This is an extraordinary event, not just for our schools but for our ADF community and Australia as a whole. We are all striving to be as well informed and prepared for our families and our communities as we can. Unfortunately that information seems to change by the minute and can be quite overwhelming. For our Australian Defence Force families the following information and resources may help keep us up to date in this ever evolving event:

• Defence have a dedicated webpage for ADF personnel and families with information specifically about covid-19 and the ADF’s role in tackling the crisis. The website is https://news.defence.gov.au/national/defence-response-covid-19 and is updated daily.
• Defence Families Australia (DFA) are our family advocates as well as a wealth of information. They have put out a special copy of the Advocate related to the current extraordinary events. You can view it here: Defence Families Australia newsletter
• Defence Community Organisation is still available to provide remote support and advice. Details directly from the website:

The Defence Family Helpline 1800 624 608
The Defence Family Helpline is your first point of call for support, information and connection with your community, including your local DCO team. The Helpline is available 24-7 and is staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists.
You can also email the Helpline on DefenceFamilyHelpline@defence.gov.au and receive a response within 24 hours. 

• As the Defence School Mentor for Campbell I am also available via email to answer questions or provide whatever support I can at  Karyn.heitmann@ed.act.edu.au . We would especially like to hear from you if your circumstances change suddenly due to the virus (deployment/relocation/graduation/call up etc) so that we can provide support to students and families impacted and track any big changes.

It has been heartening to see our community coming together to support each other – whether picking up learning packs for those families who are in isolation, sharing a roll of toilet paper with a neighbour we know is in dire straits, or simply dropping an email through thanking teachers for their efforts to continue to support students! Small acts of kindness (at a sensible distance) can make a big difference to how we all weather this storm.

All of us here at school wish all of our families good health and a speedy return to school. It’s definitely not the same without you!

Your DSM,
Karyn