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Empowering our future generations to become Upstanders

Up and coming generations shape our society. One day their values will influence the world we live in.
That’s why it’s so important to lay the right foundations for a more inclusive, diverse future.

Every day we’re surrounded by people of diverse faiths, cultures and beliefs. Sadly, we still see instances of discrimination, racism and hate speech throughout our communities. Living in a cohesive and peaceful society requires understanding, acceptance and inclusion.

Our kids shouldn’t have to navigate this on their own. That’s where our Upstander Programs come in.

Led by trained, passionate and experienced facilitators, students in Years 5-7 are guided through an age-appropriate exploration of their own attitudes and actions. We provide them with tools to develop more empathetic responses, and the language to advocate Upstander behaviour.

Our Upstander Programs are FREE to Victorian schools. Our Middle Years Program is the natural precursor to our Secondary Years Program and lays the foundation for the deeper analysis offered in SYP.

The Middle Years Program is delivered in one 90-minute workshop to students in their own classroom.

Upstander Programs align with the principles of the Victorian and Australian curricula Learning Areas and Capabilities:

  • Ethical Capability
  • Intercultural Capability (Cultural Practices and Cultural Diversity)
  • Personal and Social Capabilities
  • Respectful Relationships
  • Critical and Creative Thinking Capabilities

Students will discover, explore and discuss

Activities & group work

Students will engage in hands-on activities and collaborate with others.

Activities help demonstrate to students how every individual can make a difference.

A survivor’s testimony

A guest speaker will detail their own experience of being rescued by people with the moral strength and courage to stand up in the most challenging of circumstances.

These personal stories highlight the importance of having the courage to care.

An internal exploration

We explore students’ own attitudes and behaviours, and discover ways they can have more thoughtful and empathic responses.

Real-life tools

Students take away practical tools and tips on how to become an Upstander within their own social groups.

Some results of our Upstander Programs

41 %

increase in positive discussion among students

86 %

increase in students demonstrating Upstander behaviour

36 %

positive change in behaviour towards peers

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