Mindfulness in schools: what local programs are available

Breathing exercises, moments of silence and guided meditations are weaving their way into school routines at public and private campuses across Perth. At Subiaco Primary, Year 4 students spent their Wednesday morning practising three-minute breathing spaces before maths class, part of an ongoing pilot run by the school’s wellness coordinator. The craze is spreading: more schools from Beldon to Victoria Park are trialling or expanding mindfulness programs, aiming to counter rising reports of anxiety among students.

Why the push? According to the 2025 Mental Health Commission WA school survey, 41% of children under 16 in the Perth metro area reported feelings of stress “most days.” Teachers throughout the state say they are increasingly dealing with students distracted by digital devices, family disruptions, or global headlines as close as social media on Beaufort Street. Mindfulness, once considered an adult pursuit consigned to yoga studios in Leederville, is now being tapped by educators in an attempt to steady students’ focus and build emotional resilience before problems snowball.

From Maylands to Murdoch: Uptake and Approaches

The Mindful Schools Project WA, run out of Murdoch University's School of Education, is currently partnering with more than 18 schools throughout the broader metropolitan area. The program—funded in part by Lotterywest grants and backed by Curtin University's School of Psychology—offers weekly curriculum sessions for students as young as Year 2. At Maylands Peninsula Primary, teachers have been trained to use the Smiling Mind Education Program, a free digital resource developed in Australia and rolled out in more than 7,800 schools nationwide. After a trial in Term 4 last year, Maylands parents were surveyed and 73% supported continuing the mindful moments initiative, citing calmer classrooms and an improvement in student self-regulation.

Elsewhere, private schools such as St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls in Mosman Park incorporate daily meditative practices during wellbeing periods, including gentle movement, breathwork and visualisation. Meanwhile, government-run schools in East Perth are making use of support from the WA Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS), which delivers workshops and resources for building emotional literacy and stress-management skills in primary grades. These sessions have been held at the CAHS hub on Wellington Street, with tailored follow-up for teachers to keep programs going on campus.

The Evidence and Practical Steps

Analysis from the Department of Education WA shows schools using structured mindfulness programs have reported a 21% drop in playground incidents linked to aggression or emotional outbursts over a 12-month period. Smiling Mind recently released findings showing nearly 65% of Perth teachers using its app in classrooms felt better equipped to help students manage stress. Participation remains free for most local state schools—schools interested in a full suite of workshops or paid training options should expect to budget between $400 and $1,200 for group sessions facilitated by Mindful Schools Project WA, depending on group size and program length.

For parents keen to see mindfulness incorporated at their child’s school, both Smiling Mind and WA-based Mindful Meditation Australia offer resources and starter packs, and many local practitioners welcome the chance to guide school P&Cs through sample sessions. Educators can tap into regular in-service training held at the WA Education Building on Royal Street, East Perth—next session is scheduled for August 22. With screen time up and stress on the rise, interest in school-based mindfulness is only expected to grow in the coming terms. Families curious about practices outside the classroom can try Saturday morning outdoor sessions at Kings Park or Swan River led by accredited instructors—with most classes charging $15–$20 for drop-ins. As this movement gains momentum, Perth schools are signalling that taking a mindful minute is now part of a normal school day, not the exception—and local experts say the results could make a difference far beyond the classroom.