Defence Force Families

A significant number of students at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School come from families with parents serving in the Australian Defence Force.

To support these families, we have a dedicated Defence School Mentor (DSM) who warmly welcomes new students and helps them settle into both our school and the wider community.

Students participating in an ANZAC day liturgy at St Mary's Primary School Rydalmere

Defence School Mentors are part of the Defence School Mentor Program — an initiative of the Defence Community Organisation. They are found in schools where there are sufficient numbers of students who have a parent serving in the Australian Defence Force.

Our Defence School Mentor's activities include:

Assisting children and families to integrate into the new school and local community

Coordinating welcome and farewell community activities for relocating families

Directing students to programs, services or opportunities that suit their needs

Enhancing awareness and appreciation of the unique Defence lifestyle in schools and communities

Helping students develop self-confidence, self-reliance and resilience

Monitoring the social, emotional and academic wellbeing of Defence students

Providing support to children during times of parental absence

Smoothing the transition between schools and different education systems

Our Defence School Mentor

Mrs Dianne Woods, our Defence School Mentor (DSM), is a valued member of our staff who works closely with families connected to the Australian Defence Force.

Dianne is here to support you and your children as you settle into our school community and is always happy to answer any questions along the way.

You can contact Dianne through the school office on (02) 8844 5700 or via our contact form.

Send us a message

Defence School Mentor Dianne Woods with students in the playground at St Mary's Primary School Rydalmere