Hello All, my name is Nereda Taylor the new Defence School mentor assigned to Ripley Valley State School.
I worked for Boeing at Amberley RAAF Base for over 10 years. I worked closely with RAAF, Navy and Civilian personnel, I left Boeing in 2006 when I had my daughter. When I returned to work, I decided working with children was my passion. I became a Toddler Sports Coach, a Success Coach, then went onto working with Special needs children and have now been in the Education Department for well over 10years. Which brings me to why I became a Defence Mentor, I can relate to how hard Military life can be at times and the challenges Defence students face.
The four criteria's a Defence School Mentor is responsible for is:
Welcoming new ADF students into the school ensuring a smooth transition from their previous school to RVSS. A bag containing information about the DSM program, school activities, and goodies are given to new students posting in. A Defence Parents Meet and Greet in the first term is also organised.
Integrating new students by providing a Defence Club where they can meet other Defence students within the school. Each term a Defence parent's morning tea is also organised.
Absence Support including activities for students to do help encourage them to be resilient during times of parental absences. Information is also provided to parents who want to access support.
Farewelling students by providing farewell bags to Defence students who are posting out containing a photo frame that can be signed by friends and staff, information on the new school/area the student will be posted to, along with some goodies.
As a Defence School Mentor, I provide Defence students with extra support if they need it, especially if they are posting in or out of schools, finding it tough to fit in to a new school or are dealing with the absence of a loved one due to deployments or exercises. I know it is not an easy times, especially if they are already dealing with the ordinary day to day stuff that makes life hard at times.
I do this by:
- Providing a Club for Defence students to get to know other Defence students in the school.
- Email parents with information regarding
- programs and support services the Defence Community Organisation provides
- information about your child
- feedback on the DSM Service
- keeping ADF parents updated with Defence related events (ANZAC and Remembrance Day)
- Drop-Ins: Students can come and see me anytime in 2023 but only on a Tuesday or Wednesday (2024) for a chat, or even just a bit of time out if they are feeling stressed (Parental absences, posting out, and friendship issues). I sometimes pop into class just to say Hi and to observe how students are interacting in the classroom environment.
- Letting the wider school community know about the Service that is asked of you and your families (Defence News in the School newsletter).
It is my privilege to help make sure that while Defence children are at Ripley Valley State School, they feel supported and valued.
Useful downloads
Curriculum Adaptations.pdf (PDF, 325 KB)
dmfs_managing-your-emotions.pdf (PDF, 435 KB)
Education-assistance-tutor.pdf (PDF, 454 KB)
DEFENCE Families ONLY Mentor Program.pdf (PDF, 260KB)