In this episode, I’m joined by Joel Weekes, the Inaugural Head of Junior School at St Gregory’s College. Joel shares his exciting yet challenging journey of building a new school from the ground up.

We discuss the vital importance of finding the right staff, creating a shared vision and fostering a culture that embraces both tradition and innovation. Joel highlights the value of relational trust and parental engagement in establishing a thriving community.

Tune in to hear Joel’s incredible insights on overcoming obstacles, the significance of involving staff in decision-making and the lessons learned from this transformative experience.

Connect with Aimee:
Click HERE to book a Discovery Call with Aimee
LinkedIn: Aimee Presnall
Website: www.well-nest.com.au
Instagram: well_nest_collective_co
Other Podcast: Wonders of Wellbeing

In this episode, Aimee sits down with Andrew McCausland, a passionate classroom teacher who carved his own leadership path when traditional roles didn’t align with his interests. Andrew shares his inspiring journey of seeking out and creating leadership opportunities, from launching a STEM Club and LEGO League to becoming an Instructional Leader in evidence-based teaching practices. Despite facing challenges like time constraints, balancing family life and the mental strain of constant new responsibilities, Andrew’s drive to lead from within his current role kept him pushing forward.

Andrew’s story is a powerful reminder that you don’t need a title to be a leader - you just need the courage to step up and create your own opportunities. Tune in to hear how Andrew turned obstacles into stepping stones, embraced the stress and excitement of new challenges and found recognition through relentless passion and commitment. Whether you’re a teacher, aspiring leader or simply someone looking to break the mould, this episode will inspire you to rethink what leadership can look like.

Connect with Aimee:
Click HERE to book a Discovery Call with Aimee
LinkedIn: Aimee Presnall
Website: www.well-nest.com.au
Instagram: well_nest_collective_co
Other Podcast: Wonders of Wellbeing

In this episode, Paul Ainsworth and Aimee delve into the complexities of transitioning from a large, well-established Multi-Academy Trust to a smaller, startup MAT. Paul opens up about the challenge of moving from a secondary setting where he was deeply connected, to a new environment where he had to quickly adapt to primary expertise and build trust from the ground up.

Paul candidly shares his feelings of isolation and uncertainty in this unfamiliar role, including the struggle of second-guessing his advice and navigating a new set of expectations. He discusses his approach to overcoming these challenges by focusing on building personal relationships with Headteachers, understanding their unique contexts and implementing gradual improvements rather than sweeping changes.

Join Aimee and Paul as they explore the power of small, incremental progress and the critical role of empathetic leadership. Tune in for practical insights on how to foster trust, support and collaboration in new and evolving educational settings.

Purchase Paul's new book HERE
Visit Paul's website HERE

Connect with Aimee:
Click HERE to book a Leadership + Wellbeing Coaching discovery call with Aimee
LinkedIn: Aimee Presnall
Website: www.well-nest.com.au
Instagram: well_nest_collective_co
Other Podcast: Wonders of Wellbeing