Principal's Message

What is success? 

I often find myself asking this question after I experience someone doing something that is outside the more narrow, vertical view of academic success like a high NAPLAN or ATAR score. It is when I experience something that leaves me in awe; a performance, achievement or outstanding action. Often the learning involved is hard to measure and impractical to report on.

Recently I saw the musical 'Tina' in Sydney. The lead role of Tina Turner was played by Ruva Ngwenya who attended the Victorian College of the Arts here in Melbourne. She was absolutely amazing.  Ruva won the role just after her 30th birthday. “I’m very, very lucky. I kind of can’t believe it’s me!” Ruva said. She was the first Australian-Zimbabwean to lead a show in Australia.

She had worked hard to eventually win the role and fulfilled it at the highest level.

Mesmorised by her talent,  I couldn't help but think about her primary school experience. 

Did she have a role in her primary school play? 

Did she go on an excursion to the Arts Centre or Playhouse and see herself in some entertaining performance?

Did one or more of her teachers recognise her interest or skill in performing arts and instil a belief that she could do anything if she dreamt big and worked hard?

My very strong belief is that a primary school education must provide students with lots of opportunities to explore their talents, interests and self, and participate in experiences which engage or ignite their passions and unleash their creativity. 

This week 13 students participated in the District Athletics Carnival, all SMDP students participated in tree planting day and 11 representatives for Prep- Year 6 classes met as a student voice committee to have a say about all the good and not so good things happening at school. 

Year 3/4 and a 5/ 6 class began a 9 day intensive swimming program and a Year 6 leader and a Year 5 aspiring leader designed and distributed a Health & Wellbeing survey to all their fellow students to find out about friendships. 

Jane is meeting with a co-script writer to plan the 2024 SMDP musical performance and the choir and band are perfecting their performance of our school song.

Running alongside all of this is our Catholic mission to grow our young learners into good people who will go out into the world and make a difference.

Some Reminders

Please find 20 minutes to complete the MACSSIS survey to provide us with feedback that will help us grow. The survey window closes on Friday September 15th.

Look out for a permission form on OPEROO and a hard copy bought home by your child so they can contribute to a study about engagement in learning at school. Visit the Learning & Teaching page for more information.

Enjoy the break from routine during the two weeks of holidays and we look forward to being back together again on Monday October 2nd for another term of quality learning.

Denise Kelly

Acting Principal | Learning & Teaching Leader

St Martin de Porres Primary School is committed to creating an environment where the safety, well-being, and participation of all children within our care is paramount. 

2023 - School Closure Days

Listed below are our school closure days for 2023. These are student-free days. Staff use these days to develop their learning further and keep informed with current practices and procedures. 

NOTE: These dates may be subject to change that may be outside of our control.