Student Wellbeing & Mental Health

From the Wellbeing Zone 🌿

Mental Health and Wellbeing at Lysterfield Primary School

At Lysterfield Primary School, we believe children learn best when they feel safe, connected, understood and ready to learn.

Supporting student wellbeing is not something separate from learning - it is a vital part of it. When children feel a sense of belonging, can build positive relationships, understand their emotions and know how to seek support when needed, they are far better placed to thrive both socially and academically.

Our wellbeing approach focuses on prevention, early support, and building the skills children need to navigate the challenges that come with growing up. Across the school, we provide a range of supports at whole-school, small group and individual levels to ensure every child feels known, supported and included.

Whole-School Wellbeing Supports

Friendology - URSTRONG

As a URSTRONG school, we explicitly teach friendship skills and provide students, staff and families with a shared language around friendships and social challenges. Through Friendology, students learn about healthy friendships, navigating conflict, recognising friendship challenges, and ways to communicate with confidence and kindness.

4Rs – Resilience, Rights & Respectful Relationships

Through the 4Rs program, students develop important social and emotional skills in age-appropriate ways, including emotional literacy, problem solving, positive coping, respectful relationships and help-seeking. These lessons help build the foundations for emotional wellbeing, resilience and healthy interactions with others.

Circles

Our much-loved Circles program has been a valued part of Lysterfield for many years. In multi-age groups led by our Year 6 student leaders, students come together to participate in activities, discussions and shared experiences that foster connection, empathy, teamwork and belonging. It is always wonderful to see older students stepping into leadership roles while younger students feel supported and included within the wider school community.

Buddy Program

Starting school is a big milestone, and our Buddy Program helps make that transition feel exciting, safe and supported. Every Prep student is paired with a Grade 5 buddy, creating a special relationship that continues across two years. These connections often become one of the highlights of the school experience for both our youngest and oldest students.

Targeted Small Group Supports

Some students benefit from additional support at different points in their school journey, and we offer a range of small group programs to meet those needs.

Peaceful Kids

Peaceful Kids supports students who may experience anxiety, stress or emotional overwhelm, helping them develop calming strategies, emotional awareness and confidence in managing big feelings.

Social Stencil

Social Stencil supports students in building social understanding, friendship skills and confidence in navigating peer relationships. The program encourages students to better understand themselves and others while developing practical strategies for real-life social situations.

Calm Campers

For students feeling nervous about school camp, Calm Campers provides additional support and preparation in the lead-up to camp experiences. The goal is to reduce anxiety, build confidence, and help every child feel supported to participate in these important milestones.

Lunchtime Clubs

Structured lunchtime clubs provide additional opportunities for connection, inclusion and engagement during less structured parts of the school day. These clubs can be especially valuable for students who enjoy quieter social spaces or benefit from extra support connecting with peers.

Individualised Support

For students requiring more personalised support, we are fortunate to have our qualified School Counsellor / Social Worker, Kim Bedford, working alongside students, families and staff.

This support may include one-on-one sessions with students, parent/carer consultation, collaboration with staff, and support in connecting families with additional services where appropriate.

Partnering with Families

Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing works best when school and home work together.

If you have concerns about your child’s friendships, confidence, emotional wellbeing, behaviour, or mental health, we encourage you to reach out. Sometimes children need a little extra support for a short period, while at other times more targeted intervention may be helpful - either way, working together gives us the best opportunity to support your child positively and proactively.

Our school’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Referral Process helps guide how additional support is accessed, ensuring each child is matched with the most appropriate support for their individual needs. Families with wellbeing concerns are encouraged to begin by speaking with their child’s classroom teacher, who can work in partnership with you to determine the most appropriate next steps. You can view our Parent Mental Health and Wellbeing Referral Process here.

At Lysterfield, student wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility, and we are proud of the caring, connected and supportive culture we continue to build together.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Kayla Pepper | Learning Specialist - Wellbeing

Upcoming Workshops / Other Information

Online Safety - ESafety Commissioner - Free Webinars for Parents and Carers

These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safer online experiences. 

Yellow Ladybugs 2026 Conference – Reclaiming the Past to Shape the Future

Yellow Ladybugs is a non-government organisation, dedicated to the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls, women and gender diverse individuals. This three-day event (2-4 June, 2026), Supporting Autistic Girls and Gender-Diverse Students at School and Beyond, brings together over 50 lived and professional perspectives from around the world. It’s led by an autistic-run charity that has always stood proudly for empowerment, understanding, and community. Together, we’ll explore how far we’ve come and how much further we can go through neuro-affirming, trauma-informed discussions that celebrate growth, belonging, and hope.

For more information - 

Anglicare Parentzone Newsletter - Parenting in the East What's On Term 2 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 2 include Tuning in to Kids, Talking Teens, Dads Matter, Emotion Focussed Parenting & the Strengthening Parents Support Program (for parents & carers of children with a disability, developmental delay or neurodivergence - including ASD, ADHD & AuDHD) - 

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

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