Leaders in schools often carry a quiet burden: the belief that they should always be doing more. They replay difficult conversations, question decisions and focus on what didn’t go perfectly rather than what went well. In many ways, leaders can be their own harshest critics. The desire to serve their school community well is admirable but constant self-criticism can be exhausting and can overshadow the many positive things happening in…

The latest insights into Principal wellbeing reinforce a clear message: the role is becoming increasingly complex, demanding and unsustainable without support. Across Australia, school leaders continue to report high levels of stress, workload pressure and emotional demand. While the role remains deeply meaningful, the intensity is taking its toll. What Can School Leaders Do? 1. Tackle Workload (Not Just Work Harder) Identify tasks that can be stopped, delegated or streamlined…

There’s no doubt about it—school leadership has become more complex, more demanding and, at times, more relentless than ever before. With increasing expectations, growing student needs and expanding administrative demands, it’s easy to understand why some great teachers hesitate when leadership opportunities arise. But here’s the reality: schools need great leaders more than ever. At its core, leadership is about impact. While excellent teachers influence the students in their classroom, school…

The latest ACU Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey confirms what many school leaders already feel — the role continues to intensify, not ease. The report highlights that principals are working “dangerously long hours” and experiencing increasing emotional load, complexity and moral stress . At the same time, excessive workload remains the number one concern for staff wellbeing, unchanged over recent years . Top 10 Issues Facing Principals Excessive…

Staff shortages are placing enormous strain on schools and when absent teachers aren’t replaced, the impact is felt immediately by those who remain. Extra classes, lost planning time and increased behavioural demands can quickly lead to frustration and fatigue. While the situation is not easily fixed, how schools respond can make a meaningful difference. For Principals, clarity and empathy are critical. Acknowledge the pressure staff are under, silence can be…

The culture of a school is shaped, often quietly, by the behaviours of its leaders. Staff watch closely, absorb signals and take cues from the way leaders communicate, react and make decisions. Understanding the difference between toxic and healthy leadership traits helps create a workplace where people feel valued, supported and able to do their best work. Toxic Leadership Traits Toxic traits are rarely dramatic — they often appear in…

Leadership in schools has never been more important. The impact of a school leadership team is well researched and is evident to every teacher in the school. Highly effective School Leadership Teams have an impact on student learning outcomes through building a positive School Culture. It is vital that School Leadership Teams are effective and aligned. Is your school leadership team effective? Do you know your team’s strengths and areas…

Attached are FIVE resources to support brand new graduates in their first five weeks. The resources come from our brand NEW Happy Teacher - Early Career program. Congratulations On Becoming A Teacher Setting Up For Success The Keep it Simple Guide to Classroom Management Plan For Success Real World Classroom Management The first three years are especially challenging for early career teachers. Whilst they often receive support from mentors and…

School leadership can easily become a cycle of firefighting—responding to issues as they arise, reacting to last-minute demands and operating in constant “busy mode.” But proactive leadership isn’t just more effective; it reduces stress, builds trust and creates a calmer, more organised school environment. Staff like leaders who are proactive and organised and get really frustrated with leaders who are reactive and last minute. Start by protecting time in your…

The beginning of the school year is an important opportunity for leaders to set a positive tone, build clarity and create momentum. A strong start doesn’t happen by accident—it comes from intentional planning, clear communication and a genuine focus on people. Take time to reconnect with staff and welcome new team members. A warm, personal greeting or a quick check-in goes a long way in building trust. Reaffirm your school’s…

As the year draws to a close, it’s easy for leaders in schools to be swept up in end of year events, final reports, staffing plans and the never-ending to-do list. Yet before we move on to next year’s challenges, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the journey you have travelled — and to recognise the tremendous impact of your leadership. Leadership in schools is complex, demanding and deeply human…

I love this guidance from James Clear (acclaimed author of Atomic Habits) and believe it is especially relevant at this time of the year. Something I try to remind myself: In a sense, what matters most is how you respond on the bad days, not the good ones. There will always be very challenging days as we get to this stage of the year. •    Anyone can smile when life…

I love the series and the character Ted Lasso. Perhaps it is my Queensland heritage – we like simple things! At this time of the year it seems timely to share some simple Lasso philosophy. •    Be curious, not judgemental •    Believe in yourself •    Be a goldfish – let go of mistakes and move on quickly •    Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing •    All people…

The end of the school year is always hectic. Finish the year well by protecting energy, closing loops and setting next year up for a smooth start. Here are some practical, time-efficient tips for school leaders: Lock the schedule Map the final term on one page—key events, deadlines, owners—and add a clear “stop doing” list. Share it with staff. Cull meetings Look for opportunities to replace meetings with a weekly…

I am a strong advocate for the impact of leaders. We can’t have great schools without great leaders (PS You can’t have a great school without great teachers too!) The leadership team has a huge impact on school culture, staff satisfaction and making a school a great place to work (in spite of the challenges we face in schools, every day!) Relationships are vital. After all, schools are PEOPLE places.…

In response to the recent Happy School article ‘No Complaining Rule’, a Principal colleague recently drew my attention to the great work of Michelle Loch and her Lochie’s Law. Michelle suggests that every complaint requires at least the exploration of a considered and strategic response, and one that looks to solution rather than focus on problem. Loch explains, we complain and vent a lot.  She explains that complaining and venting are…

When school leaders are proactive and organised, the entire environment shifts—and teachers feel the difference immediately. Instead of scrambling to adapt to last-minute changes, they can focus on teaching, planning and connecting with students. Where staff morale is low, the most common complaint of staff is that their leadership team is Reactive and Last Minute rather than Proactive and Organised. In a school with reactive leadership, teachers often feel like…

School principals and education leaders face constant pressure to improve outcomes while juggling day-to-day demands. The 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX) from Franklin Covey offer a practical framework to help them cut through the noise and drive real progress on what matters most. Discipline 1: Focus on the Wildly Important Instead of chasing dozens of goals, school leaders should identify one or two top priorities—such as improving literacy scores or…

Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy focused on continuous improvement through small, incremental changes. The term "Kaizen" combines the Japanese words kai (change) and zen (good), meaning "change for the better." It originated in Japan after World War II. Kaizen became a cornerstone of the Toyota Production System and has since been adopted globally in manufacturing, business and personal development. At its core, Kaizen encourages everyone—from executives to frontline staff—to contribute…

The teacher shortage is REAL and it is a massive issue! It is complex and I don’t believe there is a simple or easy fix. It is going to take a lot of work and take a long time to fix. However, there is one small thing you can do today to help and it will only take a few minutes. Who was your favourite teacher? Who do you remember…