WellNessie

With a combined 20 years of experience across primary, secondary, and tertiary education, Dr Marty Hughes and Kaz Hughes are the creators behind all WellNessie Resources — a hub for creative, story-based learning resources that connect wellbeing, curiosity, and curriculum.

Their teaching style is narrative-driven, character-based, and interdisciplinary, blending creativity with curriculum to make learning both engaging and meaningful. Many of their resources are gamified and quest-based, inviting teachers and students to embark on ‘Learning Adventures’ together — exploring a rich range of subjects from literacy, numeracy, and wellbeing to science, physical education, and art. You'll find something for every key learning area.

Kaz Hughes is a highly regarded and much-loved primary school teacher known for her warmth, creativity, and deep commitment to her students. Awarded Probationer of the Year in her first year of teaching, Kaz quickly established herself as an inspiring educator with a particular passion for literacy and numeracy. She designs engaging, hands-on lessons that build strong foundations in reading, writing, and mathematical thinking — helping students grow in confidence and curiosity. Her innovative classroom practice and compassionate approach have made her a valued mentor and role model for both students and fellow teachers, leaving a lasting positive impact on primary education and beyond. Dr Marty Hughes is an established keynote speaker and educator, having presented at prestigious events such as the Royal Society of Biology Annual Teachers’ Meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, and as keynote for the Association of Independent Schools of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. With experience teaching at both secondary and tertiary levels, he has inspired pre-service teachers to bring science to life through fun, engaging, and meaningful methods. Marty received the highest student satisfaction scores in his faculty while lecturing at Charles Sturt University and has secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in competitive research funding to explore ways of improving the wellbeing, mental health, and educational outcomes of at-risk youth.

Kaz Hughes holds a Bachelor of Education (Honours) from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. During her studies, she developed a strong passion for literacy and numeracy, shaping her approach to teaching through creativity, storytelling, and real-world connections. Dr Marty Hughes completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Marine and Freshwater Biology and a PhD in Evolutionary Ecology at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. His academic journey reflects a lifelong curiosity about the natural world and a commitment to making science accessible, engaging, and relevant for all learners. Together, Kaz and Marty bring a rich blend of classroom experience and academic expertise to the WellNessie experience, where education meets imagination.

Marty and Kaz are passionate about creating imaginative, story-based resources that connect learning across subjects and spark curiosity in every classroom. New resources are uploaded regularly, offering teachers fresh ways to explore literacy, numeracy, science, wellbeing, and more through the WellNessie world and its characters. Many resources are also linked to companion books, available to purchase for those who wish to extend the learning experience beyond the classroom. Together, Marty and Kaz aim to inspire both teachers and learners to see education as a shared adventure — full of stories, discovery, and joy.