Defence Force Families

We warmly invite Defence Force families to join our school community, where every student is known by name. Our school offers a small but vibrant environment with large, beautiful grounds, including our “Ride the Track” area for outdoor learning and play. We pride ourselves on high expectations for behaviour, a strong sense of community, and high-quality collaborative teaching and planning. We are always happy to meet families, run tours, and support smooth transitions to ensure your child feels settled and confident. Whether you’re new to the area or returning after a posting, your child will thrive academically, socially, and emotionally in a supportive and inclusive setting that truly values every family. 

SCHOOL TRANSITION SUPPORT

Our Education Liaison Officer (ELO) supports Defence families when they are relocating and changing schools. Our ELO has extensive knowledge about the way Araluen delivers education, as well as the unique needs of Defence children.

Our ELO can:

• work with parents, students, and teachers to manage the transition to a new location and school
• link families with special education providers, resources, or support agencies according to their children’s individual needs (including special needs students)
• work with schools to ensure a supportive educational environment and raise awareness of issues facing Defence children

• inform families about the support services available, including financial assistance through the Education Assistance Scheme.

A range of financial support is available to help minimise disruption to schooling caused by posting within Australia. The aim is to provide the student with limited interim assistance to help overcome any immediate difficulties with the child’s education that occurs as a direct result of posting.

Tutoring Support

Defence may reimburse fees for tutoring required to overcome immediate difficulties caused by changing schools. Students may be entitled to reimbursement for an initial 14, 26 or 52 weeks of tutoring in any subject where the gaining school has certified the need and evidence has been provided to support that there has been a decline in grades or that the child is not achieving the expected educational standard. This applies to primary and secondary students, within the first 18 months of starting at the new school.

Please contact the school on 5144 2111 to speak to Karen Smyth - Principal and ELO