Teachers & Parents

We present this Event as a day school excursion for high school students addressing student wellbeing.

Recently an extensive study written by Professor Patrick Parkinson “For Kids’ Sake” Repairing the Social Environment for Australian Children and Young People was presented in 2011 outlining grave concerns about the future of our world. Some of his findings are:

More that 25% of our young people aged 16-24 have a mental disorder and a further 24% experience moderate to severe psychological distress.

There has been an increase of 66% in the number of 12-14 year old children and 90% 15-17 year old students hospitalized because of intentional self harm from 1996-2006 (p7).

The result is that fragile families grow fragile children who in turn grow fragile children and the cycle continues.

It is clear that with all these new development programs to find happiness or to develop positive psychology we are not addressing key issues to solve these difficulties.

Stand Tall aims to address key issues in the PDHPE Curriculum by presenting pop culture role models sharing their real life stories to inspire young adults to make great life choices and rise above these risk behaviours and difficulties.

Strand One: Stages 5.1, 5.2 & 5.3

• Objectives: Students will enhance their sense of self, improve their capacity to manage challenging circumstances and develop caring and respectful relationships:

• 5.1 – Analyses how they can support their own and others sense of self

• 5.2 – Evaluates their capacity to reflect on and respond positively to challenges

• 5.3 – Analyses factors that contribute to positive, inclusive and satisfying relationships

Strand 3: Stages 4.7 & 5.7

• Objective: Students will take action to protect, promote and restore individual community health

• 4.7- Identifies the consequences of risk behaviours and describes strategies to minimize harm

• 5.7 – Analyses influences on health decision-making and develops strategies to promote health and safe behaviours

Stand 4: Stages 4.16 & 5.16

• Objective: Students will develop and apply the skills that enable them to adopt and promote healthy and active lifestyles

• 4.16 – Clarifies the source and nature of problems and draws on personal skills and support networks to resolve them

• 5.16 – Predicts potential problems and develops, justifies and evaluates solutions

Yesterday our SRC had the opportunity to view a number of speakers from this year’s Stand Tall event. Can I just say - what amazing, inspirational and moving stories! All students left the sessions feeling uplifted and motivated to view their lives differently and act accordingly. THANK YOU for organising such a line up and for touching young lives in this way!' Teacher – Sydney Government High School

"The speakers are high quality and interesting. They all had an interesting story and perspective to share. They had good advice. I was fascinated by the stories they shared and they hooked me in. [The Speakers spoke about] believing in yourself, having hope, don’t compare your life to others. Being grateful for what you have in life. Serving others is a good thing." Teacher, Sydney Private School

'Stand Tall has a wonderful new way of reaching these students who won’t identify themselves to us but have a chance to hear the message anonymously. By bringing the whole year group, you reach the ones who we might never have identified as needing help.' Head of Counselling, Sydney High School

'It is the most inspiring day that our Year 8 students experience. Every year it has a profound impact on how they view themselves, their lives and their futures.' Teacher, Canberra School

Our children and students make more decisions every day than adults had to as teenagers. 

Age old issues of peer pressure, bullying and low self esteem are part of their everyday, as well as screens and a constant barrage of images, advertising messages and an expectation of instant communication means our teenagers live under more pressure to perform than any other generation.

24%

Studies show that 24% of young people aged between 16-24 experience moderate to severe psychological distress,

90%

90% of 15-17 year olds who are hospitalised experience some form of intentional self-harm.

IN A 2017 SURVEY OF AUSTRALIAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BY GALLUP ONLY 45% SAID THEY HAVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

We conducted our own Student Survey following our event which told us:

• 78% of students left with more hope for the future

• 88% loved the event and want to return next year

• 75% made the decision to make positive changes in their lives

• Over 55% had particular areas of need in their lives in which Stand Tall provided immediate help

These young people are our children, their schoolmates, and our future.

Stand Tall shows your children and students that they have the power to make positive choices that will have a positive impact on their lives.

Each Stand Tall Event accounts for 4 hours of the PDHPE Curriculum.

We address key issues facing today’s teenagers by presenting pop culture role models sharing real life stories to inspire students to rise above high risk behaviours, and make choices that lead to positive outcomes.