Child development experts visit school

In an extraordinary opportunity for local families and teachers, Drouin, Longwarry and Labertouche Primary Schools recently welcomed two of Australia's most respected child development experts for professional learning and community engagement.
Developmental paediatrician Billy Garvey and psychotherapist Rebecca Harris delivered their Guiding Growing Minds Impact Series at Drouin Primary School.
The schools were selected through a national competition, an outcome that acting Drouin Primary School principal Christie Bransgrove said felt almost "too good to be true."
"Opportunities like this simply don't happen in regional Victoria," Ms Bransgrove said. "For many of our families and educators, this is the closest they will ever come to hearing a paediatrician and psychotherapist speak directly and without barriers. It was an incredibly special experience for our community."
Ms Bransgrove acknowledged the sessions were made possible because of the initiative of two staff members, Lisa Pyle from Drouin Primary School and Brooke Donoghue from Longwarry Primary School.
"These sessions only happened because Lisa and Brooke took the time to enter our schools into the competition," Ms Bransgrove said. "They dreamt big enough to imagine we could win, and because of their belief, our communities were given an extraordinary opportunity."
The afternoon session brought together teaching staff from across the three schools. Many arrived feeling the weight of a long and challenging year, but the session quickly proved transformative.
Teachers described the workshop as "uplifting", "affirming", and "exactly what we needed".
A particularly moving moment came when staff realised many of the approaches recommended by Dr Garvey and Ms Harris aligned with work they were already doing.
"One of our teachers physically sat up taller. To hear two leading experts say, "you're on the right track", was incredibly powerful, especially when teachers are tired and at times unsure if their effort is making a difference."
The evening community session drew a large turnout of more than 100 parents and carers, with many praising the presenters for their warmth, humour, and practical delivery. Families reported feeling "understood, not judged", and appreciated how accessible the information was.
"Parents were amazed at how real Billy and Rebecca were," Ms Bransgrove said. "Their honesty and relatability created trust straight away. People felt safe enough to be vulnerable and reflective. Something we don't often see in parent education sessions."
A standout element of both sessions was the presenters' willingness to stay on after the formal program had ended, speaking individually with families and staff. Their generosity, patience, and authenticity left a deep impression on everyone present.
"For a regional community, the value of this experience is impossible to measure," Ms Bransgrove said. "At one point I was brought to tears by sheer gratitude. To see our community, our teachers and our parents, this level of expertise and compassion, right here in our own gym, is something we will never forget."
The events strengthened connections across the three schools and ignited renewed momentum around student wellbeing, engagement, and trauma-informed practice.
"These sessions didn't just give us knowledge," Ms Bransgrove reflected. "They restored energy, strengthened hope, and reminded us why we do this work."
The impact has already been felt across classrooms and conversations, and the three schools said the experience would influence their practice for years to come.