We are together, equal, strong, kind and connected.
BY UNLEASHING PERSONAL POTENTIAL
Stronger Connections is a two-session program, with each session running for approximately 90 minutes (usually on the same day). Delivered onsite at your school by Unleashing Personal Potential, the sessions are designed for delivery to full year-level cohorts and focus on developing students' social skills and strengthening their relationships.
Session 1: Making New Connections
In this session, students build foundational skills to connect confidently with others, including those they don’t yet know.
Key skills and concepts include:
Developing empathy and recognising the equal value of all people
Building connections with new peers
Exploring the science of kindness
Learning practical conversation skills
Greeting others and speaking with confidence
Working collaboratively in teams
Session 2: Growing My Connections
This session focuses on deepening existing relationships and navigating challenges with empathy and assertiveness.
Key skills and concepts include:
Recognising the mutual impact we have on each other
Building trust through ‘Relational Bank Account’ deposits
Understanding and practising assertive responses in conflict (vs. passive or aggressive)
Learning to move from bystander to upstander — taking positive action when witnessing injustice
Working together to achieve more through teamwork
Embracing the mindset: we rise by lifting others
Learning how to give a genuine and encouraging shout-out
“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! ”
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.
What our partner schools say
“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.”
“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.