Defence School Mentor
The DSM (Defence School Mentor) Program provides support to children of ADF (Australian Defence Force) members and their families, particularly during their transition into and out of a school on posting, or during parental absences due to deployment, exercises or courses. Defence School Mentors are funded by the Department of Defence through DMFS (Defence Member and Family Support). They are employed as a member of the school staff by respective schools or education systems within each State or Territory.
Defence Connections: Defence Connections is held twice a week at lunch time and provides students from Defence families a place where they can meet with their peers and enjoy a fun activity together, along with the DSM. If you feel your child could benefit from attending Defence Connections, please encourage them to come along!
Parental absence from home support: The DSM works closely with students who are experiencing parental absence from home due to service requirements. It is recommended that parents advise the school and DSM of the member’s absences from home due to deployment, exercises or extended courses.
The Education Assistance Scheme (EAS): The EAS is aimed at minimising the disruption to a child’s schooling, caused as a result of a Defence posting. Reimbursement may be provided for tuition for primary and secondary children within the first 18 months of enrolment at the new school. The entitlement is 14 weeks, at 1 hour per week, per subject. This scheme can be of great benefit to your child. The DSM actively promotes the EAS to our teaching staff and our Defence families and encourages all entitled students to take advantage of the scheme. The paperwork for this scheme is available via the DMFS website.
Coffee Catch up: Once a week on Tuesday mornings, Defence parents are encouraged to pop in for a quick cuppa and a chat with our DSM. New postings can cause isolation throughout the whole family. This encourages families to form a stronger network of friendships and where further information can be obtained to what external support is available if required.
Commemorative Assemblies: Our school is passionate about educating our students on the importance of commemorative occasions. Our DSM works primarily with students from Defence Families, to plan, organise and execute our ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day assemblies.
Defence Connections: Defence Connections is held twice a week at lunch time and provides students from Defence families a place where they can meet with their peers and enjoy a fun activity together, along with the DSM. If you feel your child could benefit from attending Defence Connections, please encourage them to come along!
Parental absence from home support: The DSM works closely with students who are experiencing parental absence from home due to service requirements. It is recommended that parents advise the school and DSM of the member’s absences from home due to deployment, exercises or extended courses.
The Education Assistance Scheme (EAS): The EAS is aimed at minimising the disruption to a child’s schooling, caused as a result of a Defence posting. Reimbursement may be provided for tuition for primary and secondary children within the first 18 months of enrolment at the new school. The entitlement is 14 weeks, at 1 hour per week, per subject. This scheme can be of great benefit to your child. The DSM actively promotes the EAS to our teaching staff and our Defence families and encourages all entitled students to take advantage of the scheme. The paperwork for this scheme is available via the DMFS website.
Coffee Catch up: Once a week on Tuesday mornings, Defence parents are encouraged to pop in for a quick cuppa and a chat with our DSM. New postings can cause isolation throughout the whole family. This encourages families to form a stronger network of friendships and where further information can be obtained to what external support is available if required.
Commemorative Assemblies: Our school is passionate about educating our students on the importance of commemorative occasions. Our DSM works primarily with students from Defence Families, to plan, organise and execute our ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day assemblies.
