We are a learning community.
Defence School Mentor
DSM
Leonnie Matthews has been our DSM since February 2020.
Leonnie is a Dependant spouse of a Reservist and former RAAF member. Her knowledge and experience of 36 years of Defence life is handy for her supporting role of our students, their wellbeing and communication and support of her students’ families. Moving to the Katherine Region and wondering what options you have, please feel free to reach out and explore our school as one option for your child’s education.
Our school is set in lush green grounds near the Katherine River, our school community exists of families from Station, farming, essential services , town and block, indigenous and Defence. Please reach out at leonnie.matthews@education.nt.gov.au, 08 8972 1277
"Hi I’m Tamara Blunn, and I have been working at Katherine South for four years. This is our second posting to Katherine, and we would come back for a third posting.
Our four have children attended both Casuarina Street (1st posting) and Katherine South for our current posting. Whilst both schools have their perks, Katherine South has been a family to us. We decided on Katherine South this time as we wanted our children to be a part of the wider Katherine Community and my children have grown in leaps and bounds being in this school. Katherine has been a unique opportunity for our little ones that we couldn’t experience else whereon a posting. We head off to Canberra in 2026 for a whole new world and our children will go with a better knowledge of their country due to being here at KSPS".
"Katherine South Primary School holds a proud, long-standing tradition of supporting enrolments for students from defence families and extends a warm invitation to all defence families who wish to enrol their children in a school with a safe, calm learning environment with academic outcomes in key areas considerably higher than the Northern Territory average. In an isolated area such as Katherine, where there is often a shortfall in specialist supports for students, we can provide a Defence School Mentor, the amazing Miss Leonnie, who has the capability and resources to support students with emotional learning, wellbeing, and emotional intelligence. Miss Leonnie provides expert in-class support, liaising with teachers and advising on the needs of DSM (Defence School Mentor) students, so that all feel supported with the transition to school in an unfamiliar environment. With an array of specialist support services to compliment learning, such as counsellors, occupational therapists, play therapists, speech therapists and others, we are confident that your child will have access to the support they need. With reasonable class sizes and a caring, empathetic team dedicated to providing engaging, fun learning and positive outcomes for students, you are certainly in good hands with Katherine South Primary School. If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you. Please contact the school administration at admin.kathesch@education.nt.gov.au , the principal at chris.errington@education.nt.gov.au or call on 0889721277."