The Big Picnic – a great end of year school celebration

The Big Picnic is a simple yet meaningful way to celebrate the end of the school year while promoting inclusivity, friendship and connection across the entire school community.

What is The Big Picnic?

The Big Picnic is a whole school picnic where students bring their usual packed lunch and eat together as one school community. The concept was created by You Can Sit With Me as a great way for school communities to come together and celebrate the year. It’s up to school how and when they celebrate but are welcome to use the information on the You Can Sit With Me to help them set up their own event.

Some schools also choose to invite parents and carers to join the celebration, turning it into a wonderful family event.

The focus is on connection—students and staff sit together, mixing year groups, reconnecting with friends, and forming new friendships. It is deliberately simple and fuss-free, with the emphasis on spending time together to promote inclusiveness.

When is The Big Picnic?

• Any date that suits your school in term 4.
• Time: School lunchtime

How have schools celebrated in the past?

Each picnic reflects the creativity of the school community. Some examples include:

• Asking students to wear a touch of yellow to celebrate inclusivity.
• Organising lunchtime games, such as whole-class games of Duck, Duck, Goose.
• Hosting a whole school BBQ or cake stall, with proceeds donated to YOU CAN SIT WITH ME.

Every school does it slightly differently, but the heart of the event is the same: bringing everyone together.

Why is The Big Picnic important?

Inclusive events create opportunities for children of all ages and backgrounds to feel a part of something bigger than their classroom. The Big Picnic promotes inclusivity by breaking down social barriers and encouraging kindness, respect and friendship, regardless of age, gender, ability, religion or culture.

Celebrating as one community sends a powerful message that everyone belongs. This supports student wellbeing, builds confidence, and helps foster a positive and welcoming school environment.

How to run The Big Picnic

Running the event does not require elaborate planning by schools, but a few key steps will make it successful:

1. Save the date in the school calendar.
2. Meet with colleagues to explain The Big Picnic and involve them in preparation.
3. Inform parents and carers by sending a letter or announcement about the event.
4. Decide whether to invite parents and carers to attend the picnic (optional).
5. On the day, take a few moments to talk to students about YOU CAN SIT WITH ME and the importance of inclusivity.
6. Celebrate your ambassadors by awarding them end-of-year certificates (printable PDFs available on the YOU CAN SIT WITH ME website. If possible, laminate these certificates so they can be kept as a memento.

The benefits for school communities

Events like The Big Picnic go far beyond a fun afternoon. They build school spirit and have lasting benefits for students, teachers, and families:

• Encourage friendships across year groups: Children get the chance to meet peers they may not normally interact with, strengthening social connection.
• Reduce social isolation: By sitting together, children who may feel left out have the chance to be included without barriers.
• Strengthen community ties: If parents and carers are invited, families connect with one another and with school staff in a relaxed, informal setting.
• Build inclusivity into school culture: The Big Picnic reinforces the message that kindness and inclusivity are everyday values, not just classroom lessons.
• Create positive traditions: End-of-year celebrations like this become part of the school’s culture, giving students something to look forward to and fondly remember.
• Support student wellbeing: Shared meals and communal time outdoors are uplifting for both staff and students, helping to ease end-of-year fatigue.

A simple idea with a big impact

The beauty of The Big Picnic lies in its simplicity. No elaborate decorations or major planning are required—just a willingness for the school community to come together, share a meal, and celebrate inclusivity.

As YOU CAN SIT WITH ME reminds us: it’s five little words to change a little life. The Big Picnic is a wonderful way to bring this message to life, ensuring every child feels seen, supported, and part of a caring school community.

YOU CAN SIT WITH ME is an inclusive, evidence-based, peer-led program reducing school refusal, social isolation, bullying, exclusion and non inclusive behaviour. It has been recognised as a “Tier 1 Preventative Program” in the Australian Government’s Anti Bullying Rapid Review.

YOU CAN SIT WITH ME provides free programs for schools, sporting clubs and community groups.  

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You Can Sit With Me has been recognised as a “Tier 1 Preventative Program” in the Australian Government’s Anti Bullying Rapid Review.