Defence Mentor Program
Assisting our students and Defence Force families with information, support and referral
A significant number of the students in our school come from families whose mother and/or father are employed by the Australian Defence Forces (ADF). Our school has a Defence School Mentor (DSM), Jackie Pedder, who is available to assist our students and Defence Force families with information, support and referral.
Young people respond differently to relocation and change. Some make a comfortable transition into the new school. Others may experience difficulties. Social and emotional factors such as changes in behaviour, loss of self-esteem and diminished academic performance may become apparent.
To assist young people with the transition process, the Defence School Mentor works as part of Largs Bay School’s Wellbeing Team in The STEM centre to:
- Provide ongoing support and assistance to young people with their integration into the school community
- Raise on-going awareness of mobility issues facing students
- Assist students to build their self-confidence and resilience
- Encourage young people to explore options and to make the most of opportunities available to them.
This can include
- Being a contact to parents of mobile ADF students in the school
- Attend to the welcoming and well-being of students/families
- Assisting students to quickly develop a sense of belonging at Largs Bay School
- Being available to assist with student achievement when they transition from one state to another
- Supporting students when a Defence parent is on long term deployment, or on training/exercise
- Assisting students to build resilience with their day-to-day friendships and school activities
- Enhancing the relationship between the school and their Defence community.
The Defence School Mentor can be contacted by calling 8282 6400 or directly via email jackie.pedder870@schools.sa.edu.au