Building UPstanders Fun-Shops

 Empowering Students to Stand Up Against Bullying

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Why Building UPstanders?

“While there is growing research on programs to address bullying, few interventions target the bystander, yet most that do are successful in decreasing bullying. Research suggests that targeting the bystander and giving them the tools and encouragement to intervene as “upstanders” should be an integral component of bullying interventions.”


Hart et al. (2019) Promoting upstander behaviour to address bullying in schools, Middle School Journal. 50:1, 6-11

Building UPstanders shifts the dynamic by empowering students to support those targeted by bullying, ultimately promoting a positive, inclusive school environment, enhancing peer relationships, and inspiring community-wide change.

Our Approach: The Building UPstanders Fun-Shops

Our whole-school Building UPstander fun-shop is designed to foster shared understanding and a common language about bullying while equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to be proactive UPstanders. The fun-shops use engaging, fun activities to teach important lessons, ensuring students remain attentive and involved. With a two-year cycle of differentiated content, the program maintains its impact and reinforces essential messages through varied games, stories, and activities.


To maximise the program’s effectiveness and support the entire school community, each booking includes a 60-minute parent information session on helping children avoid being targets of bullying and a 15-30 minute teacher information session. These sessions are scheduled before the student fun-shops to prepare parents and educators for reinforcing key principles.



Fun-Shop Details

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Bullseye

45-60 min

Kindergarten

Greatest Outcome:

A fun, friendship-focused workshop where students learn the three key aspects of bullying behaviours, how to respond if they see someone being bullied, and how to be an UPstander friend.

Bull-ease

45-60 min

Stage 1

Greatest Outcome:

An inventive and engaging fun-shop that teaches the difference between conflict and bullying, the three aspects of bullying behaviours, and practical ways to be an UPstander and support peers.

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Taking the Bull out of Bullying

60-75 min

Stages 2 & 3

Greatest Outcome:

This empowering seminar dives deeper into the dynamics of bullying, helping students distinguish between conflict and bullying while understanding the power of being an UPstander and supporting others effectively.

Two hands holding each other.

Bullynet

60-75 min

Stage 3

Greatest Outcome:

A unique, stimulating fun-shop that addresses cyberbullying. Students learn about bullying behaviours in the digital realm, their impact on targets, and how to act as UPstanders in online situations.

Fun-Shop Name Duration Greatest Outcome
Bullseye 45-60 min, Kindergarten A fun, friendship-focused workshop where students learn the three key aspects of bullying behaviours, how to respond if they see someone being bullied, and how to be an UPstander friend.
Bull-ease 45-60 min, Stage 1 An inventive and engaging fun-shop that teaches the difference between conflict and bullying, the three aspects of bullying behaviours, and practical ways to be an UPstander and support peers.
Taking the Bull out of Bullying 60-75 min, Stages 2 & 3 This empowering seminar dives deeper into the dynamics of bullying, helping students distinguish between conflict and bullying while understanding the power of being an UPstander and supporting others effectively.
Bullynet 60-75 min, Stage 3 A unique, stimulating fun-shop that addresses cyberbullying. Students learn about bullying behaviours in the digital realm, their impact on targets, and how to act as UPstanders in online situations.

What They Say

Principal Testimonials

Mount Terry Public School logo

“We had Dr Patty come to our school and deliver her differentiated workshops to all our students from Kindergarten to Yr 6. All our children came away with some really important learnings around what bullying is, why it happens, the difference between bullying and conflict, and what to do if you either witness or experience bullying. There was some great common language developed across the school, especially around the importance of being an ‘upstander’, helping students to be proactive and productive in a safe way. Dr Patty’s experience and expertise in the field is something we can all draw from and will certainly help us to address bullying in a productive and proactive way.”

Mr David O’Connor, Principal, Mount Terry Public School, Albion Park

(May 2024)

St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Thirroul logo

”Recently all our students attended the K-6 Building Upstander program presented by Dr Patty Rose from edYOUtopia. These interactive workshops were structured in such a way that all students regardless of their age were thoroughly engaged and actively involved whilst learning important strategies to help address situations, which involve bullying. The key concept of being an upstander rather than a bystander is one that the students can readily understand and they learn about practical ways in which they can stand up to bullies as well as support victims of bullying. The free parent workshop was well attended and it provided the parents with a deeper understanding of the nature of bullying and ways to support their children.


I would highly recommend Dr Patty and the Building Upstander program as it sends a strong message to the students and perfectly complements the school’s existing behaviour management and pastoral care programs.”

Mr. Danny Sykes, Former Principal, St Michael’s Primary School, Thirroul

(April 2015)

Teacher Testimonials

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“This seminar will help me build UPstanders in my class by giving the children insight of kindness. Don’t miss it! Thank you.”

Robyn (Yrs 1–6) from Mount Terry Public School (May 2024)
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“This seminar will help me build UPstanders in my class by encouraging children to be more proactive with identifying bullying. The funshop seminar was highly informative with great strategies. Really enjoyed the presentation and look forward to the positive change in our school community.”

Matt (Stage 3) from Mount Terry Public School (May 2024)
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“This seminar will help me build UPstanders as the Upstander language across the school will support building better citizens of the future. The funshop seminar was interactive, engaging and movement through learning. Thank you.”

