Rainbow Skies for Teachers
Hey there, amazing teachers - this podcast is for YOU! Whether you’re just starting your teaching journey or you're a seasoned educator seeking inspiration, Rainbow Skies for Teachers is here to help you thrive in and out of the classroom.
We’re Ashleigh and Alisha, your enthusiastic hosts and co-founders of Rainbow Sky Creations. With 20+ years of combined experience in primary education, we’re dedicated to sharing practical advice, supercharged tips, and game-changing strategies to help you succeed as a teacher.
Whether it’s crafting engaging lessons or perfecting your classroom management, we’ve got your back. We're on a mission to lead an education revolution; one inspired teacher at a time….
There are rainbows ahead, and together, we're unstoppable!
You can follow us on Instagram or TikTok @rainbowskycreations
To discover more helpful tips + tricks for teachers, head to http://www.rainbowskycreations.com
Rainbow Skies for Teachers
141. Student Wellbeing Starts Here with Ashley McGrath
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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
https://ourfuturesinstitute.org.au
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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.