The art of conversation is certainly not dead at Black Mountain School.
Student representative council members at the secondary school for students with disabilities decided they wanted to spend more time with their peers by hosting a talk-and-walk-a-thon.
On Monday, students walked between different stations of the school, collecting cards to prompt conversations with their peers.
They were joined by special guests the Governor-General David Hurley and Linda Hurley.
Principal Lara Coman said while staff and students had been exceptional during the uncertain times, supporting the mental health of students was a priority at the school.
"It's certainly been a tricky year and very important for us all to come together and continue to support each other," Ms Coman said.
"We have looked as a school at a range of activities and new routines we can put in place to support everybody's well-being when perhaps we're not connected in the ways that we used to."
Peer Support Australia, a national non-profit organisation, came up with the school-based events to spark conversations between students who don't usual talk to each other while promoting physical and mental well-being.
Chief executive Greg Cantwell said 130 schools held a talk-and-walk-a-thon this year, a threefold increase on last year.
"Often it's not even necessarily the words, it's about sharing a walk around and making observations, whereas even the best of online can be a little forced and not be quite as organic as simply sitting in a group," Mr Cantwell said.
"I think we actually really missed coming together and being in our space, whether it be us as employees or our students or whoever... We're social beings in that sense."
At Black Mountain School, the route was on one level inside the campus to ensure everyone could participate regardless of their level of mobility. The emphasis was on developing students' social skills.
Governor-General Hurley, a joint patron of Peer Support Australia with Mrs Hurley, said he had enjoyed the conversations with students as they walked around the school.
"It's not only about individual connections, but it's about children being involved in discussions about the culture they want at their school, to create their environment, and having their say in what their school will be like and I think that's very important."
He said simple discussions could evolve into talking about deeper issues and respectful behaviors.
