At Toowong State School, student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to partner with The Resilience Project to support the mental health and emotional development of our students, staff and wider community.
In today's world, the need for proactive wellbeing education has never been greater. Research shows that 1 in 4 primary-aged students experience high levels of anxiety or stress, while 3 in 4 teachers report experiencing burnout. These realities, highlight the importance of a whole-school, preventative approach to mental health and wellbeing.
The Resilience Project delivers an evidence-based program grounded in the principles of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness, alongside a strong focus on Emotional Literacy (GEM-EL). These strategies support students to build positive relationships, regulate emotions and navigate life's challenges with confidence. Students participate in weekly lessons where they engage deeply with these principles, developing practical skills and strategies they can apply across all areas of their lives - both within the classroom and beyond the school gates.
Importantly, this work is supported by rigorous Australian research. A large-scale study from Monash University found that, after six years of implementation, students experienced a 47% reduction in depressive symptoms and a 34% reduction in anxiety symptoms. In addition, independent evaluation by the University of Melbourne found that students participating in the program demonstrated improved confidence, self-esteem, emotional expression and daily gratitude practices, reinforcing the impact of a sustained, whole-school approach to wellbeing.
We are also delighted to introduce our Toowong State School Resilience Project Ambassadors - Waveney Yasso and Darius Boyd.
Waveney Yasso is a Brisbane-based musician and artist who uses music to tell powerful stories. A proud South Sea Islander and Yuwi Burra descendant, Waveney respectfully celebrates culture and Country through her work. She has performed on stages across Australia and internationally, including at TEDx Brisbane and Australia's Biggest Singalong on national television.
Waveney has also completed her Certificate IV in Auslan, strengthening her ability to connect with our school community in a meaningful and inclusive way. Her involvement creates a powerful experience for our students, truly capturing the spirit of empathy, connection and belonging.
Our second ambassador, Darius Boyd, is a well-known former professional rugby league player from Queensland. Darius captained the Brisbane Broncos and also played for the Dragons and the Knights during his NRL career. Known for his speed, strength and leadership, he achieved success at the highest level, including winning two NRL Grand Finals.
Together, our ambassadors play an important role in inspiring our students, modelling resilience, and strengthening our school's culture of connection, inclusion and wellbeing.
Through our partnership with The Resilience Project, we are committed to equipping our students not only for academic success, but for life- empowering them with the skills, mindset and resilience to thrive and make a positive impact on the world around them.