We are together, equal, strong, kind and connected.
BY UNLEASHING PERSONAL POTENTIAL
Social connection- More than wealth, intelligence or extracurricular activity, social connection was the strongest predictor of:
Academic performance;
Wellbeing;
Long-term career performance.
(Achor, S. Big Potential, Random House, London, 2018.)
Our relationships are a sum of the short-term interactions we have with other people. These can either be life-giving, or life depleting (Dr Jane Dutton, University of Michigan).
Stronger Connections is about building personal and social skills to enhance the quantity and quality of our interpersonal interactions.
Stronger Connections has two distinct sessions that each run for approximately 90 minutes. They are delivered at your school by Unleashing Personal Potential, to whole year level cohorts.
Session 2- Growing My Connections
Skills developed and concepts covered:
The people around me impact me, as I impact them
Making deposits in Relational Bank Accounts
Passive / Aggressive / Assertive responses when conflict arises
Bystander vs Upstander…teaching students how to be upstanding when they witness injustice.
Working together to achieve more
We rise by lifting others
Learning how to give a shout-out
Session 1- Making New Connections
Skills developed and concepts covered:
Building empathy and an understanding of equality of all people
Making connections with new people
The science of kindness
Developing conversation skills
Greeting people and speaking with confidence
Working collaboratively in teams
All UPP workshops have been expertly designed by respected educator Luke McKenna and are delivered by our team of carefully selected, highly trained specialists. Our workshops are tried and tested to be practical, engaging, positive, interactive and age appropriate. UPP workshops have had a positive impact on more than 300,000 Australian students since commencing in 2015 and are highly trusted by Teachers and Principals across Australia.
We use our learning, action, reflection process for all workshops, which ensures that all students are engaged through a variety of different modes (video, stories, interactive activities, reflection, teamwork, partner sharing, etc). For more about that, check out our guarantee.
If you would like to discuss your questions about how this workshop can positively impact your students, contact Luke on 0407 677 253.
“My GOODNESS! We had a fabulous time with Jamie, Gill and Lily. They were totally professional and engaged our students beautifully. Their presentation was effortless, the PowerPoint, video and music were all appropriate and helpful. We feel grateful for having them partner with us in helping our kids through the challenges of ‘growing up connected’. The student feedback was very positive – they laughed, pondered and engaged with each other in new ways. I was amazed to see some with their BFFT and start to see how being brave and talking to someone relatively new can open possibilities of new friendships. This is just so important to us. Again, thank you for your team! ”
“Great session and powerful messages presented in a clear and accessible way.”
“Excellent! Students engaged and it really hit the mark. We will be able to build on lessons learned. Fantastic presenters!”
“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”
““The UPP sessions were fabulous yesterday. My colleagues and I were really impressed with the way in which the students responded. The students enjoyed themselves, and the material linked in nicely with the cohort’s experience.””
“I think it was great and the girls loved it! Linking activities back to concepts and giving the girls specific examples had the greatest impact.”
Follow-up resources for teachers
Follow-up resources are also provided for teachers to use after your Stronger Connections workshop in order to ensure the powerful messages really hit home with students (and teachers) for the rest of the school year. It provides some basic language that can be referred back to and helps to consolidate the building of the personal and social capabilities for students.
DETAILS AND PRICING
The investment for this engaging and transformative incursion and included follow-up material is $21+GST/student (minimums apply), plus travel expenses (if applicable). The incursion is run by UPP at your school (around Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney) with a whole cohort of students. The best venue is your school hall (or similar), as we use a learning, action, reflection process throughout the day. Schools outside these service areas may consider our online workshop option.
“A really dynamic presentation with a fabulous balance and variety of activities- which were expertly connected to the core messages. Very powerful in engaging our students, and making it real and relevant to them.”
“Presenters were engaging, approachable and pitched the presentation at our year 7’s well. The messages were well received by our students.”
“This program makes a difference in unlocking the potential of our youngest students.”
“Fantastic program. Excellent to see all students actively participating. Students were highly engaged and had a lot to take away.”
“Dynamic, highly engaging, relevant and meaningful to our students and staff. I highly recommend Luke and the UPP team.”
“Students were engaged throughout this fun-filled session, with lots of learning.”
Further Praise for UPP
"The program and activities immediately took all of our students out of their comfort zone, challenging them physically, emotionally and intellectually. Presenters very quickly established great rapport and respect. Awesome." Andrew Willis- Year Coordinator- Yeppoon SHS
"Our UPP program was heavily activity based, delivered with intensity and humour which kept our students engaged throughout the day. Our students are extremely diverse culturally, racially and socio-economically yet this program was able to reach every single student." Martin Wiseman- Assistant Principal- St James College.
"This was an excellent day! The activities were great, the information is relevant and it is so valuable in the lives of our students." Laura Finn- Pastoral Leader- Trinity College, Beenleigh
"Memorable, engaging, motivating, challenging, thought-provoking. The UPP whole day workshop had it all. The integration and presentation of research to support the commentary was received extremely well by students and staff. The format of the day carefully sequenced to intersperse high-energy parts with reflective counterparts. Every person walked away with a unique ‘take-home’ memory to give further thought." Natasha Podoliak- Director of Middle Schooling- Brisbane Boys College.
"Great presence and inspiring content led to high student engagement throughout. The mix of presentation methods kept student attention." Nerelle Goodwin- Teacher- Assumption College, Warwick.
"A great combination of input and activities that were relevant to students. Very engaging." Teacher- Mt Maria College, Mitchelton
"The content delivered is extremely important and the mixture of presentation methods kept all of the students engaged." Angeline Anthony- Teacher- Varsity State College.
"Great presentation. Excellent variety between theory and activity. Engaging and relevant." Anthony Hayward- House Master- St Joseph's, Gregory Terrace.
"Activities were really good- students were engaged and thoroughly enjoying themselves." Teacher- Pimpama State College
“Very professional, engaging and interactive. It was such a great experience and (two weeks later) the students have not stopped talking about it!” Danielle Kelly, Year Coordinator, St Eugene College, Burpengary
"Excellent points made with a great mix of information and activities. Resources to support the course are well developed too." Andrew Duncan- Year 7 teacher- Padua College, Kedron.
"A great mix of information giving and physical activities to illustrate the point being made. Student were engaged from the outset, until the end." Teacher- St Benedicts College, Mango Hill.