Defence School Mentor (DSM)

The DSM Program makes a difference

Kapooka Public School warmly welcomes Defence families and is committed to supporting them through the work of our Defence School Mentor (DSM), funded by Defence Member and Family Support. The DSM is dedicated to helping students from Defence backgrounds adjust to school life by providing personalised support for their social, emotional, and learning needs. By offering guidance and assistance both inside and outside the classroom, our DSM helps Defence children navigate transitions and develop a sense of belonging within our school.

We appreciate the unique circumstances Defence families encounter and strive to create an environment that is inclusive, supportive, and understanding. At Kapooka Public School, your family is important to us, and we look forward to working alongside you to help your child flourish throughout their time here.

Contact us about our Defence School Mentor program

Dedicated to assisting Defence families and ensuring a seamless transition, we warmly welcome those who have received deployment notifications in our area. If you are interested in enrolling your child in our school community, please contact us to find out more about our Defence School Mentor Program and the support available for you and your child.

What programs does our DSM run?

The Xena Project

Xena, the Educational Assistance Dog, is here at the school two days a week providing support in class and on the playground with students. Xena also works with individual students, as well as group work, including a agility program. Xena has different programs to assist students to strive to achieve their best outcomes. Information and enquiries on Xena’s Programs can be made by an appointment or phone call with the DSM.

Poppy Enrichment Program

Poppy has joined us this  year.  She is encouraging teamwork and problem solving through game play. Challenging the students with tasks, fun and camaraderie in a relaxed environment. Poppy participates in the game play with students along with encouragement and learning strategies gained through animal therapies.

Roam, Rove and Ramble, the DSM Bears

Not a program as such however, a little bear and his rug in a basket goes home with K-2 children (older children when required) to give them a feeling of self-worth, friendship, love and responsibility. Children take one of the bears home on Monday and return on Friday and have adventures with the little bear throughout the week and then write in his diary. Just an activity to cheer people up and may be requested, if needed, from the DSM.

Friendship Groups

This Program will help teach how to make friendships, teach resilience and how to handle change and teach confidence. Speak about the positives and negatives of moving and how to turn a negative feeling into positive ones. Talk about feelings and emotions and to accept that they are all feeling, and everyone has these feelings from time to time. The Friendship Group Programs are varied and run at different times during the year.

Tyler Turtle Program

The Tyler Turtle program is run for 5-6 year olds.  This program focuses on feelings when the serving parent is away and how to stay positive and feel in control of worries and feelings.

Transition to High School

Transitioning program for students in year 6 moving up into high school. Focusing on individual concerns and worries, coping skills and strategies that can be used in times of anxiety.

Pre-Removal Groups

The program will help teach resilience and controlling emotions when leaving one posting to go to another. The students go through the Pre-Removal Program in small groups, once a week for approximately four weeks. This program is aimed at having them prepared for the move and transition that lies ahead.

Deployment or Parental Absence

Supporting children on a weekly basis when a parent is away for a short or long period of time, either in the classroom environment, individual or group work.

Friendship Worx!

This program is designed to challenge students and refresh friendship values. It encourages teamwork, communication, creativity, and problem solving to come together and create a project. Students from years 3 through to 6 will have the benefit of learning dog handling skills and create an agility course together. On the final week, the students will show the results of this challenge to their classmates. A certificate will be presented to each student in the program on the final week.

Friendship Worx Junior

Students from Kindergarten to year 1 will have the benefit of modified friendship values and fun activities each week. This will be tailored to their age and ability. Due to their young age and limited abilities in the younger students this does not include Xena the Therapy Dog.