Implementation

How do I run a whole-school gratitude program?

A whole-school gratitude program works when it has a clear routine, every class takes part, staff model it, and families are included. Start simple and build it into the weekly rhythm.

Steps to get started

  1. Commit as a leadership team. Name a wellbeing lead and set a regular time for wellbeing.
  2. Set a routine. For example, a short gratitude activity every morning and a longer lesson each week.
  3. Give staff ready-to-teach material, so no one has to plan from scratch.
  4. Make it visible. Posters, gratitude walls and assemblies.
  5. Let students lead. Student wellbeing leaders can run activities and events.
  6. Bring families in. Share the habits so they continue at home.
  7. Join something bigger. The World's Biggest Gratitude Lesson connects your school with schools around the world.

How GWG supports it

GWG offers whole school presentations and workshops to launch the program, and GWG HQ gives every teacher lessons, planners, team sharing, a Parent Portal and OSHC resources.

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.

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