Student Voice in Action: A Powerful Evening with the Stand Up Project (SUP)

At Glen Waverley Primary School, we believe that when students lead, communities grow stronger. That belief was on full display at our recent Stand Up Project Family Information Evening, where more than 60 parents, grandparents and siblings gathered to hear directly from our Year 6 Student Leaders.

The evening was a celebration of student agency, peer leadership and our students’ commitment to creating a safe and respectful school environment. Our SUP leaders spoke with insight and confidence as they shared their learning about the drivers of bullying, the power of upstanding and the plans they have to influence positive change across our school.

What stood out most wasn’t just the content of their presentations but the conviction with which they delivered it. Their message was clear: change happens when young people are empowered, trusted and supported to lead.

The feedback from families was overwhelmingly positive. Many commented on how proud they felt, not just of their own children, but of the direction our school is taking in placing student voice at the heart of our wellbeing approach. Others shared how encouraged they were to hear real strategies their children could use in daily life to be an Upstander, including the Four D’s: Direct, Delay, Delegate, and Distract.

The Stand Up Project is not a one-off initiative. It’s a carefully designed, whole-school program that complements our existing wellbeing work, including our use of The Resilience Project’s themes of Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness, Emotional Literacy, and Connection. Together, these programs create the foundation for a safe, supportive learning culture where every child can thrive.

To extend the conversation from school to home, we’re including a number of helpful resources for families in this newsletter:

• SUP’s Bullying Support Guide for Parents – practical guidance for supporting children on both sides of bullying situations.

   

• Prevent Bullying & Empower Change Infographic – a summary of key ideas, strategies, and upstander principles.

   

• Understanding and Responding to Bullying by Dr Zach Greig – an academic and personal reflection that offers insight into why bullying must be addressed collectively and with care.

We encourage you to take a moment to explore these resources. They reflect the heart of the work we are doing at GWPS: building a connected school community where student voice is not only heard—but is a driving force for change.

Thank you for being such important partners in this work.