For Teachers and Educators

Why positive teacher-student relationships matter

Let’s Talk: Values-Based Conversations

Step Together’s Values-Based Conversation Tools are designed for teachers and educators who want to facilitate meaningful discussions with young people.

Step Together Teachers and Educators - Start the Conversation toolkit

Explore practical resources and guidance designed to help teachers and educators foster safe and meaningful conversations about violent extremism, radicalisation and online safety in the classroom.

• UNESCO: A Teacher’s Guide on the Prevention of Violent Extremism: Build capacity to address the drivers of violent extremism through holistic, pragmatic education responses.
• Step Together: Extensive resources for understanding and navigating violent extremism, radicalisation, online safety, and conversation facilitation.
• eSafety Toolkit for Schools: Support for creating safer online environments in schools.
• The eSafety Guide: Learn how to protect personal information and report harmful content on popular platforms.
• eSafety Education: Professional learning and classroom resources for teachers.
• Young Men Online (eSafety): Research series exploring young men’s online experiences and ways to support healthy, positive masculinities.

Resources and programs for promoting healthy masculinity and positive behaviour in young boys and men 

Promoting positive masculinity in schools is crucial for improving boys' mental health, fostering respectful relationships, creating safer environments and developing well-rounded individuals.

By challenging harmful stereotypes and teaching healthy emotional expression, empathy and consent, you build confidence and connection for all students. 

Positive role models and mentors provide examples of men demonstrating integrity, fairness and empathy, and shows boys how to navigate challenges ethically. 

Beyond connection: mentoring support for boys

See below a list of organisations to further support for positive mentoring for young boys.

Find Ya Feet

An Australian not‑for‑profit, Find Ya Feet offer school, community and sports workshops that help boys and men tell their stories, “own their stuff,” and learn practical skills to speak up and support each other. Sessions aim to shift unhelpful “get on with it” cultures and strengthen connection.

Love Bites – NAPCAN

Love Bites is a school-based program that teaches young people about respectful relationships, consent and ways to prevent violence. It uses interactive workshops to build skills for healthy relationships and personal safety.

The Man Box (Student Wellbeing Hub)

The Man Box is a research‑based resource on how rigid masculine stereotypes affect young men’s wellbeing and behaviour, with findings and tools teachers can use to prompt healthy, respectful conversations. It links to reports and educator materials that challenge outdated norms and support positive masculinities.

Top Blokes Foundation

The Top Blokes Foundation is a not‑for‑profit that runs long‑term, evidence‑based mentoring programs for boys and young men (ages 10–24) to build resilience, empathy and respectful relationships. This is often delivered in schools by qualified youth workers.

Their programs cover mental health, online safety and positive masculinities to improve engagement and reduce risk‑taking behaviours.

The Man Cave

The Man Cave is an Australian not-for-profit that empowers boys and young men to lead healthy, respectful lives. Through engaging workshops and school programs, The Man Cave helps young men build emotional intelligence, foster positive relationships, and redefine masculinity for the better.

Their evidence-based approach supports schools, families, and communities in nurturing the next generation of confident and compassionate men.

Educator Professional Development (PD) – The Man Cave

Strengthen your capability to foster student wellbeing, emotional literacy, and respectful relationships. The Man Cave’s PD programs are mapped to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (AITSL), supporting professional growth and accreditation.

Features

• Evidence-based, impactful learning
• Alignment with AITSL standards across Professional Knowledge, Practice, and Engagement
• Supports accreditation, performance, and development.
  

AUS Curriculum Mapping

The Man Cave (TMC) programs align with the Australian (AUS) Curriculum, supporting key learning outcomes in Years 5–10, especially in personal, social and health capabilities.

Focus areas

• Respectful relationships and safety
• Identity, health, and wellbeing
• Self-management and interpersonal skills
• Safe, active, and healthy lifestyle choices.

Youth support services and programs

When a student needs more than classroom support, you can guide them to appropriate services.

These services and programs have been developed to support young people with life’s challenges.

Agent C Program (Ages 12 - 14)

Agent C is an interactive workshop run by All Together Now, Australia’s leading anti-racism organisation. It helps students aged 12–14 understand what racism looks like and how to stand up against it. Through activities and discussions, young people learn practical ways to promote respect and inclusion. The program is available Australia-wide, making it easy for schools to bring this important learning into the classroom.

Black Dog Institute - Education Services for Teachers

Black Dog Institute provides evidence-based training and resources to help teachers support student mental health and wellbeing. Their programs include professional learning and practical tools for early intervention and resilience building.

Blue Knot – Survivor Workshops

Blue Knot offers workshops and resources for people impacted by childhood trauma, focusing on healing and empowerment. Educators can access information to better understand trauma and create safe, supportive environments.

The Man Cave Student Workshops

Empower students to explore healthy masculinity, wellbeing, and respectful relationships. The Man Cave’s Student Workshops offer three full-day experiences based on the Rites of Passage framework, creating safe spaces for real conversations, group-building activities, and interactive games.

Benefits of the workshop

• Improved wellbeing and reduced negative behaviours
• Transformative experiences for personal and group growth
• Exposure to relatable role models
• Opportunities for authentic self-expression.

ReachOut Schools

ReachOut Schools provides free online resources to help teachers support students’ mental health and wellbeing. It includes lesson plans, classroom activities, and practical strategies for building resilience and coping skills.

Student Wellbeing Hub – Educators

This wellbeing hub by the Australian Government Department of Education, provides teachers with evidence-based resources and practical tools to promote student wellbeing and create safe, inclusive classrooms.

It includes lesson ideas, professional learning materials, and guidance aligned with the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework.