Student wellbeing isn’t an “extra”… it is the foundation for everything else in education!

In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we sit down with Ashley McGrath from OurFutures Institute to explore why wellbeing needs to move from the sidelines to the centre of every school conversation.

Ashley shares practical insights into how student and teacher wellbeing directly impact learning, engagement, behaviour, and academic success. Together, we unpack what schools are getting right, where many are struggling, and how educators can create proactive wellbeing cultures that genuinely support students for the long term.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why student wellbeing is the foundation for all learning
• The connection between teacher wellbeing and classroom success
• Early signs that students may be struggling emotionally
• Creating psychologically safe classrooms where students feel seen and heard
• Why reactive wellbeing approaches often miss the mark
• The importance of preventative mental health education
• Supporting students without teachers needing to “become counsellors”
• How peer influence impacts student decision-making
• Evidence-based wellbeing programs and what schools should look for
• Why long-term wellbeing strategies matter more than one-off initiatives

With experience supporting nearly 1,500 schools across Australia, Ashley brings evidence-based strategies, realistic advice, and an encouraging reminder that wellbeing work doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

There are rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Ashley via email: ashley@rethinkcolelctive.com.au or LinkedIn

www.rethinkcollective.com.au

https://ourfuturesinstitute.org.au

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | AMAZON

About Today’s Guest

Ashley McGrath is a founder, author, and systems strategist who works across philanthropy, business, government, and community. He's the author of Rethink - Thriving Young Futures Begin with Systems Change, and the founder of The Rethink Collective, which helps organisations align strategy and collaboration around real social impact.

He co-founded Good in the Hood, a community initiative tackling loneliness in Sydney's Inner West, and Our Futures Institute, which partners with the University of Sydney to bring evidence-based wellbeing programs into schools. He also serves on the board of StreetWork.

Ashley's work is never abstract, it's grounded in a genuine belief that we can build something better, and a practical commitment to doing exactly that.

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