Upstander Week 2024

Upstander Week encourages student activism and awareness by inspiring students to become “upstanders” (rather than bystanders) and to take an active role in changing the world.  

From January 29 to February 2, each Dulwich College (Singapore) school will deliver age-appropriate classes and assemblies dedicated to what it means to be an Upstander.  

DUCKS 

In DUCKS, they will be using the Let's BEE slogan, to encourage our younger students to: 

Let's BEE: Kind, Safe, Respectful, Responsible   

Each class will have dedicated lessons to explain what the concept means. In Years 1 and 2, classes will consider the differences between teasing, mean moments and conflict and how to resolve it; for the Nursery and Reception years, classes will explore what it means to get along with others and who they need to talk to if they feel the need to talk to someone; and in Toddlers the focus will spotlight that ‘hands are not for hitting, feet are not for kicking, and teeth are not for biting’ and how they can ask for help. 

Junior School 

In Junior School, Monday’s assemblies will be dedicated to introducing the students to what being an ‘Upstander’ means and why being one is important. TV screens along corridors will share words of wisdom, quotes and images to consolidate the message in place of regular content. Classroom lessons will include role play, library sessions will focus on texts to do with Upstanders and each student in Junior School will scribe a promise or pledge on their wristband to wear with pride at the end of the week. The Junior School parent reps will also be meeting during the week to send a message to the rest of parent community so that they can support their children at home.

Senior School 

In Senior School, where this concept will arguably have its greatest impact, there will be a whole school focus on acting with empathy, integrity, respect and responsibility in interactions with other people. Each morning registration will centre around one of four specific themes: 

• Defining the difference between bullying and unkind behaviour 
• Identifying safe spaces around the school 
• Practising different ways to be an Upstander 
• Exploring different ways of reporting unkind or bullying behaviour 

There will be a tutor group challenge to promote a culture where discrimination is not tolerated and to help create an environment where each member of our community feels safe; and a student forum led by Head Students to gather student voices on how to promote upstanding and combat bullying and discrimination.