Upstander Programs
Our age-appropriate Upstander Programs cater to different stages of learning from Year 3 through to Year 12, and are how we Create the Next Generation of Upstanders.
- Free - no cost to your school
- We come to you - no buses, no transport, no logistics
- Flexible - we work within your timetable
- Curriculum-aligned - supports the NSW Anti-Bullying Framework, Personal & Social Capability, Ethical Understanding and PDHPE, History, English, Civics & Citizenship Syllabuses
- 25+ years of delivery - across NSW, QLD and ACT
Education With Impact
Our staged-based Upstander Programs are the heart of what we do. They’re how we create real and lasting change — by introducing values of kindness and empathy and giving students the tools, knowledge and confidence to respond safely to discrimination, and make a positive difference in their everyday lives.
Our age-appropriate Upstander Programs are designed for students from Years 3–12, with content tailored to each stage of learning.
Our Primary School Programs (Stages 2–3, for Years 3–6) build kindness, empathy and inclusion, before introducing students to stereotyping, exclusion and discrimination through engaging stories, activities and practical Upstander strategies.
Our Secondary School Programs (Stages 4–6, for Years 7–12) explore these ideas in greater depth. Using the Holocaust as historical context, students encounter powerful stories of courage, resilience and Upstander behaviour — including remarkable stories shared by Holocaust Survivor Speakers and Custodian Storytellers — alongside facilitated workshops and practical tools that encourage reflection and safe, positive action in the face of exclusion, racism and antisemitism.
Across every stage, our goal is the same: to inspire Upstander behaviour and empower young Australians to respond to discrimination with courage and confidence.
Delivered free of charge by our passionate volunteers and trained facilitators, our stage-based Upstander Programs are closely aligned with NSW and Australian school curricula, ensuring both educational value and lasting impact.
Primary Schools Program
Courage to Care provides free staged-based Upstander Programs to primary schools across NSW, QLD and ACT. The programs are storytelling-based, age-appropriate, and delivered by trained volunteers at your school.
Our 60 or 90-minute Upstander Programs are targeted at different educational stages, layering concepts from inclusion and kindness (stage 2) through to deeper exploration of how prejudice escalates (stage 3). Our facilitators guide students through an introductory presentation and group activities, culminating in personal reflection and commitment.
Stage-based approach:
Stage 2 (Years 3-4): Inclusion, empathy and respectful behaviour; simple, safe Upstander actions.
Stage 3 (Years 5-6): Understanding prejudice, discrimination, stereotyping and racism; introducing Upstander strategies.
- Educating to emphasise core values - respect, inclusion, empathy and kindness
- Demonstrating that every individual can make a positive difference in society
- Transforming bystander behaviour into safe, practical Upstander action
Program Structure
STAGE 2 (YEARS 3-4)
1. Introduction
Intro to Courage to Care and fictional story demonstrating Upstander behaviour
2. Activities
Interactive activities focussing on kindness and inclusivity
3. Kindness Tree
Students add leaves to the Classroom kindness tree, demonstrating their commitment to kindness and inclusivity
Students reflect on kindness, inclusivity and ways they can be an upstander in everyday school life
STAGE 3 (YEARS 5-6)
Intro to Courage to Care and non-fictional story demonstrating Upstander behaviour
Interactive activities focussing on stereotyping, discrimination, racism & prejudice
Students add leaves to the Upstander Commitment tree, demonstrating commitment to challenging stereotypes and Upstander action
Students reflect on stereotyping, discrimination and upstander actions that promote respect and inclusion
Secondary Schools Program
Our stage-based Upstander Programs continue with our long-running work in secondary schools across NSW, QLD and ACT. The programs use the Holocaust as historical context to explore prejudice and discrimination, and are delivered by trained volunteers at your school.
Our 120-minute Upstander Programs are targeted at different educational stages, combining powerful stories of courage and resilience with facilitated workshops and practical Upstander tools. Students explore the difference between bystander and Upstander behaviour, reflect on their own responses to injustice, and develop safe, practical strategies to stand up for others at school, online and in the wider community.
