We are fortunate at Oonoonba
State School
to have a Defence School Mentor. The Defence School Mentor Program provides support to children
of Australian Defence Force (ADF) Members and their families, particularly
during their transition into and out of a school on posting. The program aims to assist the smooth
transition of mobile Australian Defence Force children from school to school
and across the States and Territories.
Why do we have a Defence School Mentor in our school?
The Defence School Transition Aide assists children and parents to
quickly become part of the school community. They answer basic questions about
the school and provide a link from families to the school. They also help build
the school’s long-term capacity to support mobile children and their families.
Children respond differently to relocation and change. Some make a
positive transition into the new school. Others may experience difficulties.
These difficulties may present in changes in behaviour, loss of self-esteem and
diminished academic performance.
What does our Defence School Mentor
do?
A Defence School Mentor is a member of the school team. The
duties of the DSTA may include the following:
- Being a contact for new
parents of mobile ADF children in the school
- Assisting the school and
parents with enrolment procedures
- Introducing ADF parents and
children to the school and its facilities
- Monitoring day to day
children’s personal issues such as friendship
- Acting as a referral point for
cases requiring specialised educational advice
- Supporting individual
children’s needs as required
- Contributing to the school
newsletter items of interest to mobile families
- Providing opportunities for
ADF families to meet other ADF families
It is not intended that the Defence School Mentor work with an
individual child on a long-term basis.
Social Worker
To support Queensland State Schools, the Queensland Government have rolled out a student Wellbeing Workforce. The student Wellbeing Workforce consists of allied health professionals including Psychologists and Social Workers. The Wellbeing staff are able to provide individual support to students with mild to moderate mental health concerns.
The Wellbeing Workforce professionals focus on early intervention to enhance wellbeing and mental health support available to students aiming to support engagement in learning.
The Wellbeing staff can additionally work with students and their families to refer to relevant external agencies and professional suited to their current needs.
As part of the Wellbeing Workforce, the role of the Social Worker might look like individual face to face interventions with children focusing on emotional literacy / regulation, difficulties with feelings such as anxiety, anger and sadness. Social skilling including individual or small groups with a focus on building healthy relationships.
The face to face interactions will be delivered during school hours in an allocated counselling space or an inclusive and culturally suitable location.
This is a consent based service. One on one and group interventions will only be commenced if consent is provided by the child/s caregiver.
The appointed Social worker for Oonooba State School is Miss Tiffany Ehrlich. Tiffany has come with experience as a social worker in the various fields of foster care, drug and alcohol as well as intensive family support intervention.
Tiffany enjoys reading and crochet as well as tending to her many plants.
You can contact Miss Tiffany on 0747 998 333 if you have any further questions about the program or how support may be provided to your child if you request it.