Wellbeing that sticks: How to run a whole-school wellbeing challenge

Running a school-wide wellbeing challenge is one of the most effective—and enjoyable—ways to promote mental health, reduce stress, and build resilience across your school community.

When done well, it becomes more than a feel-good initiative. It’s an engaging, educational, and social experience that helps students, teachers, and whānau build habits that support wellbeing for life—and lays the foundation for a positive school culture.

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Why it works

A wellbeing challenge gives everyone a shared focus: looking after themselves and each other. Instead of just talking about wellbeing, participants experience it through small, daily actions like movement breaks, mindful moments, gratitude, kindness, or screen-free time.

• Students learn that wellbeing is something they can practise for life—and that it can be fun.
• Teachers and school employees gain simple tools to manage their own stress while building stronger connections with students and colleagues.
• Whānau feel more involved and often pick up strategies they can use at home too—sparking great conversations and shared experiences.

Related School News article: From stress to success: supporting student and teacher wellbeing

Together, these actions create a stronger, more connected school culture where wellbeing becomes part of daily life.

So how do you run a successful wellbeing challenge? Here are some tips that will help you

1. Choose the right format for your school

• With technology: Use a wellbeing challenge web app or platforms like Google Classroom or Seesaw to post daily actions and track participation. Some schools use digital leaderboards or photo submissions to boost engagement.
• Low-tech: Go simple with printed challenge cards, posters, and a visual tracker in each classroom or shared space. Introduce each day’s action at assembly or in class

2. Keep it simple

Pick a theme like Te Whare Tapa Whā, Five Ways to Wellbeing, or Boost Your Energy, and build small, manageable actions around it. Keep activities age-appropriate and accessible for whānau to join in at home.

3. Involve everyone

Invite ideas and feedback from staff, students, and families. When people feel included, they’re more likely to engage.

4. Make it visible and shared

Use posters, whiteboards, or digital platforms to track participation and celebrate progress. Set up a gratitude wall or photo board showing people taking part. This is great for motivating everyone and reinforces a shared sense of purpose.

5. Encourage reflection

Ask participants to reflect on how the challenge is helping them. Reflections help to tie the activities they are doing to how they feel as a result which will make the learning that much more powerful.

6. Include prizes

Small rewards help keep things fun. Try class play breaks, certificates, or simple individual prizes. It’s less about cost and more about recognition and shared success.

A wellbeing challenge doesn’t need to be perfect—just real, inclusive, and focused on small daily actions. When students, teachers and families participate together, it creates a ripple effect that strengthens connection and supports lifelong wellbeing.

This article was written for School News by Jo Fife, CEO, Speaker, Facilitator, Wellbeing Consultant at Workplace Wellbeing.