a thorough understanding of the problem through the school scan of wellbeing, we lay the groundwork for meaningful transformations and ensure that our efforts are not in vain.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a scan is and why we do it
• The benefits of conducting a school scan
• How to scan your school 
• What to do with the information from your school scan

Links and Resources:

Get started with a school scan with our Anonymous Staff Wellbeing Survey

Learn more about my 6-Step Approach

Blog article: What Is A School Scan Of Wellbeing And Why Does Your School Need To Do One?

Blog article: Adopting An Inquiry Approach To Staff Wellbeing And School Culture In Our Schools

Blog article: The Wellbeing Action Plan: An Essential Tool For Ensuring Staff Wellbeing In The Workplace

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:

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Constant exhaustion, chronic stress and anxiety, and physical symptoms like headaches and digestive issues are just some of the signs that you may be suffering from burnout. In today’s demanding world, many professionals struggle to balance life and work, and self-care is often pushed to the bottom of the priority list. 

School leaders, teachers and staff are particularly susceptible to burnout. Our Australian schools survey data from the past year shows that on average, 56% of school staff report feeling burnt out. When more than half of the school staff across the country are feeling this way, it should be no surprise to see a massive exodus from the profession over the coming years. 

Instead of just letting matters slip out of our hands blaming the profession entirely, there is plenty we can do on school grounds, starting right now, to make a profound and lasting impact that safeguards the wellbeing of staff and our students. 

In this solo episode, I cover: 

• The telltale signs of burnout
• The leading causes of teacher burnout
• My approach to addressing and supporting staff burnout in schools
• Effective ways to support burnt-out teachers and staff

Links and Resources:

Visual: Managing Staff Mental Health and Burnout

Anonymous Staff Wellbeing Surveys

Download the PDF Guide for Supporting Burnt Out Staff

Online Wellbeing Course for Educators

Blog article: 10 Practical Strategies For Beating Staff And Teacher Burnout

Blog article: The Age Of Burnout And How To Fight Back 

Blog article: 23 Simple Ways To Manage Burnout So You’re Always Prepared When Stress Hits

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.

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Self-care is so much more than bubble baths and face masks… The self-care that really makes a difference in our resilience involves developing a deep sense of self-awareness and the ability to advocate for what we truly need to flourish and thrive in life and at work. 

In this episode, I am joined by educator and teacher wellbeing coach, Ellen Ronalds Keene where we exchange anecdotes and ideas about resilience, teacher wellbeing and the importance of putting yourself as a person first.

About Ellen: 

Ellen Ronalds Keene is an educator, wellbeing coach, podcaster producer and digital homebody. She spent a decade as a high school music teacher before moving into the online business world. After struggling to find a way to fit into standard inflexible workplace schedules, Ellen decided instead to design a flexible life and work around her chronic illnesses. Following passions for education, all forms of audio, and online communication, Ellen works from home and now splits her time between 2 businesses: the boutique podcast production agency, Perk Digital and the teacher wellbeing support hub, Self-Care for Teachers.

In this episode, we cover:

• The importance of advocating for your health and needs
• What it means to be a resilient educator
• Separating your personal identity from your professional identity 
• Common strains teachers and leaders experience that could be impacting wellbeing
• Tell-tale signs you aren’t putting yourself first
• Tips for seeking support from your leaders and supervisors

Links and Resources:

Join our online wellbeing course for educators today

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

Blog Article: The Top Rated Initiatives To Improve Staff And Teacher Wellbeing (And How To Address Them)

Blog Article: 10 Steps To Take This Term To Improve Staff Wellbeing At Your School

Blog Article: 9 Reasons to Put Staff Wellbeing at The top of Your Priority List

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 Ellen: 

On Instagram @selfcareforteachers 

On Facebook

On LinkedIn

Website: https://selfcareforteachers.com.au 

The Teacher Wellbeing Podcast

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Teaching is regarded as one of the most stressful professions in Australia, and navigating the shifts brought on by the pandemic has only amplified these feelings for staff. 

Chronic stress ultimately leads to teacher burnout and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. A study based on Australian school teachers reported that teachers are more depressed and anxious than the average Australian. With more than half suffering from anxiety and nearly one-fifth feeling depressed. 

Teacher burnout is a growing problem across schools worldwide as teachers struggle to manage their workload, and their classrooms and live up to growing expectations amongst staff shortages and the implications they’re still experiencing due to the pandemic. 

With these statistics on the rise, it makes sense that our approach to managing staff mental health and wellbeing needs to change. 

In episode 19, I discuss:

• How burnout and stress affect teachers and staff
• Why it’s essential to address staff mental health in schools
• Ways to create and promote a mentally healthy workplace

Links and Resources:

Join the May 11 live training - Develop Your Staff Wellbeing Action Plan To Inspire A Positive Change In Culture At Your School In 2023

Blog article: 7 Ways To Promote Staff Mental Health And Wellbeing To Create A Mentally Healthy Workplace

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:

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In episode 18 of the Well-Led Schools podcast, I am joined by Violetta Znorkowsky, a leadership mentor, meditation/mindfulness teacher, holistic counsellor, experiential educator and the founder of Expand and Impact. In the episode, Violetta shares powerful insights into what it really takes to feel a sense of emotional wellbeing and the importance of developing skills like self-awareness, emotional intelligence and empathy in order to thrive in our emotional world. 

When you’re emotionally well you’re more capable of processing your emotions using healthy coping strategies and mechanisms and you’re going to be more likely to see yourself in a positive light and be resilient in the face of stress.

About Violetta

Violetta Znorkowski is the Founder and Facilitator at Expand and Impact, an Experiential Education Company that works with Female Professionals and Entrepreneurs who want to challenge the status quo and create a new normal in how success and leadership looks and feels.

