Creating a Wellbeing Environment: Positive Leadership Practices

“Authentic leaders are genuine in their intentions and understand the purpose of their leadership is to serve their community not their self-interest.” - Daniel Goleman Author: PESA with contributions from Kerrin Smith.

Article Key Concept

Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry

An introduction to Appreciative Inquiry (AI), its five principles, the 5-D Cycle and applications Author/ source: AI Commons

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Building a shared responsibility for teacher wellbeing

Presented by Justin Robinson: Director and Co-founder of The Wellbeing Distillery. Cultivating a culture where teacher wellbeing thrives through shared care and collective action.

Webinar/Video Online PD 2026

Staff Wellbeing Idea Bank

200 actionable items organised by risk factor, cost, and impact. This list was developed from focus groups run by The Wellbeing Distillery across 25 schools, offering tested strategies you can adapt to your context. Thank you to The Wellbeing Distillery for sharing with the PESA community.

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Sentiments From Educators: What’s Worked Well for Teacher Wellbeing

A list of real sentiments from educators highlighting what’s worked well and ideas to assist in improving the wellbeing of educators. Use this as ideas for your own workplace or to guide workshops in your own context. Responses are themed and summarised to provide a focus and implementation ideas and why it matters. Author/ source: The Wellbeing Distillery

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2026 PD Wrap Up: Building a shared responsibility for teacher wellbeing

At PESA, our learning focus for Term 1, 2026 is simple yet impactful: putting people at the centre of everything we do. Reconnecting staff, students, and families is the foundation of a vibrant, inclusive community, and it begins with the understanding that staff wellbeing is the bedrock of a healthy learning environment. We were joined by Justin Robinson, Director and Co-Founder of The Wellbeing Distillery, for an online masterclass on ‘Building a Shared Responsibility for Teacher Wellbeing’, where he shared the Wellbeing Quadrant, a practical framework designed to promote wellbeing and proactively prevent ill-being. Below, we have synthesised the key takeaways and curated resources to support your school’s action planning for staff wellbeing. Author/Source: PESA and Justin Robinson, The Wellbeing Distillery

Article PD Wrap Up

The Future We Shape: Smiles, Safety, and School Culture

What does it really take to create schools where people feel safe, valued, and genuinely connected? Author/ source: PESA; Hosted and produced by Kerrin Smith; Dr Sue Roffey; Nicole O'Brien

Podcast

Listening to Flourish: Harnessing High-Quality Listening to Build Thriving Organisations

Good listening isn’t just passive attention; it is an active tool that shapes how people think, feel, and connect. Professor Guy Itzchakov’s research shows that high-quality listening, marked by focused attention, accurate understanding, and a non-judgmental intent, facilitates profound introspection, self-disclosure, and social connection. Author/Source: Guy Itzchakov, Associate Professor, University of Haifa for the Michigan Ross Center for Positive Organizations

Webinar/Video

The Future We Shape: Leading well in today's schools

Leading with compassion and empathy in today's changing landscape. Author/ source: Kerrin Smith, Michelle McQuaid and Kendra Parker

Podcast