The Upstanders program for 2025 is now underway after an official launch at Brighton Town Hall yesterday.
Upstanders is a collaborative project between Bayside City Council, Billilla studio program artist and author Cassy Polimeni, and a network of five schools across Bayside who are part of 'The Upstanders' community.
Now in its 13th year, the annual Upstanders program invites young people to upskill their knowledge on social and emotional learning and exercise their creative talents in spreading positive community messages.
This year, Cassy will lead workshops with 120 grade five students who will each create stories against bullying, culminating in a book of short stories to be launched later this year.
Their stories are aimed at inspiring fellow students, and our community, to speak up, find their voice, and support each other in the fight against cyberbullying.
Bayside Deputy Mayor, Cr Debbie Taylor-Haynes said the program was an opportunity for students to express their creativity and learn valuable lessons.
"It is so important that we all encourage values such as kindness, integrity, respect and fairness and put them into practise," said Cr Taylor-Haynes.
"Good luck to all students involved in the program. I can't wait to read their stories."