With over 10 years of experience and an international career working around the world with both youth and adults to develop leadership skills, raise emotional intelligence and build resilience, Violetta is passionate about guiding others to safely explore their connection to self, others and the world around them. Her work is informed through her training in Holistic Counseling Psychology, Leadership Coaching and Mindfulness and Meditation Training; blending Eastern and Western philosophies and techniques to consider the WHOLE person. 

“Emotional wellbeing is an individual's capacity to move through the many different emotional states without getting stuck in one or the other” - Violetta Znorkowski

Tune into this episode to discover:

• What emotional wellbeing is
• Signs that you have a strong sense of emotional wellbeing
• How to know if your emotional wellbeing needs a boost
• What emotional intelligence is
• Strategies to cultivate greater emotional intelligence
• Ways of connecting to our physical selves to become more attuned to our emotional wellbeing 

Links and Resources:

Join our online wellbeing course for educators today

Free boundaries visualisation resource

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 Violetta: 

On Linkedin 

Through her Website ‘Expand and Impact’

Listen to Violetta’s podcast ‘Expand and Impact’

Connect with me via:

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Do you feel satisfied and fulfilled in your career?

In episode 17 of the Well-Led Schools podcast, I am joined by recruiting strategist and career wellbeing expert Deb Houston.

Career or occupational wellbeing indicates being satisfied with our jobs and career paths and feeling fulfilled in this aspect of our lives. It’s also about being involved in work that provides satisfaction and aligns us with our values and goals. Finally, in order to feel peak levels of career wellness, we need to be involved in roles and activities that allow us to demonstrate our skills while also pursuing opportunities to reach greater heights professionally.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to know if your career wellbeing is thriving
• The role of values and boundary setting for improved occupational wellbeing
• Signs that you might not be satisfied with your current role or career path
• Practical advice for leaders who want to support staff who have expressed concern about their career wellbeing

About Deb: 

Deb Houston has 17 years of recruiting experience both in the UK and Australia and now runs her own consulting agency, Phlox Consulting. Through a supportive, consultative and fun approach to recruitment, Deb mentors both job seekers and employers to help them achieve the best possible match for their goals. 

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.

Links and Resources:

Join our online wellbeing course for educators today

Connect with Deb:

On LinkedIn 

Phlox Consulting

Podcast: You Hired Me At Hello

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Are you connected to your highest self? 

In episode 16 of the Well-Led Schools podcast we dive into the spiritual dimension of wellbeing alongside the lovely Harmony Robinson-Stagg. 

Spiritual wellbeing pertains to the search for purpose and meaning in life. Spirituality doesn’t necessary refer to religion in this context, although the two certainly are linked, it could also include a belief in a higher power, the understanding that you have of yourself, what you were put on this earth to do, what your goals and values are and the impact you can make during your time here. 

About Harmony:

Harmony is an Ayurveda and Women's Health Practitioner & the founder of the Ayurveda Alchemist Academy. She is also a registered nurse with more than 17 years of experience in the health & wellness industry. Her mission is to bridge the gap between Eastern & Western medicine.

As the founder of the HigHERself ™ Method, she takes a unique approach to support women in reclaiming their health & balance their hormones so that they can show up as their higher-self in all areas of their lives.

Harmony is also the host of a very popular Health & Wellness Podcast called Harmony Inspired Health. She is a twin mum to two beautiful boys, a yoga teacher and a self-confessed chai latte enthusiast.

Tune in to discover:

• What Ayurveda is and how it can support your wellbeing
• How identifying your Dosha type can help you establish better spiritual balance
• Signs that your spiritual wellbeing may require some attention
• The role of self-awareness in spiritual growth
• Practical tips for educators who are feeling disconnected from their purpose
• Ideas to help schools promote spiritual wellbeing within their staff and classrooms

Links and Resources:

Join our online wellbeing course for educators today

Discover your mind-body type by taking the Dosha quiz

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 Harmony:

Website: www.harmonyinspiredhealth.com.au

On Instagram: Harmony.Inspired.Ayurveda

Join Her Free Community Group

FREE Foundations of Ayurveda Course

Harmony Inspired Health Podcast

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Let’s talk about money, shall we?

Continuing on with the dimensions of wellbeing series, in episode 15 of the Well-Led School podcast, I am joined by stock advisor and financial wellbeing expert, Jon Moses. 

About Jon:

Jon Moses is the owner of JM Investments, a full-service stockbroking firm that provides a personalised service with an ethical footprint. With over a decade of experience working in commodity and financial markets, Jon helps clients invest in the stock market without the stress or worry usually associated with it.

Apart from his expertise in the stock market, Jon is also a Lifeline counsellor since 2017. He believes that facing one's money stories, traumas, and blocks head-on is essential to reach financial goals and live a truly rich life. With his deep understanding of behavioural finances, Jon combines his counselling skills with his financial expertise to help his clients develop investment portfolios tailored to their unique situations.

If money talk tends to stress you out, or if your financial wellbeing could be better off, you’ll want to tune into this episode where we chat about: 

• What it means to have a healthy sense of financial well-being
• Common limiting beliefs that could be holding you back from feeling financially well
• Some of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to finances
• The BEST way to remove anxiety around money
• The top causes of financial stress
• Steps you can take to feel more in control of your finances

Links and Resources:

Join our online wellbeing course for educators today

Jon’s Top Tips for Supporting Your Financial Wellbeing 

1. Work out what you’re spending money on
2. Identify what expenses are non-negotiable and most valuable to you
3. Have an emergency fund of 3 months wage
4. Create an automated savings and investment system
5. Build a financial plan for your future
6. Seek out a financial advisor for support

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 Jon:

Instagram: jm_investments_advisory

Website: jminvest.com.au

Connect with me via:

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Email

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.