The Defence School Mentor (DSM) Program aims to assist Defence students and their families in four key areas throughout the student’s education and as they move from one school to another. The key areas are welcoming, integrating, parental absence support and farewelling.
The DSM activities include:
- assisting children and families to integrate into the new school and local community
- coordinating welcome and farewell community activities for relocating families
- 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
- enhancing awareness and appreciation of the unique Defence lifestyle in schools and communities
- providing support to children during times of parental absence.
Our DSM for 2024, Mrs Kylie Schenk, provides assistance to Defence students and their families and raises awareness of the unique needs of these families due to the military lifestyle within the school community.
Kylie Schenk
Defence School Mentor
kylie.schenk@spcc.nsw.edu.au