Welcome to Life Ed Qld’s Impact in Action newsletter. Like us, we know you care deeply about the future of Queensland kids, so we are thrilled to bring you updates on how life education is changing children’s lives one lesson at a time.
In this edition
You can now see the impact being made across Queensland using the Impact Map. It works just like Google Maps and allows you to click on the orange hearts to read stories of real children helped this term. Every heart will show the positive change being made in a child’s life, thanks to our incredible supporters.
The Stand Up for Respect program’s whole school approach to bullying prevention has wrapped up it’s initial pilot stages and it’s time to look at the report card.
At the end of the Stand Up for Respect pilot, for children who were targets of bullying several times a week, the results showed a…
Imagine if we saw these kinds of changes in schools across Queensland! We are incredibly inspired by these promising results and we are so grateful to you for making this possible. We are now looking to extend the pilot, including to regional areas, which will serve as a model for statewide implementation. Watch this space for the growth of this incredible program.
In August, the Stand Up for Respect campaign has reached over 5,500 students, empowering them to stand up for kindness, tolerance, and respect.
This campaign was inspired by a troubling reality: over 5,500 people in Queensland fall victim to assault and sexual assault every month. But with the help of our supporters, we’re equipping the next generation with the tools to create a safer future.
The Life Ed centre came alive with handwritten pledges from students across Queensland, each one representing a young voice committed to building a better, more respectful world.
Thank you for standing with us and for making such a profound difference.
For Ava, Woongoolba State School captain (pictured far right), the pain of bullying wasn’t just something that could be ignored. A couple of years ago, she faced hurtful cyber bullying that left emotional scars long after the harassment had stopped.
“I told my parents right away, and the school stepped in,” Ava shares. “But my heart wasn’t completely fixed. It took time to heal.”
Today, Ava stands tall, thanks to her resilience and the tools she gained from the Stand Up for Respect program. This evidence-based initiative empowers students to recognise bullying, develop resilience, and learn practical strategies to stand up for themselves and others. Ava and her classmates are among 550 students who’ve learned to confront bullying head-on..
“I believe we can stop bullying if we teach kids early through programs like Stand Up for Respect,” Ava says with hope.
Ava’s journey is just one of many stories that illustrate how your monthly gift is making a difference. Students like Ava now feel empowered to speak up, stand tall, and create kinder, safer schools.
Acting Principal of Woongoolba State School, Tracey Pryce, has noticed the results, “Students are more aware of their own behaviour, are making an effort to speak with more kindness and include their peers in their lunchtime activities. It’s also given our students a little more confidence as they prepare to make the transition to high school.”
The generosity of our supporters fuels this transformation. Children are not only learning to to stand up for themselves and others, ensuring that no one has to face bullying alone.
During our 45 year birthday celebrations at Parliament House in Brisbane, we were so honoured to announce the winners of the inaugural Queensland Junior Upstander Awards. We reached out to the public to nominate children who go the extra mile to champion respect, empathy and kindness. Students could nominate themselves or someone they know. Allow us to introduce them, and tell you a little bit about their nominations…
Meet Nimea
“Nimea has strong voice and does not hesitate to stand up for others. She is an upstander because she consistently speaks out when she hears others using inappropriate names, speaking firmly and respectfully to stop derogatory language. She courageously reports incidents of bullying, demonstrating a strong commitment to fairness. Nimea’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive school environment makes her a remarkable role model. Her actions inspire others to kind, fair, and courageous.”
Meet Hannah
“I have chosen to nominate myself, Hannah, as an Aussie upstander. Sadly, around our country, over two million students have been afflicted by this devastating matter of fact, unable to stand up for themselves. Not just once, but many times I have recognised and put a stop to bullying. Like how when someone was continuously teased and called names, I put a stop to it by telling the bully not to make fun of others. When someone kept repeatedly mocking me, I told them to stop it because I didn’t like it. My motto Respect everyone, no matter their colour, culture, religion and appearance.”
Meet Jaxon
“There was a new kid at school, Danny, who was being made fun of because he had a genetic condition. He was being teased by students and me and my friend saw this and thought how rude and mean it was. I told them how would you like to be bullied for the way you were born and told them to not do it again and they didn’t do it again. Now me and Danny are really good mates and sit together at lunch.”
Meet Dominic
“Dom noticed his friends were refusing to let a girl sit at their lunch table. He knew this behavior was wrong. Despite feeling nervous, Dom took a deep breath and spoke up. “That’s not right,” he said firmly. “She can sit here with us.” His friends were surprised and annoyed. They got up and moved to another table, leaving Dom alone with the girl. Dom didn’t let this bother him. Instead, he smiled and welcomed her, making sure she felt included and respected.”
We believe that kids like these are worth recognising and celebrating. Through the Stand Up for Respect program, we know that by teaching children to use respect, compassion and empathy to face bullying, we can dramatically reduce violent behaviours and mental illness later in life. Thank you for supporting this incredible program.
For Brett, supporting Life Ed Qld isn’t just about giving back – it’s deeply personal. A supporter since 2015 and a proud Kids Protect Team member, Brett’s connection to the program began in his own school days, where Healthy Harold left a lasting impression.
“I remember looking forward to Life Ed like an exciting excursion,” he recalls. “It taught me the importance of staying healthy—and I’ve carried those lessons with me my whole life.”
Now, as a father, Brett’s reason for giving has deepened. His son’s experience with bullying and his daughter’s early journey through puberty have only strengthened his belief in the vital role of Life Ed.
“My 7-year-old son was bullied at his last school. As a parent, you want to fix everything, but you can’t always stop it. Life Ed gives kids the guidance they need when we can’t.”
Brett knows the challenges kids face today are greater than ever, and that’s why he continues to give. “There’s no handbook for parenting. Life Ed helps with the things we don’t always know how to say. It’s as simple as wanting the best for your kids.”
Thanks to supporters like Brett, Life Ed is empowering children with the knowledge and confidence to face the world’s toughest challenges—and his generosity is shaping a better future for all of us.
