The Defence School Mentor Program is designed to offer assistance to secondary students who are part of Australian Defence Force (ADF) families. It aims to support them during the challenging periods of transitioning into and out of schools due to postings or when parents are absent due to deployments, exercises, or courses.
Defence families often experience frequent relocations, sometimes as often as every 2-3 years. This results in significant variations in educational programs as different schools and states have different curriculum, subject selections, and age requirements for enrolment.
In addition to these challenges, Defence families must constantly rebuild their community connections and establish new friendships and support networks with each relocation. These moves can also impact the spouse, who may need to change jobs or careers, adding financial pressure to the already stressful situation for the family.
The Department of Defence understands that the mobile lifestyle of Defence dependants can be disruptive. To address these issues, the Department of Defence, through the Defence Community Organisation, implemented the Defence School Mentor Program. This initiative reflects their commitment to supporting ADF members and their families and aims to minimise any negative impact on their education.
What does a Defence School Mentor do?
A Defence School Mentor provides assistance to students and their families. This may include:
- Supporting students to develop their self-confidence and resilience
- Coordinating appropriate welcoming and farewelling strategies for young people of ADF families
- Encouraging young people to explore options and make the most of opportunities
- Assisting young people manage the challenges of transitions
- Referring students where necessary to appropriate student support services
- Identifying the issues and needs of individual students
- Developing and implementing programs and resources
- Monitoring students day to day social and emotional well-being
- Supporting young people at school during times of parental absence due to service requirements
- Facilitating student participation in cultural, sporting, academic and personal development programs
Excursions, incursions and lunchtime activities are organised throughout the year for our Defence students. The goal is to promote the growth of relationships and nurture a supportive network among students and our Defence School Mentor Claire Hunt. Some of the activities previously enjoyed by students include team building games, lip-sync music video creation, photo shoots, morning teas and participation in Department of Defence external events such as the Walk to Work Day at Garden Island and Welcome to the West in Fremantle. Participation is not compulsory, but is encouraged. If you have any questions, or suggestions for future activities, please contact email hidden; JavaScript is required.
SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT
The Defence Member and Family Support office is open from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
DMFS Rockingham Contact Details:
ADDRESS: 23 Chalgrove Avenue, ROCKINGHAM WA 6168
PHONE: (08) 9529 8842
EMAIL: email hidden; JavaScript is required
WEBSITE: www.defence.gov.au/members-families/
Defence Member and Family Helpline 1800 624 608
The Defence Member and Family Helpline is your first point of call for support, information and connection with your community, including your local DMFS team. The Helpline is available 24-7 and is staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists. They can also provide advice on mailing addresses and postal regulations for overseas deployments, and can facilitate the passing of urgent messages to deployed personnel.
You can also email the Helpline on email hidden; JavaScript is required.
The DMFS website provides ready access to information for Defence families on a broad range of ADF member and family topics.
All requests for emergency DMFS assistance outside these hours and on public holidays should be directed to the National Welfare Coordination Centre on 1800 801 026.
