Aides and Mentors
The Defence School Transition Mentors are based within schools across Australia for the purpose of providing support to the children of mobile Defence families.
Defence School Transition Metors are positioned in secondary schools. Mentors are funded by Defence but are employed by the local state or territory department of education.
Supporting Defence students
The Mentors' 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
Mentors can provide extensive support to Defence children, but are not teachers and do not work with one child on a long-term basis. To find out which schools have Defence School Transition Mentors in place, visit the DCO website at www.defence.gov.au/dco or contact the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.
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