Tomaree Public School is situated in Port Stephens, 28 km from the Williamtown Airforce Base. There are a number of students at Tomaree whose parents are employed in the Australian Defence Force. The school has a Defence School Mentor (DSM) to provide support to the Defence students.
My name is Deborah O'Donoghue and I am the DSM. I am at school 12 hours a week, usually over Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You can contact me via the School office on 4981 1444 or email deborah.odonoghue1@det.nsw.edu.au with any enquiries.
My role as DSM includes:
Act as a point of contact for ADF parents and children new to the school and its community
Assist with the new families with enrolment, even prior to arriving in the area
Provide a link between the families, school and the Defence services
Assist, where possible, with families posted away from our school
Provide individual support for children whose parent is deployed and/or absent on long term courses
Host a Morning Tea for all new Kindergarten parents at the beginning of the school year
Host a Coffee Afternoon each term to maintain contact with spouses and to encourage friendships
Promotes the social group Buddies in the Bay – for new spouses in our area it provides the opportunity to meet other spouses on a regular basis
Inform families of the education assistance scheme.