Defence School Mentor (DSM)
A Defence School Mentor (DSM) provides dedicated support to children of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families, particularly during times of transition such as postings, relocations, and long-term deployments.
The DSM is a school-based position funded annually by the Department of Defence to promote the best possible educational and social outcomes for children of Defence families. This program is administered by Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) and reflects the strong partnership between Defence, education authorities, and schools in supporting Defence members and their children.
The position was established in recognition of the unique challenges Defence children face, including the academic and social difficulties that can arise with frequent school moves. As the DSM, Sandra's role is to help students adjust to new environments, build connections, and settle into school life as smoothly as possible. She also provides ongoing support to all Defence students whenever they seek or need assistance.
Here at Bray, Sandra often describes her role as being the “school Aunty.” Sandra is the supportive adult students can turn to, someone who can share a laugh, lend a listening ear, and provide guidance when needed, but who will also hold them accountable when necessary. In her time here and in the DSM role, Sandra has tried many methods to support students and as such a range of strategies programs and initiatives designed to foster resilience, strengthen community connections, and help Defence families navigate the unique experiences of being a mobile family.
- Welcome BBQ at the beginning of the year, open to students and families
- Helping families settle into their new school community
Supporting children when a parent is away on deployment - Assist in the school in understanding the needs of ADF parents and their children
- Monitoring new students and helping them when necessary
- Weekly Drop In aimed at forming friendships
- Encouraging fellow students to look after new students and adopting a buddy system
- Assisting families to collect work portfolios and academic records or reports for the new school
- Help the school commemorate special events such as ANZAC Day, Long Tan Day and Remembrance Day commemorations
- Supporting students in meetings with other staff members (Deputy, YLC, GO)
- Monitoring day to day children's personal issues such as friendships
- Act as a point of contact for ADF families within the school
- Assist with guiding families to support services available for Defence
- Transition support in and out of posting locality support and farewelling students
- Supporting community connections via our Community Connections Program at Anam Cara Aged Care Facility
If you need to make contact with Sandra, she is available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, by phone 07 3881 6666 or email sgard121@eq.edu.au.