In a world where children face increasing social and emotional pressures, Nova Pioneer Primary School is taking steps to prioritise mental health education through the High Five Show, a colourful and interactive programme teaching learners to be kind, brave, safe, resilient, and true to themselves.

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The show’s presenter, Liane Nieuwenhuys, said the goal is to make mental health lessons simple and engaging for children. “It’s a mental health show where we teach kids from the ages of seven to ten to be kind, be safe, be bouncy, be brave, and be themselves. To be bouncy means to be resilient to bounce back from challenges.”

Teacher Kaylean De Kock said the experience had a clear impact on her Grade 1 learners. “It’s a very interactive show that reminds students to be kind, to be safe, to be brave, and to embrace their uniqueness. It has a positive effect on how they treat each other and how they see themselves.”

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For many children, the message resonated deeply. Nine-year-old Wadiwa Mbendana said: “We learned about being kind, being brave, being safe, being bouncy, and being you.”

Fellow Grade 3 learner, Katlego Sebatana, added: “The High Five community circle taught us to be kind, to be safe, to be bouncy, and to be you.”

Nieuwenhuys said seeing the children’s enthusiasm is what makes the show rewarding. “The kids were so interactive and excited to share their ideas. It’s wonderful to see them engage so openly with topics about emotions and kindness.”

By combining music, storytelling, and participation, the High Five show is helping children understand emotional well-being in a way that feels fun and natural, planting early seeds for empathy, self-confidence, and mental health awareness.

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