Defence Mentor News

Kelly Quigg-Akkersdyk
Defence School Mentor
Kelly.Quigg@education.vic.gov.au

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to the following students in September; Mitchell, Rhianna, Kheila and Wade.

At Seymour College, all defence students who celebrate a birthday each month are recognised:

Secondary School students will receive a canteen voucher.
Primary students will receive a Showcase voucher.

If you’re celebrating your birthday this month, please be sure to come and see me either at Defence Club or in my office at the Wellbeing Centre to collect your voucher.

We hope you all have a wonderful birthday!

Defence Club Tuesday

In Defence Club, students have explored emotions and conversations by making trees decorated with coloured ribbons, each colour representing a different feeling. Others enjoyed card games, drawing, and colouring, creating a relaxed and supportive space for everyone.

We also continued our Poppy Project, with students gluing community-made blue crocheted poppies onto a wooden soldier to honour those affected by PTSD. The soldier will become part of a storytelling display, linking student learning with community remembrance.

Defence Club Thursday

Thursday Defence Club continues to be all about interaction and building friendships. We do this in our cosy little Defence Café style, sharing hot milos, marshmallows, and bickies. It’s always a warm and welcoming space where students can connect, relax, and enjoy time together.

Pipes & Drums – Expression of Interest

Seymour College has been offered the exciting opportunity to start a Pipes & Drums programme, with the long-term goal of forming our very own School Army Band.

This programme would give students the chance to learn either the bagpipes or drums, and in time, perform at significant events such as Vietnam Veterans Day, ANZAC Day, and school ceremonies.

At this stage, we are simply seeking expressions of interest from students who may like to be involved. Final details regarding times, days, and structure will be shared after planning meetings with programme leaders.

If your child is interested, please contact Kelly Quigg, Defence School Mentor, to register their name.

Puckapunyal Cinema Guide - September 2025

Pucka Cinema Guide September 2025.pdf

This is just a friendly reminder to please keep the school updated with any changes to your family circumstances. This might include a change of postal address, upcoming postings, parents being outfield, or any other relevant updates that may affect your child at school. Keeping our school records up to date ensures we can continue to support your family as best as possible. If anything has recently changed, or if changes come up in the future, please contact our school administration to update your details. Thank you so much for your time and support.

Kookaburra Kids

This program is dedicated to supporting the unique needs of children from serving and ex-serving ADF families has been made possible by the Australian Government. For registrations or more information kookaburrakids.org.au, or contact Scott White, the Defence Community Liaison Officer Victoria on 1300 566 525 or email scott.white@kookaburrakids.org.au

https://kookaburrakids.org.au/defence-program/

Defence Special Needs Support Group

Defence works with the Defence Special Needs Support Group http://dsnsg.org.au/ to offer additional assistance to Defence families with a family member with special needs. Offering resources, equipment, services, guidance, and a community of individuals who understand the unique challenges faced by Defence families.puckapunyal@dsnsg.org.au

https://www.dsnsg.org.au/find-a-dsnsg-group/victoria/item/puckapunyal

Open Arms for Health Professionals

Open Arms provides training and support to all our counsellors, to enable the ongoing delivery of high quality mental health assessment and clinical counselling for Australian veterans and their families. Open Arms provides free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, and their families.

https://www.openarms.gov.au/