PERKS Parent Workshops
Parenting & Carer Workshops Supporting Southside Families
In 2024 the Southside Initiative teamed up with southside primary schools and local community services to pilot FREE parenting workshops to better support families. The workshops were well received.
Each term the Southside Initiative would like to offer at least two, relevant workshops that will support families and child development.
Workshops are FREE and open to all southside families to attend, regardless of which school your child may attend. Please note families from across Canberra are more than welcome to attend.
Please note supper will be provided plus there will be adjunct care provided for any children who may attend.
Up and Coming Workshops for 2025
Workshop: NO2Bullying (COMPLETE) 
Date: Term 2- Thursday 5 June
Time: 5:30 - 7pm
School Venue: Caroline Chisholm School
About: explore 3 strategies for parents whose children are being bullied at school, online or other areas of their life. The science behind why people bully others, baiting, and how to deal with bullies safely. Suitable for parents of Year 5, 6 and secondary year students.
Presenting Organisation: Canberra PCYC
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Cost: Free
Workshop: Dads as Teachers (COMPLETE)
Date: Term 2 - Thursday 12 June
Time: 5:30-7pm
School Venue: Lyons Early Childhood School
About: C'mon dads! Learn practical strategies to increase your child's literacy. There are learning opportunities for children everywhere and dads play a crucial role in this. There will be 4 unique workshops offered in each term, come to one, come to them all.
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Presenting Organisation: Uniting Care Kippax
Cost: Free
Workshop: Toileting Talk, Tips & Triumphs!
Date: Monday 23 June
Time: 5:30 - 6:30pm
Venue: Explore & Develop Conder
This workshop will help you identify the signs that your child is ready to toilet train and the steps to make the transition successful. Suitable for all families with children over one year of age.
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Cost: Free
Register Here
Workshop: Speech Therapy Basics For Parents
Date: Term 3 - Thursday 24 July
Time: 5:30 pm - 7pm
School Venue: Theodore Primary School
About: Are you concerned about your child's language development? Are you on a waitlist for a speech therapist but want to do something now to best support your child? Come have a chat with Sarah.
Presenter: Sarah Cording - Trained Speech Therapist
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Cost: Free
Register Here
Workshop: NO2Bullying
Date: Term 3 - Thursday 31 July
Time: 5:30 - 7pm
School Venue: Richardson Primary School
About: explore 3 strategies for parents whose children are being bullied at school, online or other areas of their life). The science behind why people bully others, Baiting, and How to deal with bullies safely. Suitable for parents of Year 5, 6 and secondary year students.
Presenting Organisation: Canberra PCYC
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Cost: FREE
Register Here.
Workshop: Money Masters - Your Rights When Things Get Tight
Date: Thursday 7 August
Time: 5:30 - 7pm
School Venue: Monash Primary School
About: Struggling with debt or simply want to learn more? This workshop will give parents/ carers practical steps to manage debt stress, understand their rights, understand financial hardship options, bankruptcy and other options to help control your finances.
Presenting Organisation: Care Financial
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Cost: FREE
Register Here
Workshop: Managing Big Feelings
Date- Term 4 - Thursday 21 August
Time: 5:30 - 7pm
School Venue: Richardson Primary School
About: Managing children’s big emotions is challenging and part of everyday life as a parent or caregiver. This workshop will provide 3 clear strategies for helping children move through their emotions, so they are able to re-engage with play, learning and daily routines.
Presenting Organisation: Marymead Catholic Care
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Cost: Free
Register Here
Workshop: Dads as Teachers (Social-Emotional Development & Belonging)
Date: Term 3 - Thursday 4 September
Time: 5:30-7pm
School Venue: Charles Conder School
About: C'mon dads! Learn practical strategies to increase your child's social-emotional development and belonging. There are learning opportunities for children everywhere and dads play a crucial role in this.
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Presenting Organisation: Uniting Care Kippax
Cost: Free
Register Here
Workshop: Speech Therapy Basics For Parents
Date: Term 4 - Thursday 16 October
Time: 5:30 pm - 7pm
School Venue: Richardson Primary School
About: Are you concerned about your child's language development? Are you on a waitlist for a speech therapist but want to do something now to best support your child? Come have a chat with Sarah.
Presenter: Sarah Cording - Trained Speech Therapist
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Cost: Free
Register Here.
Workshop: Managing Big Feelings 
Date- Term 4 - Thursday 27 November
Time: 5:30 - 7pm
School Venue: Monash Primary School
About: Managing children’s big emotions is challenging and part of everyday life as a parent or caregiver. This workshop will provide 3 clear strategies for helping children move through their emotions, so they are able to re-engage with play, learning and daily routines.
Presenting Organisation: Marymead Catholic Care
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Cost: Free
Register Here
