POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS
EQUIPPING YOUNG AUSTRALIANS TO BUILD QUALITY, LASTING FRIENDSHIPS
BY UNLEASHING PERSONAL POTENTIAL
Positive Peer Relationships is a practical, skill-based workshop designed to strengthen students’ personal and social capabilities, helping them build more positive and meaningful interactions with others. Delivered as a proactive bullying prevention tool, the workshop equips students with strategies to navigate their social world with empathy, confidence, and respect—while also reducing judgement around perceived differences.
This experience is delivered at your school by the Unleashing Personal Potential team and is designed for whole year-level cohorts. It includes two distinct sessions, each running for approximately 90–120 minutes (delivered on the same day), as follows:
SESSION 1: GROWING MY SOCIAL SKILLS
This session focuses on developing essential social tools that foster stronger peer connections.
Key concepts and skills include:
The Power of Empathy – learning to stand with others by respecting and appreciating differences
Active Listening – practical skills for improving everyday communication and relationships
Connection – recognising how naturally connected we already are and the importance of nurturing those connections
SESSION 2: BUILDING STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS
This session builds on the first by focusing on navigating social challenges and enhancing group dynamics.
Key concepts and skills include:
Bullying & the Science of Kindness – understanding the real-world impact of both bullying and kindness on ourselves and others
Conflict Resolution – learning to respond to conflict with assertiveness instead of passivity or aggression
Bystander vs Upstander – empowering students to take positive action when they witness injustice
Teamwork – working collaboratively to achieve shared goals
Putting it into Practice – structured opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in real-time activities
Rising by Lifting Others – learning how to give meaningful and encouraging shout-outs to build a more supportive environment
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).
““It was absolutely incredible. I was blown away by the attention to detail, careful balancing of theory and practice, the carefully sequenced activities that built towards independence, the quality of the presenters - everything. It was just so good, so impressive.””
Expertly Designed Workshops
All UPP workshops are expertly designed by respected educator Luke McKenna and delivered by our team of highly trained specialists. Since 2015, these practical, engaging, and age-appropriate programs have positively impacted over 400,000 Australian students and are trusted by teachers and principals nationwide.
Engaging Learning Approach
We use a proven learning, action, reflection approach in every workshop, engaging students through videos, stories, interactive activities, reflection, teamwork, and partner sharing. For more details, check out our guarantee.
Follow-Up Resources for Teachers
Follow-up resources are provided for teachers after each workshop to reinforce key messages throughout the school year. These resources provide clear language and practical strategies to help continue your students’ learning in an engaging, consistent way.
Details and Pricing
The investment for this engaging and transformative incursion, including follow-up materials, is $22 + GST per student (minimums apply), plus travel expenses if applicable. Delivered at your school — by team members based in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne — this whole-cohort workshop works best in a school hall or similar space.
Schools outside these areas may consider our online workshop option.
Contact Us
If you have questions about how our workshops can benefit your students, please contact Luke at 0407 677 253.
What our partner schools say
“Matt & Cole did a wonderful job with our Year 6 students. The students were engaged for the entirety of both sessions. The content was aimed at the appropriate level and informed the students while engaging them. We had a mixture of mainstream and support students who all enjoyed and benefited from the experience. It was a fabulous day. ”
“Our session yesterday was wonderful. Gil and Jaime were super engaging, knew their content and connected with the kids amazingly! The session was exactly what our student needed. Thank you for being so helpful and running a great program. ”
“An innovative and highly engaging presentation not only for children but also for adults.”
“A fantastic workshop! Maddy and Freddy were brilliant facilitators. We would definitely engage in further workshops.”
“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be.”
““Very engaging and genuine presenters, relatable and personable. Kids were highly involved.” ”
““An excellent day with lots of powerful messages.” ”
“Both teachers and students have come out with strategies to deal with friendships and emotions.”
“Yet again another wonderful day presented by UPP! The boys thoroughly enjoyed the day. We look forward to working with you again later this year!”
