Well-Led Schools

If you’ve ever felt the energy dip at school or amongst your team (or yourself!), you already know this episode isn’t about “morale boosters” or surface-level feel-good strategies. It’s about the deeper truth many schools miss: morale is shaped at multiple levels, and the most powerful influences aren’t always the ones we assume.
In this first solo episode of Season 4, Adrienne shares what surprised her most after completing a deep dive into the research on teacher and staff morale. She unpacks the three interconnected layers of morale (personal, school/staff, and professional), why morale is contagious, and what changes when we stop treating morale as solely a leadership responsibility and start naming it a joint or collective responsibility.
Adrienne also introduces what’s new for 2026, including the podcast’s shift to video, a renewed commitment to high-quality, wisdom-led content, and upcoming wellbeing reports that combine research with real-world insights from Staff Wellbeing Survey data across dozens of Australian schools.
In this episode, we cover:
What’s new in Season 4, including the move to video podcasting and a focus on deeper, more authentic conversations
Why morale became a key theme in Staff Wellbeing Survey data, alongside burnout
The surprising realisation that shifted Adrienne’s thinking: morale isn’t only a school or leadership responsibility
What morale actually is, and why it’s complex and multi-dimensional
The three layers of morale and how they interact Personal morale
School/staff morale
Professional morale

The contagious nature of morale and what this means for every staff member’s influence
How schools can buffer system pressures by strengthening what they can control in relation to the eight key domains that shape school morale, including leadership, relationships, workload, systems, recognition, community factors and behaviour support
What quietly erodes morale over time
The role of personal fit and values alignment in sustaining morale
Why sustainable morale improvement requires structure, not just intention, and how Adrienne’s 6-step approach supports this
Links and Resources:
Watch this on YouTube
ARTICLE: Staff Morale in Schools: How Culture, Leadership and Staff Drive Engagement
The 6 Steps to Becoming a Well-Led School
The 9 Guiding Principles of a Well-Led School
Teacher and Staff Wellbeing Surveys
The Well-Led Schools Partnership Program
Teacher Wellbeing Report
ARTICLE: Optimising School Workload with Practical Tips and Resources from the AITSL Workload Reduction Toolkit

Connect with me via:
My website: adriennehornby.com.au
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/
Email: [email protected]


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve worked in a school for more than five minutes, you know that stress in education doesn’t always arrive as a dramatic “I can’t do this anymore” moment. More often, it creeps in quietly through the constant rushing, the emotional load of caring for students, the relentless pace and the thousand tiny demands that pile up before you’ve even finished your coffee.

Many educators tell us they’re exhausted, but oddly unable to “switch off.” They’re wired and tired at the same time. And even when they know they need rest, their body won’t cooperate. This isn’t laziness or lack of resilience; it’s physiology. And understanding the difference can be life-changing.

In this episode, I’m joined by Bianca McLeish, a school wellbeing consultant, author and former teacher with more than 20 years of classroom experience, to explore what it truly means to move beyond surface-level self-care and into genuine self-preservation.

Bianca brings a powerful blend of lived experience and evidence-informed practice, drawing from neuroscience, psychology and Positive Education to help educators understand the physiology of stress, recognise the early warning signs and regulate their nervous system in real time.

In this episode, we cover:
The difference between self-care and self-preservation, and why the latter is essential for overwhelmed educators
Why you can’t think your way out of stress, and the physiological processes driving overwhelm
A simple breakdown of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic vs parasympathetic) and how it shapes your daily experiences
What nervous system dysregulation looks and feels like
How to activate the relaxation response even when your brain still senses threat
The science behind the stress cycle, why most teachers struggle to complete it, and how to finally close the loop
Practical ways to mobilise stress energy even if you don’t have time or energy for a workout
Common reasons why educators find it so hard to relax
Daily micro-practices to reduce stress during the school day, not just after it


About Bianca:
Bianca McLeish is a school wellbeing consultant, author and former teacher with more than 20 years of classroom experience across Australia and the UK. Her journey into educator wellbeing began after experiencing burnout herself - a turning point that led her to explore the science behind stress, resilience and sustainable wellbeing.

