“When I first heard about the Dare To Be A Rockstar program, I’ll admit — I was skeptical,” Ms Haig said.
“Our staff had done wellbeing workshops before. They were nice in the moment, but nothing really stuck. We needed more than a motivational quote and a cup of tea.”
Ms Haig said it was immediately apparent that the Dare To Be A Rockstar program was different.
Dare To Be A Rockstar focuses on helping teachers prioritise their authentic selves, health and wellbeing in the classroom and take emotional and intuitive needs into account in their roles while building confidence and finding a renewed sense of purpose in their role.
“From the first session, something shifted. It wasn’t about fixing teachers or adding to their load. It was about giving them real tools — practical strategies they could use the very next day.
“One teacher said, ‘This is the first time PD has actually helped me survive a Tuesday.’ We started learning how the nervous system works under stress — why we react the way we do when we’re overwhelmed or under pressure. And more importantly, how to respond instead,” Ms Haig said.
“Teachers began using the language: ‘I’m in my survival brain’, or ‘Let’s pause before we respond.’ It was honest. It was human. And it spread.
“We began naming the invisible emotional labour of teaching — the tension we carry, the stories we don’t always say out loud. Suddenly, people weren’t just venting in the staffroom. They were reflecting, supporting, and making space for each other,” she said.
It wasn’t about being perfect — it was about being real and resourced. We weren’t asked to
‘wellbeing harder’. We were given permission to lead and live with more self-compassion.
“Six months on, our staff culture feels lighter. We’re speaking the same language. We’re more grounded. And perhaps most importantly, our teachers are starting to leave school at school.
“If you’re a school leader wondering whether it’s worth the time — I can tell you: it absolutely is”.
Ms Haig holds a Bachelor of Primary Education Primary from Australian Catholic University and a Masters of Educational Studies from University of Queensland.
For more information about the Dare To Be A Rockstar program, visit Beyond the Classroom Australia.
Read more: St Mary’s students and staff have a voice with ‘Dare to be a Rockstar’ program