““Really enjoyed participating, observing and listening to the program. The students loved it and will take a lot away from it.” ”
““IT WAS FANTASTIC! All staff and students had nothing but positive feedback. All the kids were so engaged and focused.””
““Very well organised and structured. Really hit the mark!””
““Students are always engaged. UPP do an amazing job.” ”
““Just like to thank you all for a great day. Our presenter, Peter, was sensational, witty and engaging. Organised, engaging and presented to the kids level. The kids enjoyed the day and learned a lot.””
““A great day that engaged the students from start to finish. The group activities were well set up and both facilitators were fantastically engaging, getting the most out of our students.””
“Excellent presenters. Very professional- full engagement of the students.”
““Great engaging and vibrant speaker. Students were eating out of his hand and hanging on every word.” ”
Praise for UPP FROM STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
“Our students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed UPP's program. Our kids were engaged by the enthusiastic speakers, Cole and Matt, to which students continued to converse amongst themselves after they left. The speakers were well prepared and had the resources to present effectively. Whalan Public School hopes to see you all again as the content you teach is engaging and memorable.” Mike Dionisio- Whalan Public School
"A vibrant and engaging presentation that captivated our students all day." Belinda Ryan- Deputy Principal and Wellbeing Leader- Our Lady of the Rosary, Kyneton, Melbourne.
"Students were engaged. Expectations were made clear by Pete. Fantastic management of behaviour." Nidhi Bajaj- Year 6 Teacher- Berala Public School, Sydney
"The whole program was well tailored for nurturing the whole child. Great strategies used." Di Kibble- Year 5 Teacher- St Joseph's, Beenleigh.
"Love this day! It actually benefitted us as teachers as well and we have got some good ideas to use with our students now and in the future." Nicole and Chelsea- Year 5 Teachers- St Brendan's, Somerville, Melbourne.
"Thank you and your staff for an amazing day last week. All staff and students enjoyed the day! It was wonderful to see all students engaging with the day, and surprising to see the way some students responded to the activities. The team delivered the day in a professional manner and were able to relate well to the students. Thank you again for a wonderful day!" Karen Whitehouse- Teaching & Learning Coordinator- Chatswood Hills State School
"A fantastic day and so productive. Peter was awesome and the kids were having great discussions today about what they have taken away from the day." Cath Azzopardi- Assistant Principal- Wattawa Heights Public School
"Peter presented the program with enthusiasm, spontaneity and relevance for our students." Kath Henry- Year 5/6 Teacher- Karuah Public School, Newcastle.
"Fantastic day- we loved the training. The activities were targetted effectively for our students. All students were motivated throughout the day and were given practical tools to achieve success. Fabulous." Alisha Mitchell and Donna Spiteri- Year 6 teachers- Petersham Public School, Sydney.
"An excellent and worthwhile day for young leaders." - Andrew Griffin- Year 6 Teacher- Indooroopilly State School, Brisbane.
"Thank you UPP. You have definitely started something at MNPH. The students have paid attention and are already looking for a small change in themselves. We look forward to doing it again next year." Lisa Butterfield- Stage 3 Assistant Principal- Miranda North Public School, Sydney.
"The whole day was so engaging and flowed so well. I would highly recommend this training. The students were engaged and having a lot of fun while learning." Gemma Cashman- Year 6 Teacher- St Finbar's, Sans Souci, Sydney.
"Unleashing Personal Potential programs empower and engage primary school students with a direct and inspiring approach to Leadership. Not the chalk and talk but rather engagement, action and reflection. RBSLEC will continue to work with UPP to unleash the personal potential of our future leaders." Clint Curran- Head of School- Runaway Bay Sport and Leadership Excellence Centre, Gold Coast.
"Amazing message with practical examples kids relate to. Great to see all kids interacting and engaging in content. You have a great rapport with the kids. Thank you for unlocking this thinking for our students."- Year 6 teacher- All Saints School, Brisbane.
"This was my first time using your service. The day was an outstanding success for the students. the two presenters were upbeat and fun with the students but also very clear with the positive messages.
It was outstanding." Kate Gannon - Year 5 Teacher- Sacred Heart Primary School, Newport