DEFENCE SCHOOL MENTORDefence School Mentor program
Wodonga Primary School offers the Defence School Mentor (DSM) Program which provides support to children of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families, particularly during transition into and out of a school on posting, or during parental absences due to deployment exercises or courses. The position is funded by the Department of Defence through the Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS). |
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Anna-Clare Makin is the DSM at Wodonga Primary School. She works 10 hours per week at the school. The DSM’s duties MAY include:
The overall purpose of the DSM program is the facilitation of the best possible educational outcome for dependents of ADF members by providing on-site, direct and flexible assistance to children, parents, teachers and other support services.
Anna-Clare works on Monday and Tuesday between 9 am and 2pm and can be contacted by email at [email protected] or via the school office on 02 6048 0300.
Defence Kids club
Kids Club operates 1 day per week (Tuesday lunch time). It provides an opportunity for children to spend some of their lunchtime playing games, colouring-in, or making craft items. Whilst the club is primarily provided for Defence children, it is open to the entire school. The ADF teddy is part of the club and is looked after by one Defence child each week. If the child wishes to, he/she can write about their adventures in the accompanying scrapbook.
Deployment and exercises
It is helpful if Defence families inform the DSM and their child's class teacher if a parent is to be deployed on exercises or other training. This enables the school to best support your child during a potentially stressful time.
Educational assistance scheme
If your child experiences educational disruption as a result of a posting, reimbursement may be provided for tuition for primary and secondary children within the first 18 months of enrolment at the new school. Please contact Anna or visit the DMFS website at https://www.defence.gov.au/members-families/ for further details.
You can also contact your Regional Education Liaison Officer (REDLO), who can provide information on the full range of services which are covered by the EAS. The REDLO for Wodonga is Aileen Kris and she can be contacted by email on [email protected].
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HELPFUL LINKS
Defence Members and Family Support (DMFS):
Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) offers a broad range of programs and services to help Defence families make the most of the challenges and opportunities provided by the military way of life. Visit the DMFS website at https://www.defence.gov.au/members-families/ to find out more information on the range of services provided.
The best way to access any of these services is to contact the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on [email protected] or 1800 624 608.
Defence Family Helpline:
The Defence Member and Family Helpline is the first port of call for Defence families seeking information or access to DMFS's range of support services. The Helpline is staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists, who can provide you with assessment, assistance, advice or referral depending on your needs.
The Helpline operates 24/7 and can be accessed by phone on 1800 624 608or by email at [email protected] . Emails will receive a response within 24 hours.
Regional Education Liaison Officer (REDLO):
Regional Education Liaison Officers, or REDLOs, are qualified and experienced teachers who are able to provide specialised information and educational support to ADF families when they re-locate.
The REDLO for Wodonga is Aileen Kris and she can be contacted by email on [email protected].
- Assisting ADF parents and children to become familiar with the school and its facilities;
- Coordinating appropriate welcoming and farewelling activities for ADF children involving the school community;
- Supporting children at school during times of parental absence from home for service requirements;
- helping children to develop self-confidence, self-reliance and resilience;
- Monitoring ADF children's personal issues such as friendship, peer groups and classroom difficulties;
- Contributing items of interest to the school newsletter; or
- Maintaining contact with ADF families who are enrolled in the school.
The overall purpose of the DSM program is the facilitation of the best possible educational outcome for dependents of ADF members by providing on-site, direct and flexible assistance to children, parents, teachers and other support services.
Anna-Clare works on Monday and Tuesday between 9 am and 2pm and can be contacted by email at [email protected] or via the school office on 02 6048 0300.
Defence Kids club
Kids Club operates 1 day per week (Tuesday lunch time). It provides an opportunity for children to spend some of their lunchtime playing games, colouring-in, or making craft items. Whilst the club is primarily provided for Defence children, it is open to the entire school. The ADF teddy is part of the club and is looked after by one Defence child each week. If the child wishes to, he/she can write about their adventures in the accompanying scrapbook.
Deployment and exercises
It is helpful if Defence families inform the DSM and their child's class teacher if a parent is to be deployed on exercises or other training. This enables the school to best support your child during a potentially stressful time.
Educational assistance scheme
If your child experiences educational disruption as a result of a posting, reimbursement may be provided for tuition for primary and secondary children within the first 18 months of enrolment at the new school. Please contact Anna or visit the DMFS website at https://www.defence.gov.au/members-families/ for further details.
You can also contact your Regional Education Liaison Officer (REDLO), who can provide information on the full range of services which are covered by the EAS. The REDLO for Wodonga is Aileen Kris and she can be contacted by email on [email protected].
.
HELPFUL LINKS
Defence Members and Family Support (DMFS):
Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) offers a broad range of programs and services to help Defence families make the most of the challenges and opportunities provided by the military way of life. Visit the DMFS website at https://www.defence.gov.au/members-families/ to find out more information on the range of services provided.
The best way to access any of these services is to contact the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on [email protected] or 1800 624 608.
Defence Family Helpline:
The Defence Member and Family Helpline is the first port of call for Defence families seeking information or access to DMFS's range of support services. The Helpline is staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists, who can provide you with assessment, assistance, advice or referral depending on your needs.
The Helpline operates 24/7 and can be accessed by phone on 1800 624 608or by email at [email protected] . Emails will receive a response within 24 hours.
Regional Education Liaison Officer (REDLO):
Regional Education Liaison Officers, or REDLOs, are qualified and experienced teachers who are able to provide specialised information and educational support to ADF families when they re-locate.
The REDLO for Wodonga is Aileen Kris and she can be contacted by email on [email protected].
