Principal's Message

This past week has been a rich and meaningful time for our staff, marked by two significant days of professional learning and formation that have deepened both our knowledge and our sense of purpose.

On Thursday, all staff completed a full day of First Aid training. While this is an essential compliance requirement, it is also an important reminder of the responsibility we carry every day to keep our students safe. Being equipped with up to date First Aid knowledge ensures that we are able to respond calmly, confidently, and effectively in any medical situation that may arise at school. It reflects our commitment to maintaining a safe and caring environment for every child.

Friday provided a very different, but equally powerful, learning experience. As a staff, we undertook a spiritual formation day, an opportunity to reflect on the heart of our vocation in Catholic education. We began the day by walking in the footsteps of Saint Mary MacKillop, whose legacy continues to guide and inspire our mission. Mary’s dedication to education, especially for the poor and those in rural communities, reminds us of the impact one person’s faith and courage can have on generations of learners.

We then visited St Patrick’s Cathedral, where we immersed ourselves in the beauty, tradition, and sacred history of our Church. Standing in that space, surrounded by the echoes of prayer and story, gave many of us a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our own sense of purpose.

One of the most moving parts of the day was learning about Dr Sr Mary Glowrey, a woman of remarkable faith, intellect, and service. Born in Victoria in 1887, Mary was a gifted medical doctor who felt a strong call to serve those most in need. She went on to become a religious sister and devoted her life to the people of India, particularly women and children, combining her medical expertise with deep compassion and spiritual devotion. Mary Glowrey established hospitals, trained healthcare workers, and became a pioneer in medical missionary work.

She is now recognised by the Catholic Church as a Servant of God, the first formal step on the path to sainthood. Her life of service, courage, and deep faith is a powerful example to us all, and her story invites us to consider how we, too, can make a difference through our daily actions and choices.

We concluded the day by gathering as a staff for Mass. Fr Binh’s homily offered a beautiful reminder of our shared responsibility to nurture the whole child, not just intellectually, but spiritually and emotionally too. As educators, we walk alongside young people, helping them grow into the fullness of who they are called to be.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It is through our partnership with you that we are able to offer our students a rich and holistic education grounded in faith, care, and community.

Reminder About Illness and Community Wellbeing

As we enter the winter months, we are seeing a noticeable increase in flu and cold cases among both staff and students. We kindly remind all families to keep children at home if they are unwell, especially if they are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or fatigue. Keeping unwell children at home until their symptoms have eased helps protect the health and wellbeing of all members of our school community. 

Thank you for your support and care in keeping everyone safe.

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. 

Parents in Partnership (PIP) Meeting Online - Wednesday, 25th June 2025

Our Parents and Friends committee at SMDP is called PIP - Parents in Partnership.

The purpose of our PIP is to:

• Fundraise for our school

• Build a school community

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 25th, via Google Meet at 6:30pm. Below is the link:

Elise - PIP Meeting Online

Wednesday, June 25 · 6:30 – 7:30pm

Time zone: Australia/Sydney

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/mns-smpw-ype

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 601-526-1002‬ PIN: ‪684 085 677‬#

I invite any mum, dad, guardian or grandparent who is interested to join this meeting. We are always after some new faces. It will only go for an hour.

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.