Defence School Mentor Program
The Defence School Mentor (DSM) program at Wodonga South Primary School is an initiative that provides support and assistance to the children of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families. The DSM Program is particularly valuable to ADF families during times of parental absence due to deployments, exercises, courses and when transitioning schools due to postings.
The DSM program is to ensure the success and well-being of children of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, recognising the unique challenges faced by military dependents, who often experience frequent relocations and disruptions to schooling. By providing onsite support, the program aims to create an environment for ADF children to achieve education success will supporting their social and emotional wellbeing.
Crystal Maher is the Defence School Mentor as well as our Guidance Officer at Wodonga South Primary School.
Crystal brings insight as a defence spouse and parent, giving her a personal understanding of the challenges faced by defence families.
Crystal also plays a vital role in referring students to appropriate services and programs, as well as enhancing awareness and appreciation of the defence lifestyle within the school and broader community.
Crystal is available Monday to Friday between the hours 8am-4pm, balancing her DSM responsibilities with her role as the school’s Guidance Officer.
The DSM duties may include:
- Helping defence children and their families integrate into the school and local community.
- Monitor children’s social and emotional wellbeing..
- Assist and monitor children’s friendships and peer groups.
- Foster the development of self-confidence, and resilience.
- Provide support to defence children during times of parental absence due to deployments, training exercise or courses.
- Contribute to school assemblies and newsletter where appropriate.
- Maintain contact with ADF families.
Defence Club
This club provides a dedicated space for defence children to engage in activities, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Defence Club is accessible to non-defence students as well. Defence Club, is open on a Tuesday and Thursday.
The club features the ADF teddy bear. He is looked after by a different defence child or family each fortnight, with the option to document your adventures in the accompanying scrapbook.
Educational Assistance Scheme
If your child’s learning is disrupted due to a defence relocation, tutoring assistance may be provided to defence children within the first 18 months of enrolment at the new school.
Wodonga South Primary School is committed to supporting the needs of ADF families, ensuring that their children receive the care, resources, and educational opportunities they deserve, even in the face of the challenges to the defence lifestyle.
Please visit the DMFS website at https://www.defence.gov.au/members-families/ for further details or contact Crystal.
Relocations, Training Exercises, and Deployments
To ensure that defence children receive the support they need during times of parental deployment or training exercises, the school encourages families to inform the DSM and the class teacher. This allows the school to provide the necessary assistance and resources to help the child and family navigate these times.
We all request that when you are notified of a posting you advise the DSM to ensure a smooth transition to your new location.