The Stand-Up Project (SUP)

Program description

The Stand-Up Project (SUP) is a whole-school program designed to reduce discrimination, harassment, and bullying through student voice, agency, and leadership.

Typically, one 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 student leaders collaborate to identify the issues they want to address within their school and develop class plans and activities to promote the message of Upstanding.

SUP student leaders collaborate with SUP facilitators to co-present Upstander sessions for teachers and parents/carers. They also deliver their own classes to younger students, ensuring that the program to improve behaviours is driven and owned by the students themselves.

In addition to the 5 in-person sessions, SUP provides a suite of resources and ongoing support for students, teachers and parents to ensure full engagement of the entire school community.

Intended outcomes

• Increased knowledge of the causes and effects of discrimination, harassment and bullying
• Students learn social problem-solving skills and how to be an upstander
• Increased feelings of self-efficacy
• Increased feelings of belonging, safety and support
• Improved school culture
• Less bullying, discrimination and harassment
• Improved emotional and psychological wellbeing

Program details

Implementation considerations

• Target population: Primary and secondary school students, as well as their teachers.
• Program adaptability: SUP is a tailored program that addresses bullying in the context of students' own lived experiences. SUP works closely with schools, and students, to ensure that the program content aligns with their specific goals, aspirations, objectives and requirements. The program is adaptable for diverse cohorts including culturally and linguistically diverse students.
• Staffing: To avoid the need for backfill, schools typically opt for the teacher sessions to be facilitated by an SUP member and a student leader during an existing and already scheduled staff meeting.
• Training requirements: Prior to the implementation of the program, schools coordinate a logistics meeting with the SUP Facilitator (either online or in-person) to discuss the student selection process, priorities, strategies, risk management and review program content.
• Factors to consider: There is no minimum number of participants for the initial training sessions, but it is recommended that the SUP student leader-led sessions be delivered to 20–40 students. Schools are requested to provide a screen for the PowerPoint presentation and access to technology such as an iPad or laptop to facilitate students' completion of the post-survey. In cases where iPads or laptops are unable to be provided, alternative arrangements can be made e.g. paper-based surveys. Ongoing support is available to schools via the SUP facilitator. SUP also ensures that schools are regularly contacted throughout the year to check in on student training, provide advice or encouragement, and address any questions or concerns at no extra cost.
• Australian context: This program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

Minimum cost

$5,000+

Detailed cost

The cost for the full SUP program is $8,250 (including GST), plus travel costs for schools located over 100 km from Melbourne CBD (discountable for multiple school bookings). This includes:

• 5 in-person sessions for students, student leaders, parents/carers and teachers
• SUP student leader badges
• learning resources
• social media kit
• editable letters to parents/carers and teachers
• posters
• comprehensive evaluation report
• certificates of participation and leadership
• ongoing support for teachers, families and students.