Defence School Mentor Program

 

The Program

The Defence School Mentor (DSM) Program provides support to students of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families, particularly during their transition in and out of a school on posting or during parental absences due to deployment.

The program aims to assist Defence students and their families in four key areas throughout the student’s education. The key areas are welcoming, integrating, parental absence support and farewelling.

The DSM activities include:

  1. assisting children and families to integrate into the new school and local community 

  2. coordinating welcome and farewell community activities for relocating families 

  3. smoothing the transition between schools and different education systems (including minimising the impact of relocation on children’s learning outcomes) 

  4. monitoring the social, emotional and academic wellbeing of Defence students 

  5. helping students develop self-confidence, self-reliance and resilience 

  6. directing students to programs, services or opportunities that suit their needs 

  7. enhancing awareness and appreciation of the unique Defence lifestyle in schools and communities providing support to children during times of parental absence. 

Defence Kids Club

Mondays Lunch time - Junior School Multipurpose Room
(Pre-Primary - Year 5)

Drop Ins

Wednesday Lunch time - C Block
(Years 6 - 11)

 

Defence School Mentor

Our Defence School Mentor (DSM), Mrs Rachel Esler, 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. 

Rachel Esler is at Mother Teresa Catholic College on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

To get in touch, email: rachel.esler@cewa.edu.au

 

Significant Events

  • ANZAC Service

  • Remembrance Day

Additional Support

DMFS Rockingham contact details:

PHONE: (08) 9529 8842
EMAIL: DMFS.WA@defence.gov.au
ADDRESS: 23 Chalgrove Avenue, ROCKINGHAM, WA 6168
WEBSITE: www.defence.gov.au/members-families/

Defence Member and Family Helpline: 1800 624 608

The Defence Member and Family Helpline is the 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 professionals, including social workers and psychologists. They can also provide advice on addresses and postal regulations for overseas deployments, and can facilitate the passing of urgent messages to deployed personnel.