The Top Ender Magazine February March 2021 Edition

Defence Health has been providing valuable
health care benefits to Defence families since
1953, so we truly understand the unique
demands on serving families.
The posting period is one of the most demanding
times when families need a little bit of extra support. It
can be a particularly challenging time for young children
- making new friends, getting to know a new teacher
and finding their way in a new school. That’s why
Defence Health is focused on providing support for the
valuable work of Defence School Mentors (DSM).
A New Initiative
Defence Health
Making Connections Matter
DSM, Katie Thornton, came to us earlier this year with
a clever initiative to keep military families connected
within the classroom. Defence Health immediately
jumped on board to support her innovation; the Making
Connections Matter program.
We know that family connection to the classroom is
important and serving families miss out on so many
school highlights that other families take for granted.
Defence Health has supported Katie’s program by
installing webcams to connect absent-from-home ADF
caregivers with their child’s classroom.
The webcams allow caregivers to virtually attend the
classroom for special award presentations,
performances, celebrations and assemblies. They are
also provided with opportunities to engage with their
child’s teacher and friends or discuss the benefits and
challenges of being a Defence family.
Not surprisingly, the students, teachers and
parents have embraced the Making
Connections Matter program. Teachers can
incorporate cultural and geographic
elements of the curriculum, depending on
where a caregiver is deployed. Parents also
get the opportunity to participate in student
conferences and day-to-day classroom
experiences, which helps many Defence
students to feel supported and less
isolated and disconnected from their
caregivers.
Connecting with Our Community
This initiative has also encouraged
opportunities to connect outside of the
classroom too! Cassie Knight, who works
for Defence Health and is also a DSM,
recently facilitated a classroom video call
with a Durack School parent who is
currently deployed to East Timor. During
the call, the deployed parent had a
colleague join in the discussion as her father
was a Vietnam Veteran currently living in
Darwin. Coincidently, Cassie unexpectedly
met the veteran-father at a Veterans’ event
in Darwin the following week - it’s a small
world when we’re all connected!
Since Katie Thornton started her trial
program at Medowie Public School in rural
New South Wales, Defence Health is proud
to have implemented a nationwide program
to schools with Defence School Mentors. If
you would like to implement this valuable
program into your school, please contact
your DSM. It’s true that Making
Connections Matter and everyone benefits
from this fabulous program!
Children at Medowie Public School participate in the trial
Students from Alawa Primary School in Darwin taking delivery of the
webcam supplied by Defence Health
Contact Us
1800 335 425
info@defencehealth.com.au
PO Box 7518, Melbourne
VIC, 3004
34 The Top Ender | Tri-Services Magazine Incorporated FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 35