Meet our Defence School Mentor
At Maitland Christian School, we believe every child is created and deeply loved by God. We are committed to being a community where students are known, cared for, and supported to flourish. For Defence families navigating the unique challenges of military life, this commitment becomes especially important as we seek to provide stability, belonging, and genuine pastoral care through every season of change.
We are proud to have Libby Collyer as our Community Engagement Officer and Defence School Mentor. Libby has over 15 years of experience in school support roles and genuinely loves getting to know students and supporting families. In her role as Defence School Mentor, she understands the unique experiences that come with Defence life, especially during moves and times when a parent is deployed. Libby is passionate about helping students feel connected, supported, and like they truly belong in our school community.
Supporting Our Defence Families
We know that being part of a Defence family can come with its own challenges, like frequent moves, new schools, and time apart during deployments. At Maitland Christian School, we are called to support, love, serve, welcome, care for one another, and because every student is known and valued by God, we walk alongside our Defence families every step of the way.
We work to make each transition into our school as smooth and welcoming as possible, helping students quickly feel at home.
We value every family in our community and are especially thankful for those who serve our country.
How we support our Defence Families
Some of the ways we support our Defence students and their families include:
- Helping students and families settle into school life and the local community
- Keeping an eye on students’ wellbeing, socially, emotionally, and academically
- Providing extra care and support during times of parental absence or deployment
- Encouraging students to grow in confidence, resilience, and independence
- Connecting families with helpful services and community programs
- Creating opportunities for connection through events like morning teas, breakfasts, and BBQs
- Supporting important occasions like ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, helping students reflect on and honour the service of Defence personnel
Through Libby’s care and our supportive school community, we want every Defence student to feel welcomed, understood, and connected from the moment they arrive.