Drawing on a Master of Education in Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bianca blends neuroscience, psychology, Positive Education and lived experience to help teachers regulate stress, restore balance and reconnect with their purpose. As the founder of The Teacher Wellbeing Academy and author of Teacher Wellbeing Transformed: Break Free From Survival Mode Before Burnout, she offers compassionate, evidence-informed strategies that support both individual educators and whole-school communities to thrive.

Her mission is to help educators move beyond surface-level self–care and build genuine, sustainable wellbeing rooted in nervous system regulation, practical tools and the belief that teachers deserve to feel safe, supported and empowered.

Links and Resources:
Explore our Well-Led Schools Partnership Program
Get Bianca’s Book: Teacher Wellbeing Transformed: Break Free from Burnout: A Research-Based Guide for Real Teachers


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, so that we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with Biance via:
Website: https://theteacherwellbeingacademy.com.au/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-mcleish-811129271
Facebook: The Teacher Wellbeing Academy
Instagram: @theteacherwellbeingacademy

Connect with me via:
My website: adriennehornby.com.au
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/
Email: [email protected]
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all experienced it to some degree…the racing heart, sweaty palms, dizziness and that fleeting sense of losing control. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jodi Richardson to talk about one of the most common yet misunderstood experiences in both our personal and professional lives: anxiety.

As educators, we’re no strangers to it. The constant juggling of responsibilities, the emotional load we carry for our students and the never-ending to-do lists can keep our nervous system switched “on” far longer than is healthy. Over time, that chronic activation can blur the line between stress, anxiety and burnout - a pattern I know I’ve experienced myself. That’s why this conversation with Jodi is such an important one.

In this episode, we cover:
What anxiety is, and isn’t, and why it’s not always a disorder
How anxiety shows up in our lives: the thoughts, emotions and behaviours others may not see
The hidden cost of masking anxiety at work and how it fuels exhaustion and disconnection
How the nervous system operates
Practical, evidence-based ways to regulate your nervous system and bring yourself back to calm, even in the middle of a busy school day

Whether you’re a teacher, a leader, or simply someone who’s been running on adrenaline for too long, this episode will help you understand your anxiety in a new light and remind you that it’s not something to fear, but something to work with.

About Jodi:
Dr. Jodi Richardson is an author, speaker, and educator who specialises in helping people understand and manage anxiety, regulate their nervous system, and build practical strategies for thriving at school and beyond. With a background in education, wellbeing science, and clinical practice, as well as lived experience with anxiety, Jodi brings both expertise and empathy to her work. Through her books, speaking engagements, and her own podcast, ‘Well, Hello Anxiety,’ she equips individuals, schools, and workplaces with evidence-based tools to support mental health and create environments where people can flourish.

Links and Resources:
Explore our Well-Led Schools Partnership Program

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, so that we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with Jodi via:
Her website: drjodirichardson.com
Her podcast: Well, Hello Anxiety
Get her anxiety toolkit for anxious children and teens here

Connect with me via:
My website: adriennehornby.com.au
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/
Email: [email protected]
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a school’s vision isn’t clear, or worse, when it exists only as words on a website, it can leave staff feeling directionless, disconnected and unsure how their daily work contributes to something bigger.

Without that shared sense of purpose, culture fragments, wellbeing suffers and strategic plans lose their impact.

In this episode, I sit down with James Clanfield, former school leader turned digital strategist and founder of Pillar Digital Marketing, to explore how schools can craft and live a vision that truly unites their community. Together, we unpack how a meaningful vision guides both strategy and wellbeing, what it looks like when wellbeing sits at the heart of that vision, and how James’ CAMPUS Method helps leaders align their vision with everyday actions and communications.

