Mindfulness in schools: what local programs are available

Geelong schools began rolling out classroom mindfulness sessions in the first week of July, with two programs now running at sites tied to Barwon Health and the Barwon River corridor.

Student mental health has drawn fresh attention from parents and teachers after repeated reports of rising anxiety levels in Victorian classrooms, prompting schools to look for practical tools that fit into existing timetables without extra cost to families.

Programs tied to local services

Barwon Health runs a six-week mindfulness block for Years 5 to 8 at schools in Geelong West, using the organisation’s community centre on Pakington Street as the base for teacher training. Sessions last 15 minutes and focus on breathing exercises and short body scans before the first class of the day. A second initiative operates at two primary schools near the Barwon River walking trail, where students practise guided meditation on the riverbank once a week under supervision from Barwon Health staff. Both efforts use the same curriculum materials developed by the health service’s child and adolescent mental health team.

Geelong Waterfront parkrun volunteers have also started a short mindful walking option on Saturday mornings for families connected to the participating schools, though the main classroom work remains inside school grounds.

Background on timing and reach

The Victorian Department of Education released updated wellbeing guidelines in late 2025 that encouraged schools to trial short daily practices, and Barwon Health began training teachers under those guidelines in March this year. The service has so far prepared 28 staff across four Geelong schools, with another intake scheduled for August. No attendance fees apply because the work sits inside existing Barwon Health school outreach funding.

Parents who want to see the sessions in action can contact their child’s school office or Barwon Health’s child and adolescent team on the main Geelong switchboard. The next open information evening for families is set for 22 July at the Pakington Street centre, where staff will outline the eight-week cycle planned for Term 3.