Welcome back to school everyone and a special warm welcome to our new defence families. My name is Haylie Stanhope, your DSM - Defence School Mentor.  I will be keeping everyone up to speed with events and information from DMFS (Defence Member and Family Support) through the school newsletter, so watch this space.

I have worked in this role for a number of years and have enjoyed looking after defence students and their families.  I am available everyday during school hours and can be contacted in person, through the office or by email ...hstanhope@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au

I look forward to meeting our new defence students and families in the next few weeks as well as catching up with our other students and families.......Take Care.

The Defence Member and Family Support  Townsville office would like to welcome our newest staff members to the team:

Family Liaison Officer (part-time) – Kim Lazarevic

Defence Social Worker – Jacqui Belsak

Defence Social Worker – Mary Pearson

Military Support Officer (Army) – MAJ David Long; &

Military Support Officer (RAAF) – SQNLDR Lisa Power

Contact details below:

dmfs.townsville@defence.gove.au 

Nathan Business Centre, 340 Ross River Road, Aitkenvale 4814

Office Hours Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm

Ph: 07 4430 3879

FIND OUT FIRST!

Join our mailing list

Do you know someone who has recently moved to Townsville, or perhaps they have been here a while and may not be on our mailing list?

Why not flick them this e-News so they can scan the QR code at the bottom of this email, and subscribe to receive information about upcoming events and services!

Did you know? DMFS Townsville also have an Eventbrite page. Tickets for events will be uploaded to Eventbrite for registration.

Keep an eye on the page to see what’s happening and to secure your spot at the event.

DMFS social media pages will also share links to upcoming events.

HELLO FROM THE EDLO!

Connecting with your child’s new teacher and school

The start of the 2022 new year will also be the start of a new school for many of our Defence children.  For those children who are not new to our beautiful region, it is highly likely that they will have a new teacher. 

So how do you make strong connections with the new teacher and/or new school? Listed below are a few points that can assist you and your child to have a good start.

• Provide the new teacher and the new school with as much information as you can – your child’s educational progress, issues of concern, etc. Schools prefer to begin the year with as much information as possible to be able to support your child’s learning.
• Keep in contact with your child’s teacher as your child settles in, so that if any problems arise they can be dealt with quickly. Let the teacher know that you welcome contact.
• Get to know your DSM (Defence School Mentor) if there is one at the school. The DSM are there to support your child as they settle into school, and assist them to make new friends. They will also support children at school during times of parental absence from home for service requirements.  So don’t forget to let them know if a parental absence is to occur.
• Email is a popular way to communicate with your child’s teacher. However, keep in mind that teachers rarely find the time during school hours to read emails. As you would be aware, teachers struggle through a school term to maintain work /life balance.
• Pop into the classroom on occasion for a quick visit. Mornings are often hectic for teachers, so keep contact brief. You could, if possible, select a regular day that you collect your child – weekly or fortnightly, so that the teacher knows he/she can catch up with you if needed at that time.
• Attend parent‐teacher events.
• If you have concerns, you should schedule a time to catch up with the teacher, so that you can have a meeting that is not rushed.
• Work together with the school to support your child.  Consider becoming involved in the school community if you can – reading, tuckshop, fund‐raising, P&C, etc. We know that strong connections to friends, school and community build family resilience.
• Encourage your child to get involved in the lunchtime clubs, student council and other activities at school.
• Congratulate your child when they manage the challenges of a new class/school/teacher in a positive way. Children need to learn the skills to deal with adversity, so that they have these skills when they leave home. Adversity is important to shape us as adults, so don’t jump in and always protect your child from negative life experiences. Teach them what to do instead.
• Facilitate the building of friendships if possible. Introducing yourself to the parents of new friends can help to smooth the way.
• During such a big change, try and keep as much of your daily routines the same as possible. An important aspect of settling children into any environment is to make them feel safe and secure. Children take comfort in routines and will feel more secure if mealtime, bedtimes and other important rituals remain unchanged.
• Don’t forget that the Education Assistance Scheme (EAS – PACMAN Vol 2 Chap 8 Part 4) is available to minimise the disruption of a posting, providing assistance with tutoring costs, and some support for students with special needs. Funding for additional tuition is available within the first 18 months of the posting.  Tutoring is funded for 1 hour per week per subject for 14 weeks for those subject in which a child needs support. For more information you can contact the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608, or email the Education team at education.supportprograms@defence.gov.au.

Best wishes for the New Year!

Jessica Stark - Education Liaison Officer (EDLO)

Drive-thru Welcome to Townsville Packs pick-up: Friday 4th February

Even though our 2022 Welcome Expo has been postponed, we’re still eager to Welcome you to our city and region!

The DMFS Townsville team will be handing out Welcome Packs from a drive-thru stand outside in the car-park at the local office in Aitkenvale. You won’t miss the flags and staff armed with our bright orange tote bags.

No need to stop and park, just drive in and we’ll pass you a bag through your car window!

Where: DMFS Townsville office, Nathan Business Centre, 340 Ross River Rd Aitkenvale.

When: 2 sessions - 1) 9.30am - 10.30am & 2) 12pm - 1.30pm

Registration: not required - just drive thru!

For more information or to organise collection at another time, please call us on 07 4430 3879 or email the DMFS Townsville office.

Virtual Trivia Night: Friday 11th February

Get your thinking caps on and join us on the 11^th of February for DMFS Townsville’s first ever virtual trivia night.

There’ll be five rounds filled with a variety of themed questions to get you thinking, and some fast paced challenges to keep you on your toes.

This is a free activity however numbers are limited so register for a spot now by emailing Meagan at dmfs.townsville@defence.gov.au. Meagan will then send you the link to join.

Where: The comfort of your own home

When: Friday 11th February 7:30-9pm.

Cost: Free

Time to Dine - Partner Night Out: Friday 18th February

Meet new friends, catch-up with old ones and if you haven’t already, you’ll meet DMFS Townsville’s Family Liaison Officers, Kim & Meagan.

This is a self-funded activity. Attendees are responsible for the cost of purchasing their own food and drinks.

Where: Riverview Tavern.

When: Friday 18^th February 7:00pm.

Registration: Watch this space - Eventbrite ticket registration details will be sent out in an e-Newsflash in the coming weeks.