Schools play a key role in promoting mental health in all children and young people. It is important to create positive environments that build resilience, encourage inclusivity and belonging and help everyone participate at every level. Education protects and supports a person’s mental health across a lifetime.

Schools should be a safe place for everyone including students, teachers and other staff, families and members of the local community. The involvement and commitment of the whole school community is required to achieve a culture in which safe and respectful schools are everyone’s concern and responsibility.

A great education starts with children and young people having the energy and focus to learn at school. Offering delicious and nutritious food and drink options gives children and young people the fuel they need to power through their day.

Vaping is introducing a whole new generation of young people to nicotine. Vaping (and smoking) harm our health in many ways, including through direct use, second and third hand exposure and they also negatively impact our environment. Harms associated with vaping, alcohol and other drugs include poisoning, injuries and burns, addiction, accidents and violence and the risks are significantly higher for young people. Nicotine, alcohol and drugs can also interfere with adolescent brain development.

Active kids are happy, healthy and resilient kids. Active kids are also active learners. Children and young people spend about half of their waking hours at school. It is critical that schools support and encourage children and young people to move more and sit less throughout the day – before, during and after school.

The goal of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is to build on knowledge, skills and behaviours, enabling children and young people to make responsible and safe choices. Developing protective factors such as resilience and social and emotional competencies will enhance the potential for critical thinking in children and young people.

The sun’s UV radiation can cause sunburn, skin and eye damage and skin cancer. UV damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer later in life. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia. It is also one of the most preventable.

A healthy environment is vital for human health and development. We know that our health depends on clean air and water, fresh food and exercise, but it is less well known that we need a stable, predictable climate for our health too.