Rarely in recent history has school leader and staff mental health and wellbeing been so tested as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof Donna Cross discusses school leader and staff wellbeing as a critical factor for student success. In her recent research report, School Leaders’ and Staff Wellbeing is Critical for Student Success, Prof Cross presents an evidence-based perspective on what promotes or erodes school staff wellbeing, which is one of the first in Australia to make links to student wellbeing.