Mindfulness in schools: what local programs are available

Perth primary and secondary schools are rolling out dedicated mindfulness and meditation lessons this semester, with dozens now incorporating guided practices like breathing exercises and mindful movement into the classroom routine.

This comes after a turbulent start to winter across Western Australia, with June temperatures peaking above long-term averages and raising concerns about mental health pressures on young people. Teachers and school wellbeing officers report spikes in anxiety and behavioural incidents, and are looking for alternatives to manage stress beyond the standard curriculum.

Local programs gain momentum

In the northern suburbs, Balcatta Senior High School introduced twice-weekly ‘Calm Minds’ sessions in March. The program, supported by the WA Health Promotion Foundation (Healthway), offers students aged 12 to 17 brief guided meditations at the start of homeroom and after lunch breaks. Over in East Victoria Park, Ursula Frayne Catholic College piloted mindfulness-themed PE classes, featuring yoga stretches and focused breathing along Berwick Street’s green corridor. Several independent schools have signed up for the Smiling Mind Education Program, an initiative that provides a digital suite of meditations and lesson plans for classroom use—free for public schools and at a cost of $295 per year for non-government institutions.

Kimberley White, a Year 6 teacher at Bayswater Primary, says the change in her classroom since adopting the Mindful Schools curriculum in Term 2 has been noticeable, with students more “present” in class and less likely to become upset during group activities. Mindful Schools, a US-based program, has partnered with a handful of Perth public schools since 2025 through online teacher training and downloadable resources specific to Australian state guidelines.

Evidence and outcomes

Nationwide survey data from the Department of Education (2025) shows that 36% of Australian primary schools now offer some form of structured mindfulness activity. In WA, a Healthway-funded review published in April 2026 found that participating students showed a 25% reduction in reported classroom incidents by the end of term, with absentee rates dropping by nearly one half-day per student each month at schools running regular sessions. Costs vary: public schools can access government-subsidised pilot packs, while private schools often rely on parent committees and local grants.

What’s next for Perth families? School holiday workshops are available at nodes like the Yoga Space in West Perth (Murray St), and Mindful Meditation Australia continues to run after-school clubs along the Swan River foreshore for $15 per session. Educators encourage parents to ask about mindfulness projects at their child’s school or try beginner-friendly sessions in the community, with many resources now available free online thanks to WA Health and Smiling Mind. As the city faces ongoing climate and social pressures, schools say mindfulness isn’t a silver bullet—but for many students, it’s become a steadying daily habit.