Defence School Mentor

The School offers a 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 Members and Family Support (DMFS).

Miss Andy is our DSM at Rydalmere East Public School .  The DSM's duties may include:

• Assisting ADF parents and children to become familiar with the school and its facilities;
• 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;
• 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.

Miss Andy can be contacted via school email at ryalmeree-p.schoool@det.nsw.edu.au or via the school office - (02) 9638 2250

Defence Club

Defence club operates on Mondays and Thursdays. It provides an opportunity for children to spend some of their lunch time participating in organised activities with other ADF students.

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.

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