Four Year 8 students from Tomaree High School in Port Stephens have been praised for their bravery and heroism after their actions saved a 25-year-old Nepalese man from drowning during the Easter school holidays.

Sadly, the combined efforts of the 13-year-olds and others on Zenith Beach on Monday, April 14 were not able to save a second Nepalese man, 24-year-old Raj Kumar Bohora, who was brought to shore but could not be revived.

Isaac Seehusen, Lachy Parsons, Lawson Prichard-Gillies and Jaylan Nettle had just finished swimming with their rugby union teammate, Axel Kelman, when a group of Nepalese men alerted them to the two men in serious difficulty, far out in the water.

Isaac and Lachy were quick to jump in to help the men, who had lost consciousness and were drifting further out while the other three teenagers ran to raise the alarm before returning to the beach to help at the shoreline.

“I was trying to hold his head up, but he wasn’t breathing at all,” Isaac said.

“I couldn’t stand there and watch them drown.”

Isaac swam most of the way back to the shore with the man, before both of them were helped the rest of the way by an older teenager.

People on the beach started CPR and providing first aid, until paramedics arrived.

In the meantime, Lachy had reached Mr Bohora, who had been carried further from the shore, and was bringing him back to shore but they were hit by a large wave and separated.

A short time later, a man with a surfboard was able to bring in the Nepalese man, who in a tragic twist, had been celebrating his birthday

Tomaree High School’s relieving principal Glenn Sproule could not speak highly enough of the teenagers.

"The Tomaree High School community couldn’t be prouder of the brave and selfless efforts of these students,” Mr Sproule said.

“In a time of genuine crisis, they went above and beyond what could reasonably be expected of students this age.”

“Their collective actions have ultimately saved another person’s life."

Their parents and the Port Stephens community are now focusing on the ongoing wellbeing and mental health of the five courageous 13-year-olds.

Not only is the high school providing support for the four Tomaree students as needed, but the Nelson Bay Junior Rugby Union Club is paying for group trauma counselling for the five teammates at local provider, Empower Health Collective.