This whole-school, award-winning program, suitable for both primary and secondary schools, empowers students through five in-person sessions to identify issues and solutions to poor behaviour.

An entire year level learns to identify different behaviours (e.g., friendship fires, mean on purpose, bullying), the drivers and impacts of poor behaviour, and how to be safe and effective Upstanders. Students then volunteer to become SUP Student Leaders. These leaders’ identity the issues in their school they would like to address and create class plans and activities to teach Upstanding to their younger peers, teachers, and families.

Tailored to the specific needs of the school, this evidence-based program fosters leadership and peer support, creating lasting change within the school community.

The start of high school can be a challenging time for students as they navigate new friendships, changing expectations and a clearer understanding of what behaviour is accepted, rewarded or challenged within their year level.

SUP’s Transition Program works with students over one day to explore what poor behaviour can look like, why it happens, and how social status or “cred” can influence the choices students make. Students are supported to identify what earns credibility among their peers, reflect on their own personal values, and compare the two.

The program is intentionally non-judgemental. Rather than telling students what should matter to them, it creates space for them to examine the gap between the behaviours that gain social approval and the kind of person they actually want to be.

“A parent is only as happy as their most unhappiest child.”

This quote speaks to the profound impact bullying can have not only on young people, but also on parents, carers, siblings and the broader family.

The Stand-Up Project offers a range of resources to help adults support children and prevent and respond to poor behaviour.

Reach out to us to access these supports.

Australian classrooms are among the most disruptive in the OECD, with Australia ranked 69th out of 76 countries for classroom climate (OECD, 2018).

At the same time, many Australian teachers report moderate to high levels of secondary trauma, including acute stress, feelings of helplessness, disturbed sleep and intrusive thoughts (Monash, 2022).

Poor behaviour does not only affect the students directly involved. It can impact the whole classroom, place significant pressure on teachers, and make it harder to create the calm, connected learning environments young people need.

This is why The Stand-Up Project offers professional development sessions for teachers and school staff. These sessions provide practical, evidence-informed strategies to support young people impacted by poor behaviour, strengthen student voice and agency, and help staff respond in ways that are calm, consistent and restorative.

Reach out to us to learn more about our professional development options.

Bullying leaves a lasting impact - on students, parents, and teachers. At The Stand-Up Project, we believe that the best way to build safer, more inclusive school communities is through meaningful, empowering, and lasting anti-bullying training for students.

Creating safe, respectful, and inclusive school cultures is essential for students’ mental health, academic outcomes, and sense of belonging. Schools aren’t just places for learning - they are communities that shape who young people become. That’s why preventing bullying in schools isn’t optional - it’s urgent.