Moorabbin Schools Launch Mindfulness Programs to Reduce Student Stress

Mindfulness meditation and relaxation sessions are finding their way onto the timetables of Moorabbin’s primary and secondary schools, as educators respond to rising reports of classroom anxiety and stress among students.

Teachers in Moorabbin have noticed how pressures from academic assessments, technology distractions and even post-pandemic social challenges are taking a toll on young people. With mindfulness strategies now a topic at staff meetings and parent forums at several schools in the area, the push is on to equip children with practical skills to manage their own wellbeing.

New Programs on Tucker and Rowans Road

Southmoor Primary School, located on the corner of Ward Crescent and Deakin Street, has rolled out the Mindful Kids Program to its Years 3-6 classes this term. Developed by Bayside Mindfulness Collective, this course introduces weekly guided meditation sessions and breathing exercises. At St Catherine’s Primary on Tucker Road, "Calm Classrooms" is now embedded in the daily routine, with students pausing mid-morning for a five-minute body scan or visualisation exercise led by teachers.

Community groups are stepping in as well. The Moorabbin Family Wellbeing Centre on South Road offers after-school meditation classes specifically for young people aged 8-14, with enrolment starting at $12 per session. Program coordinators at the centre report that interest has doubled since the start of 2025, and waiting lists are now a regular feature each term.

Evidence and Local Take-Up

A surge of interest in mindfulness is not unique to Moorabbin, but the local uptake stands out. According to a 2025 report published by the Kingston Wellbeing Network, two out of five primary schools across postcode 3189 now offer structured mindfulness programs, up from just one in ten five years ago. Nationally, a survey conducted last year by Smiling Mind, a school-based mental health provider, found that students who participated in their mindfulness modules reported a 31% improvement in focus and emotional regulation.

The cost to run in-school mindfulness programs varies widely. At Southmoor, parent fundraising covers most of the $620 termly fee for the Mindful Kids facilitator, while some other schools use discretionary budget allocations or apply for grants through local foundations. Despite the challenges of timetabling and funding, teachers in Moorabbin are reporting calmer classrooms and quicker post-break settle times after introducing mindfulness sessions.

For families seeking to get involved, local venues like the Moorabbin Family Wellbeing Centre and online offerings from Bayside Mindfulness Collective run free introductory sessions each term. Schools recommend parents contact the school office or local council Youth Services on Nepean Highway for more information, as new mindfulness opportunities will be running during the upcoming spring break.