Rebecca (Stage 1) from Mount Terry Public School (May 2024)
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“This seminar has explained the key concepts/meaning/idea of bullying versus conflict so now teachers can build on the discussion. The funshop seminar is interactive and engages students. Language is at child’s level and relays a very important message and helps students identify bullying and what strategies they can use if they are being bullied. What a wonderful teacher and person you are!!”

Grace (Stage 1) from Colo Vale Public School
(May 2024)
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“This seminar will help me build UPstanders if teachers use the language across the school and refer to the actions. It was an engaging seminar where students were able to join in through discussion, actions and be volunteers. Great visual video to reinforce ideas. I like how you incorporated movement and drama.”

Fiona (Stage 1) from Colo Vale Public School (May 2024)
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“Young thinkers are provided with clear and memorable phrases, actions and images/symbols to help them know how to identify a bully and to support their friends. In this funshop seminar important concepts are delivered in a fun and meaningful way that accommodates a range of learning styles - kinesthetic, aural, visual learners etc… Ms Rose is incredible in what she does. She knows students and how they learn. She creates a fun learning environment and delivers a range of learning experiences to foster understanding of key concepts and enthusiasm amongst young people to be an upstander.”

Simon (Early Stage 1) from Colo Vale Public School(May 2024)
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“The content starts a conversion amongst the students that think will spill over to the playground.This is a great interactive seminar that keeps the students engaged and having fun which creates a memory, something they will actively remember from muscle memory not just empty words. I loved this and I hope it becomes a regular thing in ALL schools. Thank you for starting the conversation!”

Chantal (SLSO) from Colo Vale Public School (May 2024)
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“Games and discussions that are fun and engaging to help students understand how they can stand up to bullies. Great funshop for students that need reminders on strategies for recognising and standing up to bullies. Fun and engaging!!”

Maighan(Stage 2) from Colo Vale Public School (May 2024)

Student Testimonials

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“I liked it so much. It was so much fun”

Penelope, Mount Terry Public School, May 2024
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Brax, Mount Terry Public School, May 2024

“I loved it so much”
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“It was nice. I liked it so much”

Quincy, Mount Terry Public School, May 2024
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“Don’t bully”

Amelia, Mount Terry Public School, May 2024
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“No bully”

Maycee, Mount Terry Public School, May 2024
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“I liked this so much and it was nice. I love it”

Madison, Mount Terry Public School, May 2024
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“Bullying is not ok”

Apiah, Mount Terry Public School, May 2024
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“I will be an upstander by helping people like friends, family and anyone that needs it. Everything about the funshop was and is fantastic”

Madison, Mount Terry Public School, May 2024
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“Bullying is not ok. I will be an upstander by helping”

Lachie, Mount Terry Public School, May 2024
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“I learnt to stand up for myself. I will be an upstander by saying stop it I don’t like it. The funshop seminar was so much fun.”

Arizona, Mount Terry Public School, May 2024

Join Us in Building a Culture of Kindness

At edYOUtopia, our Building UPstander fun-shops empower students to lead with empathy, stand against bullying, and inspire positive change.

Building UPstanders Fun-shops

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What areas do you service for the Building UPstander program?

    Although Dr. Patty Rose and edYOUtopia are based in New South Wales, the Building UPstander program is available to schools across Australia. Dr. Patty can travel to any location to deliver the fun-shops, ensuring that schools nationwide can benefit from this empowering and transformative program.

  • How can I make a booking for the Building UPstander program?

    We would love to hear from you and find the best time to fit your school schedule. To make a booking, please contact Dr. Patty directly at 0478 957 669 or through out contact form here. 

  • Are the Building UPstander fun-shops linked to the NSW Curriculum?

    Yes, each fun-shop is aligned with the NSW Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education Syllabus. Teachers receive a lesson plan, an Upstander Pledge sheet, and a follow-up class playsheet to reinforce learning and integrate it into the curriculum.

  • What are the logistics for the Building UPstander fun-shops?

    The fun-shops are designed to be presented in one day or part thereof, with students participating in their stage cohorts. The ideal venue is a school hall or library equipped with a projector. Class teachers supervise their students and engage in the session to help reinforce key learnings. The Building UPstander fun-shops feature a two-year cycle of differentiated content, so students receive consistent messages with varied stories and activities each year.

  • How much does the Building UPstander program cost?

    The cost for the Building UPstander fun-shop, which includes a 60-minute parent support session and a 15-30 minute teacher information session, is typically $3,300 (including GST). For more detailed pricing or additional information, please reach out to Dr. Patty at 0478 957 669 or email here.

  • How can we qualify for a 10% discount?

    Regular schools that book the Building UPstander program each year qualify for a 10% discount. The program's two-year content rotation ensures that students receive refreshed messages and activities annually, maintaining engagement and reinforcing key lessons.

Ready to Inspire Your Students to Become Empowered UPstanders?

Contact us today to book your Building UPstander fun-shop and start building a culture of kindness and leadership in your school.

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Intention

At edYOUtopia, we strive to creatively inspire kindness and nurture caring school communities led by empowered leaders and UPstanders.

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Mission

Our mission at edYOUtopia is to empower students, parents, and educators to foster a culture of empathy, kindness, support, and leadership within schools. Through our innovative leadership programs and UPstander fun-shop seminars, we inspire students to become proactive agents of change and promote inclusive, supportive environments.

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Goal

Our ultimate goal is to reach and positively impact every school community across Australia, ensuring that each one benefits from programs that encourage kindness, leadership, and a culture of support.