Mindfulness in Schools: What Local Programs Are Available

Starting this term, more Tasmanian primary schools are rolling out structured mindfulness and meditation programs as part of their wellbeing curriculum. From Riverside in Launceston down to South Hobart, a growing number of educators are encouraging students to spend a few minutes each morning in guided breathing or a quiet check-in before the start of academic lessons. For many state and independent schools, this marks a new chapter in addressing student stress and helping young people regulate their emotions.

Why Mindfulness, Why Now?

Teachers and school psychologists say the push comes at a critical moment. With concerns around youth mental health on the rise, particularly following disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tasmanian Department of Education is prioritising student wellbeing. Headspace Hobart reported a 28% increase in inquiries related to anxiety among teenagers in 2025, much of it tied to academic pressures and social media exposure. Parents, too, are looking for practical steps schools can take to help children focus, manage stress, and build resilience alongside their academic skills.

Mindfulness in Action Across the Island

One of the most prominent initiatives is Mindfulness Matters Tasmania, a program piloted at Lansdowne Crescent Primary School in West Hobart last year and now expanded to seven more schools, including Montello Primary in Burnie and Sorell School. The Mindfulness Matters sessions, delivered twice weekly, use age-appropriate activities-such as mindful listening, body scans, and gratitude journaling-led by trained facilitators. The program has been supported by a $95,000 grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund in 2025 to reach more regional schools.

Meanwhile, New Town High School hosts daily three-minute mindfulness pauses during morning notices, following the Calm Kids model developed in conjunction with the University of Tasmania’s Centre for Rural Health. Year 9 coordinator Samantha Yates, who helped adapt the materials for secondary students, said this has created a noticeable decrease in classroom disruptions. Elsewhere, schools such as Taroona Primary have woven yoga-based movement and relaxation into their physical education program, using resources from Hobart’s Waiora Wellbeing studio on Murray Street.

Parents interested in after-school options can also find children’s meditation sessions for $8 a class at the Hutchins School Wellness Centre, or a family-friendly Sunday morning mindfulness walk led by Mindful in the Mountains on the slopes of kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

Measuring Impact and What’s Next

It’s still early days for most school-based mindfulness projects in Tasmania, but initial data looks promising. According to the Tasmanian Department of Education’s 2025 Wellbeing in Schools survey, participating schools saw a 14% reduction in reported stress-related visits to the school nurse over the first two terms of program implementation. At Lansdowne Crescent Primary, the number of teacher-reported incidents involving emotional outbursts dropped by 22% compared to 2024 figures.

With interest growing, UTAS researchers are set to launch a two-year evaluation of Mindfulness Matters at eight trial sites beginning September 2026. Results are expected to help determine best practice for scaling programs statewide. In the meantime, experts recommend that parents contact their local school directly to ask about mindfulness options, or visit the Department of Education’s Family Wellbeing webpage for resources on at-home practice. Always consult your GP or a qualified health professional if you have concerns about your child’s mental health.