Whole School Upstander Program: Student Voice, Agency, and Leadership.

The Stand-Up Project (SUP) is designed for both primary and secondary school students.

SUP is a whole-school program aimed at reducing discrimination, harassment, and bullying through promoting student voice, agency, and leadership.

Typically, a senior year level is educated on the causes and impacts of poor behaviour and how to be an Upstander using the Four D approach (Direct, Delay, Delegate, and Distract). Students then volunteer to become SUP Student Leaders. These leaders collaborate to identify key issues within their school and develop class plans and activities to promote Upstander behaviours.

SUP student leaders work closely with SUP facilitators to co-present Upstander sessions for teachers and families.

They also lead classes for younger students, ensuring that the program is driven by students and tailored to their school community’s needs.

In addition to the five in-person sessions, SUP offers a variety of resources and ongoing support for students, teachers, and parents, ensuring the entire school community remains engaged and committed to improving behaviours.

Building Confidence, Empathy, and Social Responsibility through Student Leadership

At The Stand-Up Project (SUP), everything we do is grounded in one core belief: that students are not just part of the school community—they’re key to shaping it. SUP empowers young people to become active, empathetic, and confident leaders who can influence their peers and create real cultural change.

Our student leadership training isn’t your standard anti-bullying education. We don’t just tell students what not to do—we invite them to step up and lead. Through guided collaboration, honest conversations, and hands-on planning, SUP builds a positive and proactive culture that equips students with lifelong leadership skills.

What makes our Upstander training different is that it gives students real ownership over their school’s social climate. They don’t just talk about bullying—they develop strategies, lead sessions, and model what safe and inclusive behaviour looks like. It’s about courage, critical thinking, and compassionate action - and the results speak for themselves.

What Makes SUP Student Leadership Training Unique?

The Stand-Up Project is driven by students in a way few other programs can claim. This isn’t about students passively sitting through sessions—it’s about putting them in the driver’s seat. SUP challenges students to look closely at what’s happening in their own school, identify the issues that matter most, and design action plans that are meaningful, relevant, and led by them.

What makes our student leadership training special?

Student-Led Initiatives
SUP Student Leaders run their own awareness campaigns, lead inclusive classroom activities, and facilitate conversations with younger peers. They’re not just participating—they’re leading.

Peer Influence that Matters
We know students look up to their older peers. That’s why we put student leaders at the forefront. When they model respectful, kind behaviour, it creates a ripple effect across the school.

Team-Based, Collaborative Leadership
Students work together in teams to plan and deliver their initiatives. Along the way, they develop critical skills—communication, problem-solving, delegation, and collaboration—that stay with them far beyond the program.

Practical, Hands-On Experience
This isn’t theory—it’s action. SUP leaders don’t just plan; they implement real initiatives that have real impact on their school culture.

 Broader Impact on School Communities

At The Stand-Up Project, the impact doesn’t stop with student leaders. We know real change happens when the whole school community is involved—teachers, staff, and families all have a role to play. When students lead the way and the adults around them step up in support, school-wide transformation becomes not just possible, but powerful.

Here’s how we build that community-wide connection:

Staff Development
SUP provides practical resources and sessions that help teachers weave Upstander values into everyday learning and classroom culture.

Family Engagement
Through co-presented sessions and open conversations, families are invited in—not just to listen, but to be part of the change their kids are driving. It helps extend positive behaviours from the classroom into the home.

Sustained Change
Change takes time, so we stick around. Our follow-up resources, surveys, and school check-ins keep momentum going, helping schools build on success and tackle challenges as they emerge. 

Long-Term Student Benefits

Students who participate in SUP student leadership training learn beyond school-focused skills. They develop life skills that bring them to adulthood and working careers:

Increased Communication: Leaders learn to speak with purpose and clarity to peers, staff, and families.

Empowered Decision-Making: The training supports independent judgement and critical thinking.

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: By stepping into others' shoes and taking constructive action, students become more emotionally intelligent and socially responsible.

Resilience and Confidence: Students leave the program feeling empowered to stand up for themselves and others in any situation.

The Stand-Up Project transforms students into confident, compassionate leaders who are ready to lead real change. With a foundation in upstander training for students and a strong focus on student leadership training, SUP is building the next generation of inclusive, empathetic changemakers—one school at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • SUP is designed for both primary and secondary students. Content and delivery are tailored to be age-appropriate, ensuring students across year levels engage meaningfully with the material.

  • Absolutely not. SUP is open to any student who is willing to participate and make an impact. The student leadership training is structured to develop leadership skills so students grow throughout the experience.

  • SUP consists of five core in-person sessions, with added workshops, planning meetings, and support materials. The overall duration will vary based on school calendars and student projects.

  • Schools are provided with facilitator support, training packages, follow-up material, and regular support for successful implementation and continuation of the program.

  • The Four D strategies—Direct, Delay, Delegate, and Distract—are versatile tools students can use based on context. Whether it is intervening directly, distracting from a harmful act, or seeking adult help, students learn how to act without putting themselves at risk.

  • Students report increased confidence, improved communication, a greater sense of community, and greater empathy for others. These skills can be used in their academic and personal development.

    Principals and teachers report reduced cases of poor behaviour and improved communication.

Reach Out

Contact Us

Hours
Monday–Friday
9am–6pm

Email
info@thestandupproject.com

Location
1-3 Lakewood Boulevard
Braeside VIC 3195