Get your school involved in Laps for Life

Published 27 November 2024

In Australia, more than one in three young people are living with mental health difficulties. And sadly, suicide remains the leading cause of death for 16–24 year-olds. 

Getting involved in Laps for Life is a chance for your school community to raise funds for ReachOut and make a meaningful difference, ensuring young people get the mental health support they urgently need.

Find out more about and how to get your school involved in the challenge.

A young man and woman sit on the edge of an indoor pool clapping hands with each other.

What is Laps for Life all about? 

Laps for Life is a fundraising challenge that encourages everyone to dive into the pool and swim to save lives. You can do it solo, or sign up with a team – whatever works for you. 

Why swimming? Swimming is a great way to get your body moving and your heart pumping. It’s also amazing for the mind – helping to boost your mood, chill you out and promote better sleep. Plus, it’s a smart way to get active without breaking the bank. 

The challenge runs from 1 to 31 March. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the water or a competitive swimmer; and you can swim anywhere you like, as far as you like, whenever you like, and in whatever style you want (doggy-paddle included!).

Importantly, every dollar you raise helps ReachOut to continue to support young people each and every day. 

How can your school community get involved? 

For schools, Laps for Life offers a fun and meaningful opportunity to bring students, staff and families together. Not only is it a great way to strengthen your students’ swimming skills and raise funds for a good cause – it’s also an opportunity to raise awareness of the mental health and wellbeing benefits of swimming and physical activity. 

Looking for ideas to make the most of the challenge? Here are a few ways to get started:

  • Sign up your school swim team. Or, sign up multiple swim teams for a bit of friendly competition. It’s also great training for upcoming swimming carnivals, and any laps you already swim can count towards your swimming goal, too.

  • School house challenges. Make the competition a little more interesting by getting your school houses to track their laps and compete with each other.

  • Lunchtime laps. Create a casual ‘lunchtime laps’ event and encourage students and teachers to hit the pool during their lunch break. 

  • School excursions. Head down to your closest community or ocean pool for a fun excursion.

  • Teachers versus students. For the ultimate rivalry, create a ‘teachers versus students’ challenge.

  • Gold coin donation. Collect gold coins at swimming carnivals, aqua-themed mufti days, or bake sales – with the proceeds going towards your Laps for Life team.

Keen to get the word out? You can promote Laps for Life in your school newsletter, or on your website, intranet and social media. You can also put up posters around the school, with a QR code to join the school’s team or donate to their team page. 

Visit the resources page on our website; we have a range of social media assets, printable posters, team resources and more. And if you’re looking for more ideas, want to set up multiple teams within your school, or would like some support in getting your school set up, just get in touch with us.

Support that starts in the classroom

ReachOut Schools has a range of free lesson plans and resources you can use to bring physical and mental health awareness and knowledge into the classroom throughout March. Here are some resources to get you started:

  • Physical and mental fitness: In this lesson, students explore how physical and mental fitness can impact their overall wellbeing.

  • Mental health classroom activities: From lessons on anxiety and depression, to dealing with mixed emotions, increase your students’ knowledge of important mental health issues and boost their awareness of the support services and help-seeking strategies they can use.

  • Student wellbeing resources: Use these resources as a guide to support both students who are struggling with their mental health and those who are happy and well. 

  • Mental health information: Boost your own knowledge of mental health issues and feel more confident about striking up important conversations with your students.

  • Teacher wellbeing resources: Prioritise your own mental health and wellbeing, so that you can always show up for your students and your school community.

Share these resources with your students

From personal stories to factsheets, we have a range of engaging resources you can share with your students during Laps for Life (and beyond), to inform them about mental health issues and the benefits of exercise, sport and taking care of yourself. Start here:

Share these resources with parents and carers

You can also support your parent and carer community by sharing relevant ReachOut resources through your school’s newsletter or social media channels, or in parent–teacher interviews. Here are some additional resources:

What can I do now?

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        Aboriginal flagTorres Strait islander flagRainbow flagAustralian flag

        We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

        We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

        ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

              Aboriginal flagTorres Strait islander flagRainbow flagAustralian flag

              We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

              We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

              ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

              © ReachOut Australia 2024