The Stage Four students have been participating in a school leadership program, Speak, Act, Lead, for the past 12 months.

The program required students to choose an issue important to them and work in groups to develop an awareness campaign.

Groups held a public debut of their work on November 21 at Mittagong RSL Club, presenting their campaigns to more than 140 people.

Twelve campaigns, with nine short films, were launched on the night.

They focused on issues including improving school hygiene, playground litter, anti-bullying, youth depression, student voice and Aboriginal rights.

The program was also an opportunity for students to develop Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills, with students making web pages, blogs and podcasts as well as short films.

Local film maker Vincent McManus helped students with film production.

Year 8 student Maddie Lockhart said the projects were well supported by the teachers and parents and many students would continue working on promoting awareness of their chosen issue.

"We don't want the issues just to stay in this school environment," she said.

"Mr Staats is going to send them (the projects) out to the Lions Club and the primary schools. We want to branch out further and maybe get them on TV or on the radio."

Deputy principal John Staats said respect, responsibility, excellence, integrity, co-operation, participation, care, fairness and democracy were key values students focused on for their projects.

"When they come up with a project that reflects that, they not only talk the values but they live the values, they become the values and they create change," he said.

"It's about identifying what they don't like but instead of saying 'don't', replacing it with positive behaviour."

Mr Staats said the launch night was a "huge success".

"We start local and we go global. We've got no doubt that these guys will be taking their issues well beyond the school, beyond the community, nationally if we need to and internationally."