The job of school captain is undoubtedly important, but there would be few who take their role to heart like Zac Kirby.

He is a well-respected student leader at Manning Gardens Public School on Biripi land in Taree. He is accomplished at public speaking and representing the school, but where he goes above and beyond is initiating and running school-wide events to improve student wellbeing.

“I understand how bad mental health affects a person,” the proud Wiradjuri boy said.

“It is absolutely about awareness and informing young people. It also brings community awareness.”

Most recently, Zac and Piper Reid, a member of the Year 6 wellbeing team, ran the school’s inaugural Mental Health Day during October which is National Mental Health Awareness Month.

Students were encouraged to wear green – the official colour of National Mental Health Awareness Month – and the school held an awareness walk, promoting the importance of exercise for mental wellbeing.

Zac and Piper also held discussions in each class with the assistance of teachers and the school principal, Paul Sortwell.

“Mr Sortwell is extremely supportive, and he was appreciative when I gave the school my resources for this Mental Health Day,” Zac said.

“The MGPS environment is always trying to help and support student wellbeing.”

The Manning Gardens school community was impacted by the Mid North Coast floods earlier this year, with the homes of some students’ families and staff members inundated.

Following this, teachers and support staff have continued to support students, while working to foster a school-wide culture of care, compassion and resilience.

But even before the late-May floods, Zac and the other captains were already creating a tradition of student-led wellbeing events at Manning Gardens Public School.

The first was Do it for Dolly Day which encouraged conversations about how being bullied badly affects people’s mental health.

The day was a success, and as an organised young person with a knack for research, the school captain found a way to help his fellow students now and into the future.

Soon he was downloading printables for the Bullying No Way week of action and gathering information on other awareness days which he ran with the help of the Year 6 Wellbeing Team.

“I organised RUOK Day to help people feel confident about asking ‘Are you okay?’ and saying ‘No’ when they aren’t okay,” he said.

“I made resources for the school so even when I have gone to high school they can continue assisting students here.”

Manning Gardens Public School said it would be honoured to take charge of Zac’s resources and use them when needed but it is most looking forward to seeing future Year 6 students use them to run their own Wellbeing Days.