The grade one was aiming to make friendship bracelets for as she could to let others know they matter - including her school principal.

Handmade bracelets, plaited by pupils, were part of the school's Friendship Festival coinciding with Harmony Day and also drawing on National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, which was last Friday.

"We're doing activities with our buddies. It's good to have big friends in the playground, too," Emily said. "It's good to have big friends because you can see how long you are (in height) next to them when you measure them."

Team building exercises in the gym, friendship quotes on paper leaves to make a tree and making a video on what it means to each pupil to be a good friend were among Friendship Festival activities.

Canadian Lead principal Darlene Cameron said these were all important messages and lessons to share.

"As a school community, instead of anti-bullying, we thought we'd look this year at what it means to be a good friend," Ms Cameron said.

"Ballarat's been growing as a multicultural community and multiculturalism for our school's understanding is about treating each other with respect, being inclusive. 

"Everyone needs a buddy."

Canadian Lead will also host multicultural awareness sessions with all staff and middle and senior pupils this week.

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