In this episode, we cover:
The importance of having an established school vision to guide school strategy and staff wellbeing
How a vision for wellbeing should connect with and reinforce the overarching school vision
James’ CAMPUS method for aligning vision to actions and internal and external communications
Common mistakes schools make when creating and communicating their vision or strategic plans, and how to avoid them
Strategies for keeping the vision front and centre to ensure commitment and buy-in by all members of the school community
Effective ways schools are using their vision to support wellbeing and culture


About James:
James Clanfield is a former Deputy and Head of Academics and Pastoral Care turned digital strategist, speaker, and founder of Pillar Digital Marketing. He helps schools and education providers grow with clarity using his signature CAMPUS™ Method — a complete marketing and communications strategy designed specifically for the education sector.

James combines real educational leadership insight with strategic execution, offering hands-on support across brand messaging, social media, enrolments, and digital content. Through his content, coaching, and agency work, he empowers leaders and educators to communicate with purpose, lead with vision, and show up with confidence in an increasingly competitive space.

When he’s not building campaigns or attending events, James homeschools his five kids, currently runs his business remotely from Southeast Asia, and works alongside his wife to help educators thrive beyond the classroom.

Links and Resources:
Explore our Well-Led Schools Partnership Program

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, so that we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with James via:
His website: https://pillardigitalmarketing.net/forEducation
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jamesclanfield
Instagram:@jamesclanfield

Connect with me via:
My website: adriennehornby.com.au
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/
Email: [email protected]
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leading a school is one of the most fulfilling jobs you can have — but it can also feel like one of the hardest. Every day, school leaders are pulled between the demands of strategy, staff, students, and their own wellbeing. It often feels like spinning plates, where the slightest wobble in one area impacts everything else. If you’ve ever felt like you’re giving your all yet still wondering how to keep up, you’re not alone.

That’s why I’m thrilled to welcome back Dr. Pete Stebbins to the podcast. Pete is a workplace psychologist, leadership coach, and co-author of the soon-to-be-released book Lead: 12 Extraordinary, Actionable Insights for Every School Leader. He has spent years walking alongside school leaders, distilling the practices that help them move from surviving to truly thriving in their roles.

In this episode, we cover:
Why traditional leadership models don’t always fit a school setting, and what extraordinary leaders do instead.
The three plates of leadership (strategic responsibilities, supportive responsibilities, and self-leadership) and how to balance them.
How changing demands and workforce pressures are reshaping school leadership.
The “seasons of leadership” and how to adapt your focus over time.
Practical ways to strengthen strategy with systems, visibility, and tracking.
Supportive leadership as more than “warm fuzzies”, tackling workload and capacity head-on.
Self-leadership essentials: managing energy, belonging and resilience.
Using vulnerability narratives to navigate tough conversations with care and accountability.
Pete’s simple practice of focusing on three daily priorities for clarity and impact.

About Pete:
Dr. Pete Stebbins, PhD, is a Workplace Psychologist and executive coach, focusing on school leadership development and school improvement. He is the author of the best-selling books: ‘Leading Flourishing Schools’ and ‘iTeams: Why High Performance Teams Fit In AND Stand Out!’. Pete has many years of research and professional practice behind him and is the director of the High Performance Schools Program. His work in this space has reached 16 Countries, impacting more than 600 Schools, and over 5,500 School Leaders and their staff. Pete’s professional passions are developing high-performance teams and building high-capacity school culture.

Links and Resources:
Explore the Well-Led Schools Partnership Program
Check out Dr. Pete Stebbin’s latest book: Lead: 12 Extraordinary Actionable Insights for Every School Leader
Check out his other books here
High Performance Resources: https://www.hptschools.com/tools

Relevant articles and podcast episodes:
The Secret Recipe for Motivating Your Staff to Implement Change in The Workplace
How to Structure and Support School Teams for High Performance with Dr. Pete Stebbins
The Lippit Knoster Model for Managing Complex Change

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 Pete via:
His websites: www.hptschools.com/ and www.drpetestebbins.com/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-pete-stebbins-4a29177/

Connect with me via:
My website: adriennehornby.com.au
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/
Email: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.