Overview
Alignment with Be You Domains
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Mentally Healthy Communities
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Early Support
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Responding Together
Alignment with Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
- Children are confident and involved learners
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Children are effective communicators
- Children have a strong sense of identity
- Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
Alignment with Australian Curriculum
- English
- Health and PE
Target audience
- Early learning
- Primary school
- Secondary school
Target groups
- Whole school
Aims
The b kinder school program aims to prevent the occurrence of poor mental health, bullying, and suicide in young Australians.
We aim to achieve this by:
- Delivering evidence-based student leadership programs in participating schools
- Increasing mental health literacy through expert facilitated workshops
- Connecting students with their wider community to become agents of change
- Creating safe spaces for all students to support each other
- Reducing barriers for accessing support
- Improving help-seeking behaviours
- Celebrating acts of kindness
- Developing leadership skills to role model positive and inclusive behaviours.
Program theory
Children face increasing rates of anxiety, bullying, depression and feelings of helplessness. Suicide is a leading cause of death for children and young people in Australia. Young people in rural and remote areas may experience additional risk factors for their mental health, including a lack of access to services and supports. Research suggests current measures are not fully meeting the diverse needs of students, and there is an absence of positive messages. The b kinder school program aims to bridge this gap through preventative and early interventions that promote wellbeing.Topics
The b kinder school program covers the topics of kindness, empathy, compassion, leadership, and role modelling through workshops and an end-of-year summit.
Workshop topics include:
- The Neuroscience of Kindness
- Leading with Compassion
- Celebrating Difference & Modelling Kindness
- Actioning Kindness
Cost
The b kinder school program is a subscription-based service that costs each school or early learning service $595 a year (rising to $795 in 2027). Schools may be able to have their subscription covered by donations to the b kinder foundation.
Each year, this subscription provides schools with the following:
- access to 2 expert-facilitated workshops
- access to the end-of-year summit
- our 'hope' book, written and illustrated by Billie Kinder
- 40 b kinder cards and posters
- 48 'I am kind' stickers
- ambassador badges
- annual rental of b kinder sign for school gates
- access to teacher portal and additional resources.
Additional resources can be purchased.
Program structure
The b kinder school program is a year-long, school-based program delivered across all 4 terms. Once a school becomes a b kinder school, staff gain access to an online teacher portal and receive all the information to book their b kinder workshops and b kinder summit. The program does not require formal teacher training; instead, ongoing teacher support is provided throughout the year, with an optional initial information session offered prior to commencement of the program.
In Term 1, selected students become b kinder ambassadors, taking on leadership roles to implement five kindness initiatives throughout the year. Ambassadors meet regularly, with teacher guidance, to plan and deliver these initiatives. The program includes two online b kinder workshops that are booked by teachers and delivered across Terms 1–3. These workshops are completed alongside key program events such as b kinder day (22 June).
Program delivery is primarily face-to-face within the school setting and supported by online resources. The program runs continuously throughout the year, with activities embedded into regular school schedules. It concludes with an end-of-year b kinder summit attended by the student leadership teams, marking the completion of the annual school program.
Instructor
Not provided
Instructor training
The b kinder school program is led by student-leadership teams. The role of school staff is only to support the evolution of the program in their school and ensure the 5 kindness initiatives are implemented. After our optional information session, school staff can feel equipped to roll out the school program in less than one hour. There is also a professional development video available within the teacher portal.Supporting resources or materials available with program
- Manual
- Online webinars
Ongoing support
We offer ongoing support via email or phone throughout the program for school staff to ask questions. We are available for face-to-face meetings in some areas. Online information sessions can also be arranged.Parent involvement
- Online resources
Origin of program
Australia
b kinder foundation
Program authors
Billie Kinder, Danny Mayson-Kinder, Dr Cathie Harrison
Ratings
Summary of evidence factors
This is a summary of the evaluation or research study characteristics that contribute to the program’s evidence rating.
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Positive impact on at least one outcome for children and/or young people?
The study reported positive outcomes. |
Yes |
|---|---|
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Link between program description and theory of change
Theory of change refers to whether there was a comprehensive description and illustration of how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context. |
Some links |
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Study design
Type of study design reported. |
Pre-post cohort |
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Independence
The degree to which the program authors were involved in the research. |
Completely |
Summary of implementation factors
This is a summary of the program’s characteristics that contribute to its implementation rating.
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Feedback sought from participants
Participants enjoyed the program and understood its benefits. |
Yes |
|---|---|
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Feedback sought from instructors
Instructors enjoyed the program and understood its benefits. |
Yes |
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Groups program is not suitable for
Groups the program wouldn't be suitable for or that required further research to determine suitability. |
Not assessed |
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Training provided during study
The model of training provided. |
Face to face train-the-trainer online |
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Ongoing instructor support provided during study
Whether ongoing support is provided. |
Yes |
Context
This is a summary of the context in which the evidence for the program was established.
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Study Participants
Pre school, primary school (Foundation to Year 6), secondary school (Years 7 to 12). |
Primary school |
|---|---|
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Country of Study/s
The location in which the evidence or research was conducted. |
Australia |
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Location of Study/s in Australia
The state (or states) the program was assessed in Australia. |
TAS |
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Evaluation of program in culturally and linguistically diverse populations
Provider has included culturally and linguistically diverse people when assessing the program. |
No |
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Evaluation of program in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
Provider has included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when assessing the program. |
Yes |
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Evaluation of program in low socioeconomic groups
Program has evaluated a diverse socio-economic population in their research. |
Yes |
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Developmental based adaptations to program design and delivery
Shorter sessions for younger students or activities are adjusted for age appropriateness. |
No |
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Evaluation of program in children and young people with disability and/or learning difference
Provider has included participants with a disability or learning difference when assessing the program. |
No |
Last updated: 25 June 2026