Welcome Back to 2026

I hope that everyone has had a great break from school doing more of the things that enhance your wellbeing.

For some students, returning to school yesterday will have been a positive day filled with excitement over the year ahead. For others, it was less excitement and more about feeling unsure about new beginnings. Both of these feelings are completely valid and hopefully your child came home yesterday with positive stories about the first day of the school year.

While all staff at Lysterfield work to support your child's wellbeing at school, two of our schools key contacts in the wellbeing area are myself as Assistant Principal, Wellbeing and Kayla Pepper, Learning Specialist - Wellbeing and Disability Inclusion.

We are fortunate to also have Kim Bedford, School Counsellor/Social Worker, at our school who works with some of our small groups and 1:1 with a small number of students.

If you have any wellbeing concerns regarding your child, your first contact point is typically their classroom teacher who then will work through our wellbeing processes to identify any supports that can be put in place.

Kayla will include additional information about our school processes in our next school newsletter.

Have a great weekend!

Neil Butler

Assistant Principal - Wellbeing

Upcoming Workshops / Other Information

Pop Culture Parenting Live Show

After a sold-out Melbourne show last year, Billy and Nick are returning to the stage with a brand-new live experience celebrating the beautiful chaos of raising kids.

When - Friday March 27th @ 7pm

Where - National Theatre, St Kilda

Podcasts of Interest

Pop Culture Parenting - Pop Culture Parenting — Guiding Growing Minds

Well, hello Anxiety - Podcast - Dr. Jodi Richardson

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 1 2026

News and information on programs, services, groups and events to support parents across the Eastern Region of Melbourne. Some of the upcoming (and free!) programs for Term 1 include Circle of Security Parenting, Tuning in to Kids, Tuning in to Teens, Surviving Separation, & the Strengthening Parents Support Program (for parents & carers of children with a disability, developmental delay or neurodivergence - including ASD, ADHD & AuDHD) -

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

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