How School Leaders Can Turn Wellbeing Insights Into Lasting Change

In today’s schools, the wellbeing of students, staff, and families is more crucial than ever. Yet, knowing where to start and how to make a real difference can feel overwhelming for school leaders. The most effective change often begins with a simple but powerful act: listening.

Many schools are now using comprehensive wellbeing surveys to gather honest feedback from their communities. These surveys, such as those offered through Living Ripples, provide valuable data that goes beyond surface level observations. While behavioural issues may seem minimal on the outside, deeper analysis often uncovers hidden challenges like low hope or increased anxiety among certain student groups. For principals and teachers, these insights are a catalyst for action, helping them move beyond assumptions and respond to the real needs of their students.

A proven approach to driving positive change is to adopt a continuous cycle: listen, act, reflect, and improve. Wellbeing is not a one off project - it is an ongoing commitment. By regularly checking in, tracking progress, and collecting feedback, schools can ensure their wellbeing strategies remain relevant and effective. Importantly, this process can be adapted to fit each school’s unique context, making it both practical and sustainable.

This cycle lies at the heart of the Living Ripples process, where each school adapts the process to fit its unique context, ensuring it remains practical and sustainable.

Turning Insights Into Action

Once the surveys are completed, data is grouped into nine key themes or factors. This analysis provides schools with a deeper understanding of their community’s needs, guiding reflection, review, and the development of targeted wellbeing strategies. Reports also include comparisons across year levels over time and benchmarks against national norms - helping schools interpret and respond effectively to their students’ wellbeing. Working with a facilitator, the school team then translates these insights into a practical Action Plan, focusing on priority areas that are often already familiar to the school.

Within six months of implementing the Action Plan, the school reconvenes with WiLDlab facilitators to review progress, refine the next steps, and prepare for the following school year.

Building a Thriving School Community

Together, Living Ripples and the Flourish Movement are building a national network of schools where students, staff, and families are supported to thrive. By prioritising wellbeing in leadership and student experience, these initiatives foster resilient, engaged, and forward-thinking school communities. Importantly, school leaders can feel confident that they are not only equipped to drive positive change but also to model the practices they want to instil across their communities.

Learn more about Living Ripples on our website.

Listen to Liz Phillips from the Phillips Foundation - Living Ripples philanthropic partner, in conversation with Dr. Adam Fraser about the partnership here.