Change and Flourishing: Creating the Conditions for Growth in Schools

Written by Andrew Murray, former Principal and Director, Lumina Consulting

It’s time to make a coffee. Take a breath. And reflect.

Schools are ecosystems of change. Throughout my career as a school leader, I was immersed in it all—curriculum reform, project-based learning, blended models, student coaching, PB4L. I loved it. I thrived on it. But one line from Ecclesiastes always stayed with me: “There is a time for everything.”

Sometimes, it’s time to push. Other times, it’s time to pause. Today, I’m choosing to breathe, listen, and reset. There is a time to innovate. And there is a time to pause, listen, and care for the people at the centre of that change.

There is also a time to just be—to consolidate, reflect, and allow the system to breathe. Not standing still, but strategically holding space.

As a leader, you might want to introduce a new PB4L framework, launch restorative practice, or bring in project-based learning. But the more important question is: Is your community ready? In a post-COVID landscape, where student attendance is itself a major project, this question matters more than ever.

Just because you want to implement something doesn’t mean the timing is right. Sometimes, what looks like resistance to change is actually exhaustion. Staff may not be resisting—they may simply be exhausted. And there’s nothing wrong with giving your people a year of grace. In fact, there’s wisdom in it.

Signal clearly: Next year, we’ll take this forward. But this year, we will consolidate. That kind of leadership isn’t passive—it’s profoundly strategic. For some, this feels affirming. For others, it stretches their practice in uncomfortable ways. And that’s okay—flourishing doesn’t mean comfort at all costs. It means having the right support in place so that growth is possible, sustainable, and meaningful.

When educators are rushed—when there’s no time to think, ask, or adjust—flourishing gives way to fatigue. And fatigue slowly erodes the very culture we’re trying to build.

Five Ways to Support Flourishing Through Change

1. Start with Purpose
Make the why clear. Link the change to your school’s values, mission, and shared vision—not just achievement targets or compliance.

2. Protect Time to Plan and Reflect
Deep change needs space. Build in time during meetings and professional learning for teachers to review, adjust, and breathe. This might even be a two-year project before full implementation.

3. Model and Mentor the Practice
Bring in people who can walk the talk. Whether experts, coaches, or internal leaders, these guides help unpack the how and why—and reduce fear through clarity.

4. Strengthen Collaborative Culture
Set up teams that challenge, support, and grow together. These learning conversations build confidence and are one of the strongest drivers of staff wellbeing.

5. Acknowledge the Emotional Landscape
Change brings both grief and hope. Create space for honest conversations—about what’s ending, what’s beginning, and how people are really doing.

Rushed implementation creates confusion. Intentional, caring leadership creates the conditions where people flourish. But how we implement it will determine whether it becomes a source of burnout—or a pathway to excellence. Flourishing isn’t the opposite of change. It’s the outcome of change done well. Behind every initiative is a teacher with a life, a load, and a limit.

So ask yourself: “What would it take for your staff to flourish during your next wave of change?”

This blog is part of a series shared in the lead-up to the National Education Summit, where we’ll be exploring what flourishing leadership looks like in practice. If you’re attending, come along to my session on sustainable change and staff wellbeing—and let’s keep the conversation going.

If you're ready to explore the concept of flourishing and overcoming burnout—for yourself, your team, or your school—I’d love you to join me at the Wellbeing for Future-Focused Schools Conference. I’ll be sharing practical tools and reflections to help you lead with intention, protect your energy, and create a workplace where people feel safe to thrive.

Please feel free to send me a message—I'd love to have a chat with you.

📍 Brisbane: 31 July - 1 August 2025 | Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

📍 Melbourne: 28 - 29 August 2025 | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre