Lysterfield PS Newsletter

Student Wellbeing & Mental Health

Lysterfield Primary Student Wellbeing and Mental Health Team

Robyn Mowat \ Assistant Principal - Student Inclusion and Wellbeing

Kayla Pepper  \  Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader

Neil Butler \ Student Wellbeing Advisor

Kim Bedford \ School Counsellor/Social Worker

 

Mental Health & Wellbeing Programs at LPS

 

At Lysterfield Primary School we pride ourselves on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Programs that we provide to our school community. We implement a consistent, evidenced based, whole-school approach to student wellbeing and mental health and have a variety of structures and programs in place to promote student wellbeing at a range of different levels. 

 

At a schoolwide / classroom based level we provide the Friendology - URStrong Program, the 4R’s Program - Resilience, Rights & Respectful Relationships, the Circles Program and our much loved Buddy Program. 

 

At a small group level we provide a range of optional programs for students including Peaceful Kids, Social Stencil, Calm Campers and a range of Lunchtime Clubs. 

 

At an individual level we have our School Counsellor and trained Social Worker, Kim Bedford, who can provide one-on-one support for children, parents / carers and staff.

 

Please see below for a brief description of all of the different programs that we offer.

 

Friendology - URStrong

 

URSTRONG is all about empowering students with friendship skills, while providing the adults in their lives, both parents and teachers, a common language to support them. Kids learn what’s normal in a friendship, the difference between healthy and unhealthy friendships and how to stand up for themselves with kid-friendly concepts. As a URSTRONG School we have access to a variety of resources, lesson plans, videos and the URSTRONG’s Friendology 101 friendship curriculum. Follow the below link to register for  a free URStongFamily Membership and help support your child through the ups and downs of friendship - FREE Parent Membership. 

 

4R’s - Resilience, Rights & Respectful Relationships

 

The 4Rs program is a school-based holistic approach to student wellbeing that integrates resilience, rights, respectful relationships, and restorative practice. It aims to create a positive school environment where students learn social and emotional skills and feel safe, supported, and empowered to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.

 

The 4R learning materials include 8 Social and Emotional Learning topics across all levels of primary and secondary education:

  • Emotional literacy                                         
  • Personal strengths
  • Positive coping                                               
  • Problem solving
  • Stress management                                     
  • Help seeking
  • Gender and identity                                       
  • Positive gender relations

Circles

 

The popular, multi- aged Circles Program has been running at Lysterfield for many years and has evolved with the changing needs of our school community.  Year 6 students lead their peers working in multi-age groups from Prep to Year 6. The groups work cooperatively on activities designed to increase understanding and valuing of self and others and building positive relations. The program enables younger children to feel safe and cared for while older children feel valued and respected.  In addition, it provides Year 6’s with an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and qualities.

 

Buddy Program

 

At Lysterfield Primary School every Prep student is matched with a ‘Buddy’ in Grade 5. We have chosen to pair Grade 5 students with the new Preps so that the relationship can continue for 2 years which has proven to be very successful. The Buddy Program is one of the many ways that Lysterfield Primary School helps prep students settle into school. At the beginning of the year the Grade 5 students play a vital role in the induction of new Prep students.  A familiar face at the beginning of the year is so important for the Prep children and a much loved activity for our Grade 5 children. Buddies meet regularly throughout the year to complete fun activities and share a variety of learning experiences together. The program has an extremely positive impact on both the Prep and Year 5 students. It is another opportunity for our senior students to acknowledge their leadership, become more responsible and foster pride in their ability to be helpful and supportive. The bond that develops between the youngest and oldest students in the school has created a caring, nurturing school culture and memories that are never forgotten.

 

Peaceful Kids

 

‘Peaceful Kids’ is a Mindfulness and Positive Psychology based program that aims to lessen anxiety and stress and increase resilience in children. The program gives children the skills, practice and support to utilise coping strategies and build their emotional resilience so they are better equipped to deal with the day to day stresses that life brings them. 

 

Peaceful Kids also aims to - 

  • Teach children to self-calm
  • Empower children to manage their own anxiety
  • Teach children Mindfulness exercises they can use for life
  • Build a reservoir of strength to enable children to cope with life more effectively
  • Develop emotional intelligence skills
  • Teach children life-long skills to manage stress and prevent stress build up
  • Support children so they know that they are not alone with suffering from anxiety

Social Stencil

 

‘Social Stencil’ is an evidence based program that is designed to build respect and understanding of one another. With the support of facilitators who model inclusive and encouraging language the program builds the group’s shared understanding of complex human emotions, friendship concepts and skills to help them build peer relationships and manage real-life problems and conflict with others. Social Stencil is not a ‘traditional’ social skills program. It does not aim to train young people to learn a particular set of social skills considered ‘ideal’ or ‘most acceptable’. The Social Stencil vision is for all young people to have the practical skills and insights to manage peer relationships, and to be good social citizens through understanding and embracing the unique differences of themselves and others. 

 

Calm Campers

 

At Lysterfield Primary School we also run an optional camp preparation program called ‘Calm Campers’ (previously called Calm Kids). As a school we want to make sure that anxiety about camps is addressed and doesn’t become a reason for students to not attend.  We support students and parents/carers to make sure that every child has the best possible opportunity to attend camp and have a fantastic experience. With each camp we run information sessions for parents/carers to give families a better understanding of the specific camps, however we are aware that for some highly anxious children this session is not enough.  In the lead up to our grade 4, 5 & 6 camps we offer students the opportunity to attend this small group program to specifically address the needs of students with anxiety concerns around camp.

 

Lunchtime Clubs

 

Lunchtime clubs are a structured initiative within the school that aim to enhance student engagement, social skills and inclusion by providing activities during unstructured times like recess and lunchtime. These clubs are designed to help students connect with their peers, build friendships and develop social skills, particularly for students who may struggle with social interaction or, at times, feel isolated from their peers. Some of the clubs that we run here at Lysterfield Primary School include Games Club, Chess Club, Rubik’s Cube Club, Art Club Library Club & Lego Club. 

 

School Counsellor / Social Worker

 

At Lysterfield Primary School we have a qualified School Counsellor / Social Worker, Kim Bedford. Kim works individually with students, parents / carers and teachers to assist in meeting mental health and wellbeing concerns that are unable to be met by one of our schoolwide or small group programs. Access to the program is through self, parent / carer or teacher referral. Kim is available as a support to students, parents / carers and staff and is at the school four days a week.

 

Referral Process for Mental Health & Wellbeing Programs 

If you have concerns about your child’s mental health or well-being, the first step is to speak with their classroom teacher. Teachers also monitor student well-being and will reach out to parents if they have concerns. If needed, additional support can be provided through our Whole School Wellbeing Programs or classroom-based strategies. When further assistance is required, teachers may refer students for tailored support, including small group programs, school-based counselling, or external services. Parents will be informed and involved in this process.

 

Please see below for a copy of the Lysterfield Primary School Mental Health & Wellbeing Parent Referral Process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Workshops / Other Information

 

Navigating Friendships Q and A Webinar - Michelle Mitchell

This Q and A webinar is designed to help parents and their tweens or teens (ages 8–16) make sense of the often tricky world of friendships. You’ll hear real, anonymous questions answered with warmth and wisdom – covering both the common and the unexpected.

 

When: Tues 27th May, 6:30 – 7:30pm AEST

Cost: $25.00 AUD 

Access: It is yours to watch and view as many times as you want for 6 months from the date of purchase.

 

Click here for more information and to register - 

Sleep & Teens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to register -  

 

Podcasts of Interest

 

Well, hello Anxiety - Podcast - Dr. Jodi Richardson

 

Pop Culture Parenting - Pop Culture Parenting — Guiding Growing Minds

 

Parental as Anything - Parental As Anything with Maggie Dent and Bec Sparrow  - ABC listen

 

The Imperfects - The Imperfects Podcast

 

 

Anglicare Parentzone Newsletter - Parenting in the East What's On Term 2 2025

News and information on programs, services, groups and events to support parents across the Eastern Region of Melbourne. Some of the upcoming programs for Term 2 include Parenting Anxious Children, Talking Teens, Circle of Security Parenting and Tuning in to Kids - 

 

ParentZone Pods

 

Podcasts for parents, carers and those who support others with their parenting. The ParentZone Teams are delighted to bring you TWELVE ParentZone Pods. Each Pod identifies and explores common issues parents bring to our parenting groups and offers strategies to try in these situations. 

 

Podcast Series 1

Episode 1: Family Meetings

Episode 2: Dealing with Anxiety

Episode 3: Sibling Rivalry

Episode 4: Getting Children to Listen

Episode 5: How to Respond to Kids' Behaviour

Episode 6: How to Stop Yelling at your Kids 

 

Podcast Series 2

Episode 1: Positive Discipline

Episode 2: School Refusal

Episode 3: Parenting our Teenagers

Episode 4: Meltdowns vs Tantrums

Episode 5: Couples Parenting Together

Episode 6: Dads Parenting Today

 

ParentZone Pods can be found on our website, Apple and via Spotify