Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS)

Building Resilience in Primary School Children

At our school, we are committed to supporting not only academic growth, but also the emotional wellbeing of every student. One of the most important life skills we can help children develop is resilience - the ability to cope with challenges, adapt to change, and bounce back from setbacks.

Resilience doesn’t mean avoiding difficulties. Instead, it helps children face challenges with confidence, learn from mistakes, and keep trying even when things feel tough. These are skills that support success both in and out of the classroom.

In the primary years, children are still learning how to manage big emotions, navigate friendships, and respond to everyday challenges. As adults, we can support resilience by:

• Encouraging a “have a go” attitude
• Praising effort rather than just outcomes
• Helping children problem-solve rather than solving problems for them
• Modelling calm and positive ways to handle stress. 

At school, we explicitly teach these skills through our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. In Years 5 and 6, students participate in The Resilience Project, a nationally recognised program that focuses on building positive mental health through practical strategies.

The program is centred around three key principles (GEM):

• Gratitude – paying attention to and appreciating the positives in life
• Empathy – understanding and connecting with others
• Mindfulness – being present and aware of our thoughts and feelings. 

Through engaging lessons, discussions, and real-life examples, our Year 5 & 6 students learn how to apply these strategies in their everyday lives. This helps them develop emotional awareness, strengthen relationships, and build the resilience needed to navigate both challenges and opportunities.

We encourage families to continue these conversations at home. By working together, we can help our children grow into confident, capable, and resilient young people.

Take care and have a wonderful weekend.