The little wooden bench helping Holy Family Luddenham build a Mentally Fit Primary School
When a child at Holy Family Primary School Luddenham feels alone at lunch, they sit on a little wooden bench.
It’s called The Buddy Bench.
Within moments, another child usually walks over to sit beside them. To talk, colour in together or ask them to play.
The idea came from three Year 5 students during Gotcha4Life’s Mental Fitness Leaders of Tomorrow project, where students are empowered to lead initiatives that strengthen connection and mental fitness within their school community.
For 11-year old Natalia and her classmates, that initiative became The Buddy Bench.
“There’s lots of kids who mightn’t have a friend at school – new kids, or kids whose friends are away that day,” Natalia explains.
“We got a bench and made a sign that says ‘The Buddy Bench. Find a Friend. Make a Friend’.”
What started as a simple student-led idea has become a powerful symbol of what can happen when children are given the tools to build mental fitness, connection and confidence from an early age.
And at Holy Family Luddenham, that shift is being felt across the whole school community.
Just one kilometre from Western Sydney’s new international airport, the small semi-rural school of 230 students is partway through its partnership with Gotcha4Life’s Mentally Fit Schools program. In just two years, students, teachers and families are already noticing meaningful change in how they communicate, support one another and navigate life’s ups and downs together.
Because the need has never been greater.
Half of all mental health challenges begin before the age of 14*. Schools have a unique opportunity to help children build the emotional muscles, help-seeking behaviours and support networks to give kids the tools to manage the inevitable highs and lows of life.
Holy Family already had a strong commitment to student wellbeing, but staff were noticing a growing need to help children navigate emotions and social challenges.
“There’s still a lot of stigma around mental health but we’re making sure we are supporting our children, staff and parents,” says Wellbeing Lead Rose Surace.
The school partnered with Gotcha4Life to help deepen those conversations across the whole community.
Now, mental fitness is no longer just something discussed in wellbeing lessons. It’s something being practised in every day moments.
Children are learning how to recognise and express emotions. They’re identifying the people in their “village” they can turn to for support. They’re checking in on one another and learning that no one should have to worry alone.
Teachers feel more confident supporting student wellbeing while also prioritising their own. Parents are continuing conversations about mental fitness at home.
And the impact can often be seen in the smaller moments.
“A boy was asked to come down from the top field, but said ‘I can’t, someone’s crying’.” Rose recalls, “he didn’t want to leave them alone. He was able to seek help from the teacher on duty, so we could support that child.”
And when Rose ends assemblies with an uplifting ‘Let’s build mental fitness’, the children eagerly chant it back in unison, flexing their arms like tiny bodybuilders working on their emotional muscles.
“Hearing our little children say that is very positive,” Rose says. “It’s become part of who we are. All the parents at assembly hear it too, so it reinforces the message. It’s helping them to have those conversations with their children at home.”
Students are becoming more confident expressing emotions, asking for help and supporting one another through challenges.
Teachers also say the program gives them practical tools and resources to continue those conversations in busy classrooms, while helping younger students better articulate their emotions.
Right now, more schools are asking for support to help children build connection, confidence and emotional wellbeing early in life.
But not every school has access yet.
That’s why Gotcha4Life is hosting its very first Giving Day on 4 June, so we can help bring Mentally Fit Schools to more children, teachers and families to build the tools, support systems and emotional confidence needed for life.
Thanks to generous partners, all donations made on Giving Day will be doubled up to $100,000.
That means every dollar donated can have double the impact helping more children access mental fitness education through the Mentally Fit Schools program. It won’t cost you an extra cent - $50 becomes $100. $100 becomes $200.
