Our Stories: Canberra Grammar School

Developing a wellbeing approach from the ground up

In 2024, Canberra Grammar School established its first dedicated wellbeing team and needed to find an effective way to collect meaningful data that could guide their efforts. When they came across My Mind Check at a conference, it sparked a light-bulb moment — the platform offered exactly what they had been looking for to support their students.

Once registered, the school adopted a thoughtful, stepped approach to introducing My Mind Check. They began with a small trial with students in Years 3 and 5 to allow time for staff to learn and become familiar with how the process worked. They have since expanded check-ins to include Years 2 to 10. Throughout implementation, they had several conversations with the My Mind Check School Support Team about best practice and found the guidance incredibly helpful.

Staying in touch with families is already an established part of the school’s routine. Teachers were encouraged to flag check-in outcomes with caregivers as needed, embedding the topic as another possible aspect of their conversations and a natural extension of their regular processes. Early career teachers noted how useful the provided scripts were in helping them approach and navigate conversations about wellbeing outcomes with confidence.

Initial hesitation grew into strong enthusiasm

Students at Canberra Grammar School spoke positively about their experience, with many sharing they enjoyed taking part in check-ins. For staff, what began with some hesitation soon grew into genuine enthusiasm and strong support for My Mind Check. The initial feeling among teachers was that it might be “just one more thing” in an already busy schedule — a valid concern given the many priorities they balance each day. However, after completing a round of check-ins, teachers were impressed with the platform, noting its ease of use and value of the information it provided. Confidence grew quickly, and staff are now interested in running check-ins more frequently.

Recognising that it’s common for schools to feel unsure early on, the school representative shared, “We understand that other schools may have similar initial doubts. Our advice? Take the leap, just get started and learn along the way.”

Shaping individual support and whole-school planning

Since introducing My Mind Check, the school has gained new perspectives on student wellbeing, helping to shape both individual support and whole-school planning. At an individual level, it has prompted meaningful conversations with students and helped identify those who hadn’t previously presented with concerns or weren’t already known to be experiencing difficulties. At a whole-school level, recognising wellbeing patterns across the term has offered the wellbeing team clearer direction and stronger evidence to guide planning and responses to student needs.

The support from My Mind Check has been a standout benefit

The school described their experience with the My Mind Check School Support Team as “unreal,” commending the team’s timely responses, clarity, and helpfulness. They shared that this level of support has been one of the standout benefits – such a strong advantage that it alone would make the platform worth choosing over others: “One of the greatest advantages of My Mind Check is the dedicated School Support Team. If you’re seeking a wellbeing solution, this alone makes it worth choosing.”

Reflecting on their experience so far, the school representative recognised that My Mind Check is committed to making the platform helpful and responsive to the needs and priorities of Australian schools. In their words, “You can genuinely see that My Mind Check is evolving – and doing so based on the feedback they receive from schools.”

Reach out to our School Support Team to discuss how My Mind Check can support your school’s unique wellbeing goals.