Mindfulness in Schools: What Local Programs Are Available

Mindfulness and meditation classes are now part of the weekly routine at several Ballarat schools, including Alfredton Primary and Loreto College, as local educators seek to bolster students’ mental health and focus amid mounting academic pressures.

This growing interest in mindfulness has come as anxiety and stress rates among Victorian school students continue to be a concern post-pandemic. Many Ballarat parents and teachers have pointed to a need for more structured wellbeing strategies, especially as students navigate the demands of NAPLAN testing and shifting social expectations. Schools across the city are investing in programs aimed at teaching kids simple, practical tools for anxiety and emotional regulation.

Local Initiatives Take Root

On Cuthberts Road, Alfredton Primary School has, for the past year, run weekly mindfulness circles in partnership with the Ballarat Mindfulness Centre. The program introduces children in Years 2 to 6 to breathing exercises, body scans, and short guided meditations. Students gather each Wednesday morning in the multi-purpose room before classes begin, spending 15 minutes on mindfulness tasks designed to boost concentration and support emotional self-awareness. Meanwhile, at Loreto College on Sturt Street, the school’s Wellbeing Program has embedded daily quiet reflection time into its Years 7 and 8 curriculum, using resources from Smiling Mind, a not-for-profit Australian mindfulness app.

Mindfulness Ballarat, a local provider of wellbeing courses, reports a steady rise in school partnerships over the last two years. Their facilitators run mindfulness workshops at schools like St Patrick’s College, offering hour-long sessions on techniques such as mindful listening and movement. Workshops are frequently booked as part of the schools’ broader wellbeing days or termly resilience events. Fees for multi-session school packages reportedly start from $120 per class, though some programs are subsidised through grants or the Victorian Department of Education’s Mental Health Fund.

Evidence and Community Interest

The Smiling Mind program, which underpins several Ballarat schools’ approaches, was used by over 3.3 million Australian children online in 2025, according to Smiling Mind’s annual report. Educators using the program in regional Victoria reported improvements in student engagement and school attendance. Ballarat Health Services, headquartered on Drummond Street, has observed a marked interest in preventive mental health education and continues to work with local education providers to tailor resources for younger age groups.

The uptake of school mindfulness programs reflects a broader community movement: yoga and meditation classes at venues like Yoga 101 on Mair Street and community meetups at Lake Wendouree’s surrounds are frequently booked out on term breaks. Locals seeking advice for children’s wellbeing are encouraged to contact their school’s wellbeing officer or consult with local organisations such as Mindfulness Ballarat for recommendations on age-appropriate meditation resources. As Term 3 approaches, several Ballarat schools are reviewing their wellbeing offerings, with pilot mindfulness projects set to expand if positive outcomes persist. Parents with questions about school programs can attend upcoming information sessions advertised through school newsletters or on community noticeboards around Bakery Hill and Wendouree.