Defence School Mentor
Welcome to Thornton Public School!
My name is Yvonne Fletcher, and I have the privilege of being the Defence School Mentor (DSM) for Thornton Public School. I work on a part-time basis and I’m available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A message left at the school office at other times will be passed on to me. My email address is: yvonne.fletcher@det.nsw.edu.au
My role as Defence School Mentor at Thornton Public School covers four areas:
• Provide families with information about the school environment and the support available relevant to their child's development needs.
• Support children to access school based social and emotional support, aligned to school policies.
• Facilitate opportunities for children to build relationships and connections through events and other initiatives.
• Raise awareness amongst the school community about the impacts of the Defence lifestyle on children and families.
To meet the needs of our Defence students I provide support to encourage the smooth transition into and out of our school. The aim is to assist children and their parents to quickly become part of our school and the wider Thornton community.
Welcome and Farewell activities are organised at the beginning and the end of each school year for our ADF families.
Social and emotional support is also provided to our Defence students through social events which occur each term, as well our Defence Buddy Program, RAAFIE the Bear, and our weekly Defence Computer Club.
I also provide a link between families and the right person to give any assistance they may need both within the school and the wider community.
When Defence members are absent from home, I provide support for students to cope with the change in family dynamics. This is achieved through programs such as ADF Equip, regular check ins and social stories, individually created for Defence students.
I also organise commemorative events to help the school and the local community understand the unique lifestyle of ADF families and their children. Our staff are encouraged to undertake the ADF Aware course to assist their understanding of the unique defence lifestyle.
Our school has had an ongoing link to the military since its inception in 1919. Our first school principal was a returned WWI, veteran and many early students went on to serve
in WWII. Our current principal, Mr Stuart Wylie, is also the child of parents who served with the Royal Navy so has the lived experience of being a Defence child.
Thornton is a great place for young families to live. It is a growing community with new estates being built. Conveniently located near the freeway to Sydney, the New England and Pacific Highways to Brisbane. The local railway station takes us east to Newcastle (30 mins) and on to Sydney, west to Maitland and beyond. We are close to Greenhills Shopping Centre, beaches, vineyards and wineries, farms and country air. There is a selection of pre-schools, high schools, university and TAFE, evening colleges, family day care and playgroups. As well as all kinds of sports and cultural activities that you or your children can be involved in.
We look forward to welcoming you to our school.
Defence Bowling Afternoon March 24, 2021
Thornton’s Defence School Mentor, Yvonne Fletcher, in association with Veteran Sport Australia and Bowls Australia organised a combined Bowling Afternoon for Defence families from the Maitland and Port Stephens Area. A great afternoon was enjoyed by the children who undertook some of the activities provided by the Rookie Rollers Program ran by Bowls Australia. Even the adults were given some valuable coaching tips on how to bowl. A sausage sizzle was professional cooked the members of Raymond Terrace Bowling Club. Thank you to Raymond Terrace Bowling Club for hosting the event and Rachel Kerrigan from Veteran Sport and Craig Donaldson from Bowls Australia for organising and supporting our Defence Families.
Defence Welcome BBQ
Today we held our Defence Welcome bring a friend BBQ. Over 200 sausages were cooked by Rotary Rutherford Telarah who are great supporters of our school. The event was sponsored by Thornton Coles who supplied the sausages and the bread. All Defence students were able to bring a friend and enjoy a lunch together. Thankyou to Mrs Fletcher our Defence School Mentor for organising another lovely event for our Defence students.
Defence Students Hot Dog Day
Yesterday Mrs Fletcher, our Defence School Mentor, held a Hot Dog Day for our Defence Students. The aim of the event was to bring out Defence Students together in a social, fun atmosphere to met and play. A huge thank you to Jess and Tiff from Muse Restaurant in the Hunter Valley for helping with the preparation the serving of the food and the clean up.
ANZAC Day & Remembrance Day
