Defence Mentor News

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

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to the following students in August; Sam Q , Xavier, Quinn, Sam W, Alana, Eleanor, Jack and Harrison.

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 Update

It has been a busy and rewarding week in Defence Club. Alongside our regular activities, much of our focus has been on the planning and preparation for the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony in Seymour. Students have been actively involved in discussions and organisation, showing great respect and dedication as we prepared to honour our veterans.

On Thursday, we took some time in Defence Club to celebrate the achievement of reaching this important milestone. It was a chance to reflect on all the hard work, teamwork, and planning that has gone into making this ceremony possible. Students enjoyed the opportunity to come together, share in the excitement, and acknowledge the significance of what we are helping to create for our school and wider community.

Defence Club continues to provide a space where our students not only connect with one another but also develop a deeper understanding of the importance of service, remembrance, and community spirit.

Activities

Tuesdays will continue to be Craft and Games during second break in the library. It’s a great chance for students to get creative, unwind, and connect with others.

Thursdays are our much-loved hot Milo sessions — perfect for warming up and having a chat during these colder months.

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.

School Holiday Program Youth Sub Committee

The PDNC is looking to establish a youth sub-committee to help brainstorm ideas for school holiday programs. We are hoping to find four enthusiastic young people to represent the defence youth community. Their role would be to help organize and create engaging school holiday programs that truly reflect the interests and needs of the youth.

These four youth members would be asked to attend a committee meeting once per school term, where they will work closely with me, the programs coordinator.

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/