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 trial FREE parenting workshops. The workshops were well received.
PERKS will continue in 2025. Each term the Southside Initiative would like to offer at least two, relevant workshops that will support Southside families.
Workshops are open to all southside families to attend, regardless which school your child may attend and in most cases are FREE.
Please note supper will be provided plus adjunct care for any children who attend.
Term 1 & 2, 2025.
Workshop: Early Childhood Development 
Term 1 Monday 3 March
Time: 5:30 - 7pm
About: Are you a parent or carer of a child aged 0 – 5 years? Would you like to learn more about developmental milestones?
Venue: Explore & Develop Conder. 29 Sidney Nolan Street, Conder.
Dinner and adjunct care provided: Yes
Presenting Organisation: EACH
Cost: Free
Register here.
Workshop: Managing Big Feelings 
Term 1 Thursday 6 March. Gowrie Primary School. Register here.
Term 2 Date: Thursday 29 May. Gilmore Primary School Register here.
Time: 5:30 - 7pm
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
Workshop: Speech Therapy Basics For Parents
Term 1, Saturday 15 March
Time: 10am - 11:30 am
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?
Venue: Coombs Community Centre
Morning Tea Provided: Yes
Cost: Free
Please register here.
Workshop: Adolescents, Anxiety and School
Term 1 Thursday 13 and 20th March (Two Sessions)
Time: 5:30 - 7pm
About: Are you struggling with your teenager's or pre-teen's anxiety? Is school attendance a challenge?
School Venue: Namadgi School
Presenter: Sarah O'Sullivan. Bachelor of Social Work, UNSW
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Cost: $30 - This covers both sessions (and will fund the professional facilitator)
Please register and pay here
Workshop: Managing Conflict in the Home 
Term 1 Monday, 31 March, 2025
Time: 5:30 - 7pm
About: Some strategies to build better relationships with family members and what to do when conflict arises. The workshop will touch on 3 main areas: couple relationship, parent/child relationship & sibling relationships.
Presenting Organisation: Relationships Australia
School Venue: TBC
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Cost: Free
Register here.
Workshop: FU2Bullying 
Term 2 Thursday, 5 June, 2025
Time: 5:30 - 7pm
About: explore 3 strategies for parents whose children are being bullied at school, online or other areas of their life 1) The science behind why people bully others, Baiting, and How to deal with bullies safely.
Presenting Organisation: Canberra PCYC
School Venue: Caroline Chisholm School
Dinner & Adjunct Care Provided: Yes
Registration Link: Coming Soon.
Cost: Free
Workshop: Dads as Teachers
Term 1 Thursday 27 March (Numeracy). Charles Conder School. Registre here
Term 2 Thursday 12 June (Literacy). Lyons Early Childhood School. Register here
Term 3 Thursday 4 September (Social-Emotional Development & Belonging). 
Charles Conder School. Registration Not Open
Term 4 Thursday 27 November (Creativity). Venue TBC
Time: 5:30-7pm
About: C'mon dads! Learn practical strategies to increase your child's literacy, numeracy, and creativity with fun play activities for home or outside in the garden or park. There are learning opportunities for children everywhere and dads play an important 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