Stage-based approach:
Stages 4-5 (Years 7-10): connecting history to present-day choices; living testimony included.
Stage 6 (Years 11-12): ethical decision-making; exploring the escalation of prejudice and applying Upstander tools to complex situations.
- Educating to challenge racist and discriminatory attitudes and behaviours
- Demonstrating that every individual can make a positive difference in society
- Transforming bystander behaviour into safe, practical Upstander action
Program Structure
STAGES 4-6 (YEARS 7-12)
1. WELCOME: introduction and aims of the program; creating a respectful learning space.
2. Film
A short film giving historical background to the Holocaust and the Courage to Care message.
3. Upstander Stories
Powerful stories of Upstanders — ordinary people performing extraordinary acts of courage.
4. Living Testimony
A Holocaust Survivor Speaker (or custodian storyteller/descendant) shares their story, followed by Q&A.
Facilitated small- group reflection and discussion, introducing safe Upstander tools students can use.
6. CONCLUSION: summary of practical ways to be an Upstander and how to seek support when needed.
“The program had a very strong impact on me. It inspired me and motivated me to be the positive change I want to see in the world.”
Year 12 student,
NEWCASTLE
“The program has fostered a shift in students’ behaviour, promoting greater empathy and understanding of one another. It has created a strong foundation for meaningful discussions about inclusivity.”
Teacher,
CANBERRA
“I will definitely try to support and talk to more people who look they may be having a bad day! I will do this knowing a small conversation make a big difference to someone.”
Year 10 student,
ST. IVES
“The way Courage to Care connects Holocaust tragedies to something that can be learned to empower young people to stand up for what is right today is profound and important.”
Teacher,
WESTERN SYDNEY
“Ernie’s story and positivity was really inspiring – not only was it interactive, but it also inspired my friend to tell us his family’s story. It had a profound impact on me and highlighted the importance of being an Upstander.”
Year 12 student
WOLLONGONG
“The Courage to Care team were passionate, knowledgeable and extremely easy to engage with during the administration phase. I would definitely recommend this program for your school!”
Teacher,
LUCAS HEIGHTS
Curriculum Links
Our age-appropriate Upstander Programs support anti-racism education and whole-school wellbeing, inclusion and respectful dialogue across primary and secondary schools. They are relevant to pastoral care, well-being and social justice initiatives, as well as classroom learning.
Our programs are strongly aligned with the NSW Anti-Bullying Framework and connect with a range of curriculum learning areas and General Capabilities.
LEARNING AREAS:
- English
- History / HSIE
- PDHPE
- Civics and Citizenship
CAPABILITIES:
- Personal and Social Capability
- Ethical Understanding
- Intercultural Understanding
- Critical and Creative Thinking
“The Courage to Care incursion is a fantastic opportunity for students to combine their knowledge of The Holocaust depth study and The Changing Rights and Freedoms stage 5 core topic for History. The activities using primary sources, resistance stories and small-group work on what it means to be an Upstander are invaluable to support students’ conceptual understanding and understand their place as a global citizen.
The Holocaust survivor stories captivated our students and encouraged them to look for ways they can be an Upstander in their spheres of influence. The educators were passionate, knowledgeable and the organisation was extremely easy to engage with during the administration phase. I would definitely recommend this program for your school!”
Head Teacher, HSIE,
Comprehensive High School,
Southern Sydney
“A big thanks to the wonderful team at Courage to Care who have successfully implemented their program for two years at our school. The group is very collaborative, and their expert knowledge and skills cater to a range of year levels and needs. Their program promotes lifelong learning and will have students commenting about the experience well after the team have left the school. Looking forward to working together again in the future!”
HSIE Teacher,
Lucas Heights
86% of schools that book a Courage to Care program ask us to return again.
Booking A Program
Ready to bring an Upstander Program to your school, community or organisation?
Use the contact form below and select 'Book An Upstander Program' to send us a message. A member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss arrangements.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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