How The Stand-Up Project is Transforming School Culture: A Case Study from Ivanhoe East Primary School
At The Stand-Up Project, we believe that real change starts with students. When young people are given the voice, agency, and leadership opportunities to take ownership of their school culture, incredible things happen.
Our program is designed to empower students to design and deliver their own Upstander training — not just to their peers, but also to their teachers and parents. By doing so, they become champions of respect, inclusion, and courage in their school communities.
We’re proud to be listed on the Victorian Department of Education’s Mental Health Menu, and many principals may have already come across us at conferences or professional learning events.
A Principal’s Perspective: Ivanhoe East Primary School
One of the most striking examples of The Stand-Up Project’s impact comes from Ivanhoe East Primary School, where Principal Tom Boyle has observed a remarkable cultural shift since implementing the program.
“Since implementing The Stand-Up Project (SUP), we’ve seen a significant cultural shift within our school community. Students are increasingly acting as Upstanders, supporting one another, and contributing to a safer, more respectful environment. This change is evident not only in day-to-day interactions but also in our Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS) results.”
Measurable Impact: AtoSS 2025 Results
Ivanhoe East’s data tells a clear story of improvement across multiple wellbeing indicators:
Measure Improvement 2025 Result
Effective Classroom Behaviour ↑6% 86%
Resilience ↑8% 86%
Not Experiencing Bullying. ↑8% 94%
Not Experiencing Racism ↑2% 92%
Advocate at School. ↑3% 90%
Managing Bullying. ↑8% 90%
Respect for Diversity. ↑5% 83%
Sense of Connectedness. ↑6% 88%
Sense of Inclusion. ↑2% 91%
These results are not an isolated success story — they’re consistent with what we’re seeing across schools participating in The Stand-Up Project.
“Our whole-school approach to wellbeing has been significantly enhanced by SUP. It’s strengthened our culture of respect, inclusion, and student voice, and we look forward to continuing the partnership to ensure every student feels safe, connected, and empowered to thrive.”
— Tom Boyle, Principal, Ivanhoe East Primary School
Hearing from the Community
🎥 Watch the short video — In this clip, other principals, teachers, and parents share their perspectives on how The Stand-Up Project has shaped their school culture, student leadership, and community wellbeing.
Our Approach
All Stand-Up Project sessions are delivered in person at your school by experienced facilitators who work collaboratively with staff and students. Each program is tailored to your school’s context, ensuring every student can connect, contribute, and grow.
If you’d like to learn more about the program or explore how it could support your students, feel free to book a short meeting via [this link].
About The Stand-Up Project
Founded by Dr Zach Greig, The Stand-Up Project is an Australian-based initiative that helps schools foster respect, inclusion, and student leadership through Upstander training. The program empowers young people to take action against bullying, discrimination, and exclusion — building stronger, more connected school communities.
