Principal's Message

The Joy of Reading

One of my fondest memories from childhood is reading books at night before bed, a ritual I continued with my daughters for many years. They would never go to sleep until we had read two or three books together. Now that they are teenagers, I miss those moments of shared stories, imagination and connection. Reading aloud was never just about books, it was about slowing down, being present and creating memories.

Since 1945, the Children’s Book Council of Australia has brought children and books together through Book Week. This year’s theme, “Book an Adventure,” captures the extraordinary power of books to transport us to new worlds, ignite imagination and foster personal growth.

Reading is a skill students learn at school, but it is also so much more than that. It is an adventure, a joy and a lifelong gift. We want our learners to develop a deep love of books, so that reading never feels like a task but instead becomes a source of delight, imagination and discovery.

As Jeff Kinney (Author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid) reminds us, “…the brain is like a muscle and if you don’t exercise it by reading and doing creative stuff, it’ll get weak and mushy.” Reading strengthens the mind, fuels creativity and opens endless possibilities.

At SMDP, we are committed to nurturing this love of reading through rich literature, opportunities to act out stories, explicit teaching of foundational skills and encouraging students to choose books that inspire them. I often feel proud when I see our students walking into school with novels tucked under their arms, eager to tell me what they are reading.

Our library, the true hub of our school, is alive with excitement as students explore new stories and characters. There is awe and delight on their faces when they discover a book they have never read before, thrilled to know they can borrow it and take it home.

Reading informs us, excites us and expands our world. Most importantly, it creates bonds between parent and child, teacher and learner, story and reader. This Book Week, let us all be reminded it’s never too early or too late to pick up a book and share the joy of reading.

Pilgrims of Hope

Over the next few weeks in Religious Education, our students will be learning about pilgrimages and taking part in their own journey as pilgrims of hope. A pilgrimage is a special journey people make to grow closer to God. It’s not just about travelling, but about walking with purpose, praying and taking time to think about what is truly important.

Being a pilgrim of hope means looking forward with trust and joy, even when things are difficult. For the Church, it’s a reminder that we are all on a journey together, moving towards God’s love and peace.

In our everyday lives, being a pilgrim of hope means keeping our hearts open, looking for God in the people around us and believing that each step we take can make the world a little brighter.

As our students take part in this learning, may they remind us all to keep walking with faith, sharing kindness and spreading hope wherever we go.

Elise Coghlan

Acting 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. 

2025 - School Closure Days

Listed below are our school closure days for 2025. 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.