Principal's Message

As we come to the end of Week 6, I can't believe how quickly the term is moving. Our classrooms have been alive with curiosity, focus and joy. Walking through the school this week reminded me once again of the high-quality learning culture our students and teachers create together each day.

Our Prep students were immersed in hands‑on learning as they explored circles, triangles, squares and rectangles. They were busy making, sorting and describing shapes, confidently identifying features such as sides and corners. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and it was wonderful to see them consolidating new knowledge through play and creation.

In the Art space, our Year 1 students were exploring painting and printing techniques. They learned what printing is and how artists use it, then created their own stencils to produce repeated prints. The room was filled with creativity and pride as students experimented with colour, pattern and design.

As I continued down the learning street, I saw small intervention groups working with focus and confidence. These sessions provide targeted, individualised support, ensuring every learner receives the right level of assistance at the right time. It was a reminder of how personalised our approach is at SMDP.

In the Year 3/4 classrooms, students were deep in scientific thinking. They were hypothesising which objects might repel or attract to magnets, eagerly predicting outcomes before testing their ideas. Their excitement to “be scientists” was wonderful to see. 

The sound of ukuleles drifted from the Music room, where our Year 5 students were practising their chords. Their determination was impressive, I cannot wait to hear them playing in unison later this term.

Over in our new portable classrooms, the Year 2 students were busily publishing their stories on the computers. The rooms were calm and focused; you could hear a pin drop. Students were learning to carefully copy and edit their handwritten drafts, taking great pride in their finished pieces.

Across every space I visited this week, I could see the strong learning culture that defines SMDP. We take the time to know every learner and plan the right next steps and our relationships with students and families are built on trust, care and genuine partnership. In every classroom, explicit, high‑quality teaching was evident through clear instruction, guided practice and independent learning. Our calm routines help students feel safe and ready to learn, while our student‑centred culture encourages curiosity and creativity. 

Seeing this in action made me incredibly proud. The learning at SMDP is purposeful, joyful and reflects our Vision for Instruction, where every student is supported to thrive.

Congratulations Emily 

We are also delighted to share some joyful news with our community. Emily (Year 2E) and her husband, Tim, are expecting a baby in November! Please join us in congratulating them as they prepare for this exciting new chapter. Emily will continue teaching her class until the end of Term 3. We are currently developing a transition plan for Term 4 and will share details with families once everything is finalised. Thank you for your ongoing support as we celebrate this special time with Emily over the coming months.

Warm regards, 

Elise Coghlan

Principal

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. 

 2026 - School Closure Days

Listed below are our school closure days for 2026. 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.