Evidence

What is positive education in primary schools?

Positive education combines traditional learning with the skills of wellbeing: teaching students how to build positive emotions, relationships, resilience and meaning. Rather than waiting for problems, it gives every student the habits that protect their mental health.

What it looks like in a primary classroom

  • Daily habits such as gratitude, kindness and positive reflection
  • Lessons on emotions, empathy and relationships
  • Student-led wellbeing, where children help shape the culture
  • Whole-school routines that include staff and families

Growing With Gratitude and positive education

GWG was founded by former primary school teacher Ash Manuel, author of Growing With Gratitude (Wiley) and host of The Positive Education Podcast. GWG is a universal prevention program based on positive psychology, built on five habits of happiness: gratitude, kindness, empathy, service and positive reflection.

Why schools trust GWG

  • Listed on the Victorian Government Schools Mental Health Menu
  • Listed on the South Australian Department for Education External Wellbeing Programs Directory
  • Included in ACER's national Wellbeing Program Guide
  • Evaluated in a cluster randomised controlled trial in Australian primary schools
  • Australian Government funded: Naturally Brave (2024 to 2026), a disaster resilience program for primary schools in South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, delivered with Bushfire Kids Connect and Makers Empire through the National Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Ready Fund, with support from SAFECOM, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and the NSW Reconstruction Authority
  • South Australian Government funded: funding to the Adelaide Crows to expand Growing With Gratitude into more South Australian schools, with a focus on regional communities
  • More than 1 million students across 1,205 schools in 80+ countries have been part of a GWG presentation, workshop, online program or event

Try it first

Teachers can create a free GWG HQ account and try lessons in their classroom before the school makes any decision. School options are quoted to suit what you already have in place, with discounts available for smaller schools.

Start freeTalk to us about your school