A warm welcome back and best wishes to our returning and new Defence families for a great 2021.  I hope that all our new families settle in quickly and find St Thomas More’s to be a welcoming and friendly community. I hope that everyone had a relaxing summer break.

I will be sending home the St Thomas More’s DSM Support 2021 Forms this week with the eldest child in your families. It is the same form that was sent home last year but I would appreciate you completing it and returning it to me by Friday 12 February 2021 (end of week 2).

Our Deployment Group (craft/Lego sessions) for students with parents away from home will be starting in week 3 on Tuesdays at lunch after eating time. Please let me know if your family has a Defence parent away from home, whether it be deployment, course or exercise and your child would like to attend Deployment Group.

We will also be commencing our regular Thursday craft in the library with all students being able to attend after eating time. We endeavour to have a small craft activity or board games available to keep the students entertained.

The Defence Education Assistance – Tutoring Support is available to Defence students who have moved school as a result of posting (applicable for up to 18 months after moving) and need additional services to help them meet the academic standards of the new school. The application and reimbursement processes for Defence Education Assistance are managed by the Defence Family Helpline and they can be contacted on 1800 624 608. If you would like any further information, I have included a link below which will take you to the DCO website, I am also happy for you to contact me.

https://www.defence.gov.au/DCO/_Master/documents/Factsheets/Education-assistance-tutor.pdf

Please feel welcome to visit me at school or contact me on 6249 8869 or, alternatively, send an email to brenda.galvin@cg.catholic.edu.au

Brenda Galvin
Defence School Mentor