The occasion was marked on Friday with 305 Lakelands Public School students launching paper planes with positive messages  on them.

Principal Grant Schaefer said the idea was for the children to share encouraging messages about themselves, as an exercise to develop respectful relationships and a sense of belonging and inclusion at the school.

He explained it takes a big commitment from education providers to be part of the national initiative as teachers are trained in multiple components over a three to four-year period.

‘‘It’s not going to be an instant fix, but it’s hopefully going to bring the school together,’’ said Mr Shaefer. ‘‘[We will be] developing a positive school community, building a positive place for kids to come to school, a place where staff feel happy to express themselves and also parents to contribute to the life of the school.’’

He said anxiety was the main mental health issue among  students, with causes ranging from  kindergarten orientation to bigger issues like a disruptive home life.

‘‘It might be outbursts of anger or just isolation, they take themselves away from everyone,’’ he said. 

The program is designed to help teachers better recognise  problems, and to open up communication between teachers, students and parents  to have the confidence to talk through issues and ‘‘do the best by the kids’’.