Image by Studio Romantic on Unsplash.
<h4>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.</h4>
<p>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.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/latest-print-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Read the latest print edition of <em>School News</em> online HERE.</b></a></p>
<h4><strong>Why it works</strong></h4>
<p>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.</p>
<ul>
<li>Students learn that wellbeing is something they can practise for life—and that it can be fun.</li>
<li>Teachers and school employees gain simple tools to manage their own stress while building stronger connections with students and colleagues.</li>
<li>Whānau feel more involved and often pick up strategies they can use at home too—sparking great conversations and shared experiences.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/2025/07/from-stress-to-success-supporting-teacher-and-student-wellbeing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Related School News article: From stress to success: supporting student and teacher wellbeing</strong></a></p>
<p>Together, these actions create a stronger, more connected school culture where wellbeing becomes part of daily life.</p>
<h4>So how do you run a successful wellbeing challenge? Here are some tips that will help you</h4>
<h4><strong style="font-size: 16px;">1. Choose the right format for your school</strong></h4>
<ul>
<li>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.</li>
<li>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</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Keep it simple</strong></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong>3. Involve everyone</strong></p>
<p>Invite ideas and feedback from staff, students, and families. When people feel included, they’re more likely to engage.</p>
<p><strong>4. Make it visible and shared</strong></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong>5. Encourage reflection</strong></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong>6. Include prizes</strong></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft wp-image-34662 size-thumbnail" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SN70-TD-Wellbeing-Jo-Fife-HS-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p>
<p>This article was written for <em>School News</em> by Jo Fife, CEO, Speaker, Facilitator, Wellbeing Consultant at <a href="https://workplacewellbeing.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Workplace Wellbeing</a>.</p>
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