Why Health and Wellbeing Still Matter in Curriculum Reform

By Mark Weatherall, Chief Executive, Life Education Trust

As schools prepare for a new year and the next phase of curriculum change, I am acutely aware of the pressure teachers are under. Today’s teachers are far more than educators of our tamariki and rangatahi. They are listeners, mentors, and confidantes, often helping young people navigate complex social, emotional, and economic challenges that extend well beyond the classroom.

Supporting teachers in this vital role is what Life Education Trust has done for more than 35 years, with a strong and enduring focus on health and wellbeing. Our work has always been grounded in a simple truth: students learn best when they are well.

The Ministry of Education has recently released draft curriculum proposals for all primary learning areas, with the exception of maths and literacy, which already have new curriculums in place. These proposals are expected to be confirmed in mid-2026 and rolled out in 2027. Change of this scale is significant, and while it brings opportunity, it also carries risk.

As we reshape what learning looks like, we must ensure that children remain at the heart and their health and identity are not sidelined. Academic achievement and wellbeing are not competing priorities; they are deeply connected. If we lose sight of wellbeing within the new curriculum, we undermine the very outcomes we are trying to improve.

We understand that school timetables are already full and that teachers are balancing increasing demands. That is why Life Education programmes are designed to support, not add to, teachers’ workload. Our sessions focus on resilience, emotional literacy, healthy relationships, and positive decision-making, providing practical support that underpins learning across all areas. Healthy Harold sessions are not a distraction from literacy and maths priorities; they complement them by helping students develop the emotional and social foundations they need to succeed.

As curriculum reform continues, the conversation must remain focused on the whole child. Wellbeing is not an optional extra, it is fundamental. Resources like Life Education Trust exist to walk alongside schools and teachers through change, ensuring that as our education system evolves, the health and wellbeing of our young people remains at the centre.