wellness
Mindfulness in schools: what local programs are available
Sydney schools have rolled out targeted mindfulness sessions for students this term, drawing on local parks and community venues for daily practice.
How we reported this
Several Sydney primary and secondary schools began offering structured mindfulness programs on 6 July, with sessions held twice weekly during school hours at sites including Surry Hills Public School and Bondi Public School.
Student stress levels have climbed in the first half of 2026, with NSW Education Department figures showing a 19 percent rise in referrals to school counsellors compared with the same period last year. Parents and teachers say the programs give children practical tools to manage anxiety before it escalates, especially after the network disruptions that hit families across the city last week.
Programs running in Surry Hills and the Eastern Suburbs
Surry Hills Public School on Chalmers Street partnered with the Crown Street Yoga Studio to deliver 20-minute guided sessions every Tuesday and Thursday morning for years 3 to 6. The school reports 142 students enrolled so far. At Bondi Public School, classes use the northern edge of Centennial Parklands for walking meditation on Mondays, followed by breathing exercises back in the classroom. Both programs run through the remainder of term three at no extra cost to families.
Manly Village Public School has also scheduled coastal mindfulness walks along the Manly to Spit route once a fortnight, though places are limited to 25 students per outing. Teachers at all three schools completed a two-day training course run by the NSW Mindfulness in Schools Project in May.
Participation numbers and next steps for families
State-wide data released last month shows 87 schools now run at least one mindfulness block per week, up from 61 in 2025. Average session cost to participating schools sits at $85 per class when external facilitators are used. Parents can check availability through their school’s parent portal or by calling the front office before the end of week three.
Families outside these catchments can join after-school groups at the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday evenings for $15 per child. Enrolment for the next block opens 15 July.