What makes Soul Learning different from other school wellbeing programmes
Schools are increasingly offering wellbeing programmes, each promising to support young people amid rising need. Many focus on raising awareness, bringing in outside experts, or responding once problems have already surfaced. While these approaches can help, they often struggle to create lasting change.
Soul Learning was designed to do something different.
Prevention, not crisis response
Soul Learning works at the top of the cliff. Instead of waiting for students to reach distress before support appears, SL focuses on early, preventative wellbeing education. By teaching skills before challenges escalate, schools can reduce harm and ease pressure on already stretched support systems.
Beyond awareness — building real skills
Awareness alone doesn’t equip students with what to do when life feels hard. Soul Learning goes further by teaching practical, usable strategies that students can apply in real moments in the classroom, at home, and as they grow into adulthood. These are not quick fixes, but lifelong skills that support wellbeing now and in the future.
A holistic approach grounded in Te Ao Māori
Soul Learning is grounded on Te Whare Tapa Whā, the Māori model of hauora that recognises wellbeing as a balance of mental, physical, social and spiritual dimensions. This holistic approach supports the whole person, not just behaviour or emotions, and creates learning that feels meaningful, connected and inclusive for all students.
Evidence-informed and inclusive
SL is informed by research showing that early intervention, relational learning and culturally grounded approaches improve engagement and outcomes. While inspired by Te Ao Māori, Soul Learning is for everyone, supporting belonging, connection and wellbeing across diverse communities.
Created by teachers, for teachers
Many programmes rely on external “experts” to deliver wellbeing content. Soul Learning doesn’t. It was created by teachers, for teachers, with real classrooms in mind.
The programme is fully facilitated by teachers using simple, ready-to-use resources, with no expectation of additional workload or specialist training. Rather than adding pressure, Soul Learning integrates seamlessly into everyday school life and strengthens whole-school culture from the inside out. In fact, teachers are saying it has helped their well-being too.
Why this matters
When wellbeing systems are overwhelmed, adding more reactive support is not enough. Teaching wellbeing early, holistically and practically is one of the most powerful ways schools can support young people, and the adults around them.
Soul Learning isn’t just about talking about wellbeing.
It’s about building it, early and for life.
