Defence School Mentor

DSM

"Hi my name is Leonnie Matthews and I am the Defence School Mentor at our fabulous school Katherine South Primary School. This year will be my sixth in the role as DSM. Our picturesque grounds are located on the banks of the Katherine River, near the Katherine hot springs.
Katherine South Primary School offers a diverse education for new and current students. Our students come from all sectors of the greater Katherine Region, from large stations, to small farms, town kids to block kid’s indigenous students Defence students and students from other countries. Our school is culturally diverse giving our students an opportunity to learn diversity.
Our school offers a SWAN {Students With Additional Needs) program, and also have Students from Flinders University undertaking clinical hours, in speech therapy and occupational therapy with identified students.
Katherine South also offers a preschool on our campus, as well as After School and Vacation care that is managed by our school.
Katherine South was the original feeder school for RAAF Base Tindal, when the base first opened in 1988. We have a long association RAAF Base Tindal, and we look forward to a long and continued association. We invite personnel to our school not just for ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies, but for a plethora of events that our school holds.
We are lucky to have had two generations of Defence students come to our school, with Dad being a student in the nineties and his daughter starting her education at our school. We also have grandchildren of serving and ex serving members attending our school.
We have fewer Defence students in our school and this gives me the opportunity to work closely with each Defence Student, building rapports and being able to offer individual support at all times. I am able to support Defence Children in the classroom as well as other activities. I consult with the teachers of Defence Kids and follow up with Parents when the need arises.
Now that I have sparked your curiosity, pop in for a visit and check out our fabulous school.
Warm Regards
Leonnie Matthews Defence School Mentor"

"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."