Defence Force Mentor

Welcome to Redlynch State College. My name is Nadine Eddy and I am the College Defence Force Mentor employed to support students of Defence families.

I am available at school Monday to Fridays and can be contacted via the College telephone (07) 4039 9222 or email RSCdefencesupport@redlynchsc.eq.edu.au

As Defence Force Mentor at Redlynch State College, my role is to assist children of ADF families to make a smooth transition from one school to the next.

The role is a school-based resource available to ADF children and their families providing on the ground face to face support to dependants of ADF members. The aim of the role is to provide a link between the College and the family whilst recognising the unique difficulties faced by mobile Defence families.

The Defence Transition Mentor works with individuals and groups to:

• Support and assist young people and families of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to integrate into the school community
• Create a greater and ongoing awareness within the school community of the needs of young people from ADF families.
  
• Provide support to young people and families during times of absence  from their ADF member
  
• Assist in preparing young people and families to post out to a new location

Activities may include:

• Facilitating a supportive educational environment for ADF mobile families
• Identifying the issues and needs of students and developing and implementing programs and resources to address these issues
• Coordinating appropriate welcoming and farewelling strategies for young people of Australian Defence Force families
• Monitoring students' day to day social and emotional wellbeing
• Facilitating student participation in cultural, sporting, academic and personal development programs
• Linking students to school and community programs
• Providing a point of contact for parents of mobile Australian Defence Force students in the school
• Enhancing the relationship between the school and their Defence community
• Establishing ongoing programs and resources to support the needs of mobile young people beyond the life of the Defence Transition Mentor (Secondary) program.

I look forward to meeting you.  In the meantime, we offer the following helpful contacts for our Defence Families:

• Defence Family Helpline – 1800 624 608
• Defence Community Organisation (DCO), for local events and support: http://www.defence.gov.au/dco/
• Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) – 1800 011 046