Defence School Mentor Program

The Defence School Mentor Program is funded by the Department of Defence. The DSM’s are employed by the local state or territory Department of Education.

The Defence School Mentor Program is delivered in partnership with schools to support the wellbeing of children of ADF members.

The program connects children with their school community and enhances the school’s ability to address the impacts of the military lifestyle.

The program has 4 objectives:

1. Provide families with information about the school environment and the support available relevant to their child's development needs.
2. Support children to access school based social and emotional support, aligned to school policies.
3. Facilitate opportunities for children to build relationships and connections through events and other initiatives.
4. Raise awareness amongst the school community about the impacts of the Defence lifestyle on children and families.

Support to students:

• Assist students to identify individual concerns.
• Assistance in managing concerns and developing coping strategies.
• Liaise with teachers and parents.
• Develop individual intervention strategies with students, teachers, and parents.
• Smoothing the transition between schools and different education systems (including minimising the impact of relocation on children’s learning outcomes).
• Monitoring the social, emotional, and academic wellbeing of Defence students.
• Helping students develop self-confidence, self-reliance, and resilience.
• Directing students to programs, services or opportunities that suit their needs.
• Providing support to children during times of parental absence.

Support to Parents:

• Assistance in managing concerns and developing coping strategies.
• Assist with ADF specific concerns.
• Provide information or access to external referral agencies.
• Provide up to date information on issues affecting the Defence community.

Support to Teachers:

• Available to discuss student concerns and devote time to addressing them.
• Assist with lifestyle specific disruptions to students’ academic program and well-being.
• Provide targeted intervention to support student needs.

A Defence School Mentor is employed at Safety Bay Primary School to support your family. To find out which schools have Mentors in place, visit the DMFS website at Defence School Mentor Program | ADF Members & Families | Defence or contact the all hours Defence Family Helpline 1800 624 608

Education Assistance:

Defence Member and Family Services offers a wide range of other education support services, resources, and information for Defence children.

These include Education Liaison officers who can provide advice for families about different state and territory schooling systems and other education issues.

Financial assistance for some education costs incurred by relocation due to positing. For enquiries about education support for Defence Children email. Education.supportprograms@defence.gov.au

Further information can be obtained by contacting the school or DSM directly.

You can:

Make an appointment to see me.

Drop by the school office (Monday and Friday)       

Contact me by phone  08 9591 6800.

Send an email   deborah.rajecki@education.wa.edu.au