Learning and Teaching News
Life has been in full swing for the past 9 weeks of Term One and we look forward to our final week of learning.
We have enjoyed a calm and productive start to 2023.
Learning is front and centre at SMDP!
Our Year Five/Six students and teachers experienced a wonderful seaside camp and Interschool sport has become part of Friday learning for our senior students.
Our twelve Year Six student leaders participated in the National Young Leaders Day at the Melbourne Exhibition and Conference Centre. They explored what it means to lead well and listened to a variety of inspirational speakers.
Our Year One/Two students are more than halfway through a nine day intensive swimming program. Their feedback and progress clearly indicates the success of the program and more importantly the life skills of being able to swim and survive are vital to living in our wonderful country, surrounded by sea.
Last week our usual blue uniform was replaced by a sea of orange to highlight Harmony Day. Students took time to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of St Martin's students and families and to explore our similarities and contribution to our school community.
Recently we hosted a reunion barbeque for our 2022 Year Six students. Thirty of the thirty-three Year 6 students from 2022, eagerly shared their experiences of moving to secondary school and enjoyed revisiting their old classrooms, sharing memories and a game of gaga ball.
This week, the Year Five/Six students visited the International Flower and Garden Show in Carlton. They experienced nature at its finest and discovered the impact and opportunities of living in a sustainable world.
Almost as exciting, the Year Six students finally (and after so much patience), received their bomber jackets today. They will be a prized uniform piece for the next three terms.
Our Athletics carnival at Newport Athletics track was a day of colour and excitement. Everyone ran, jumped and threw across a variety of events and represented their house in team spirit and with great sportspersonship.
A notable achievement during Term One includes four students having their artwork featured in the annual Catholic Education Creative Arts Exhibition. We wish to congratulate Manraj in 5/6S who took out MACS 2023 Creative Arts Committee Primary First Place Award for his piece titled Harmony Sydney.
It can be accessed here.
Oliver, Rozelle and Chelsea's pieces were also displayed and can be found under the Australian Inspired heading in the virtual gallery. The link is here.
You may have noticed our advertising boards around Altona which resulted in many visitors to our school during open week to see learning in action. Our Year Five/Six student leaders proudly and competently showed potential families through our learning spaces and around our beautiful outdoor areas.
Throughout each term, we pause to listen to our students, families and staff to gauge how our learning community is travelling. This feedback is invaluable to our progress as an effective school community and is backed by evidence-based research and best practices.
We would be grateful if you could take 10 minutes to complete this short survey.
SMDP Term 1 2023 - Family Feedback Survey
Happy Easter and a restful break to all.
Elise Coghlan
Co-Deputy Principal | Literacy & Numeracy Leader | Visible Learning Leader
Denise Kelly
Co-Deputy Principal | Learning & Teaching Leader