Our Defence School Mentor (DSM) is Amanda Dabala.  Her role within the school is to assist with your child’s transition to Rockingham Beach Primary Campus, making it as smooth as possible.

As DSM, she can assist with any concerns you may have about your child’s/children’s educational, emotional or social needs.The following information outlines the role of a DSM and how it may benefit your child’s transition. Please read it carefully and if she can assist in any way, she will be more than happy to do so.

Amanda is available every Tuesday from 8.00am—3.00pm and Friday and is situated in the Arts Block near the Early Childhood classrooms. Please feel free to contact her at school on (08) 9591 6700 or by email amanda.dabala@education.wa.edu.au

What is a DSM?
A DSM is a Defence School Mentor

What does a DSM do?
A DSM is like an Education Assistant but is employed to assist families as they relocate to a new school.

They may:

• Organise activities which welcome and farewell ADF families and help them settle into the new school community.
• Assist the school with understanding the needs of ADF parents and their children.
• Inform the school and support families if ADF members are deployed.
• Assist families with special needs children.
• Assist families collect work portfolio’s and academic records for the new school.
• Act as a point of contact for ADF families in the new school.

Who does the DSM help?
The DSM helps all Defence children at the school should they seek or require assistance. It is not intended that the DSTA work with one child on a long term basis.

Who needs to know about the DSM?
ADF members, ADF families, teachers and the school community.

Why do we have DSM’s in schools?
Sometimes children have difficulties making new friends and understanding and adjusting to the routines and different ways in the new school. The DSTA will assist the children and family become part of the school community more quickly. They will answer basic questions about the school and link families to the right person to provide assistance.

Is the DSM a teacher?
The DSM is employed as an Education Assistant to provide support. Sometimes they may provide support in the classroom when a child first becomes part of our school community.