Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and ready to learn when they get to school. But for some children, big feelings, difficult experiences, and social challenges can make the classroom feel overwhelming. That’s where Cool4School comes in.
Cool4School is an early intervention program helping children build emotional regulation, resilience, and stronger connections with their school community. It’s a calm, welcoming space within the school where students can talk, play, draw, and learn ways to manage stress, with the support of trusted adults who know them well.
Established in 2017, Cool4School is delivered by 54 reasons across six Tasmanian primary schools, and is having an incredible impact on children.
“I used to have no one to go to,” says one participant. “But now I have somewhere to go to get help.”
Building emotional strength and school connection
Each week, children spend time in a dedicated Cool4School space with a Child Development Specialist.
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“I can be myself. It is safe, and it is quiet. I love it here,” says a participant. “On Sunday night I get excited to come to school. Mondays are now my favourite day of the week because of Cool4School.”
Through this supportive space, children develop tools to manage strong emotions, express themselves safely, and reconnect with learning. Teachers and caregivers report significant improvements in children’s confidence, classroom engagement and wellbeing.
“Cool4School is such a great program,” says the carer of one participant. “My grandson talks about it all the time, and now his sibling would like to do it as they talk about it at home.”
“It is really nice to have a consistent program in the school,” says one teacher. “This program has been positive for developing relationships with students, and for our vulnerable students this is important.”
Creating momentum across the school community
The benefits extend beyond individual children, with teachers describing how the introduction of Cool4School has created stronger relationships and a calmer culture:
“The 54 reasons program has become an integral part of the support network within our school,” says another teacher. “The program continues to exert an extraordinarily positive impact on our school.”
An independent evaluation found that 86% of children improved their school attendance after joining Cool4School. One teacher reported that “parents are more likely to let their kid go to school because they know that the Cool4School program will be available if the child needs it.”
100% of the students who participated in the evaluation demonstrated improved wellness, stronger connection to school, and better emotional understanding and self-regulation, with teachers saying, “Children that were being destructive can now self-regulate” and that “confidence has gone straight up”. The evaluation concluded that there was unanimous agreement that the program should be introduced into other schools.
“All schools should look at adopting a program like this,” says one of the teachers.
A safe place that changes how children see school
For many participants, the program helps children see school as a place of belonging rather than alienation: “Cool4School makes me feel safe and calm,” says one child.
"I'm glad this school has someone I can talk to,” says another child. “None of the other schools I've been to have had someone to talk to.”
When children have a safe space to talk, learn and self-regulate, they’re better able to participate in class and build healthy relationships with their peers.
“One of the best things about the Cool4School program is the social support and development it provides to children,” says a teacher. “It’s a break from the sometimes stressful place of a classroom.”
Cool4School continues to grow as a model for trauma-informed, relational support in education. By helping children feel calm, capable and connected, it builds the emotional foundations every child needs to thrive.
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