Defence’s in-school Aides and Mentors are positioned in schools across Australia to provide support to the children of mobile Defence families.
Aides are positioned in primary schools and Mentors in secondary schools. Aides and Mentors are funded by Defence but are employed by the local state or territory department of education.
The Aides and 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.
The Aides and 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 in-school Aides or Mentors in place, visit the DCO website at www.defenc4e.gov.au/dco or contact the all-hours Helpline on 1800 624 608.
Picture Waikik Primary School
