Principal's Message

Last Friday, I attended our Western Principals Network gathering. As part of the session, we were asked to reflect on leaders who inspire us and why. The first person who came to mind was Neale Daniher. As both a Melbourne supporter and someone whose life has been touched by MND, I have always admired his bravery, courage and deep selflessness. His leadership is grounded in optimism, purpose and service, qualities that continue to shape how we lead in schools.

After reading Neale's second book, three of his quotes stayed with me, each connecting strongly to the work we do with our students every day:

“Control the controllables.”  

This message is at the heart of learning. Students can’t control every challenge they face, but they can control their effort, their organisation, their attitude and the way they treat others. In classrooms, we help children focus on the small, daily actions that build confidence and capability. It’s a powerful foundation for students who want to Dream Big,  big dreams grow from consistent habits.

“When life throws you a challenge, you have two options, you can flourish or you can fold.” 

This speaks directly to the learning power of resilience. At school, students practise resilience every day, trying again after a setback, adjusting their approach, asking for help, or persisting when something feels difficult. Flourishing doesn’t mean getting everything right, it means choosing to keep going, learning from mistakes, and growing stronger through challenge. This mindset helps students Dream Big because they know they can navigate the ups and downs of learning.

“Enjoy every day. It’s a gift.”  

This reminds us to notice the joy in learning, the friendships, the creativity, the discoveries and the pride that comes from trying something new. When children feel connected, valued and happy at school, they are more willing to take risks, explore ideas and dream about what’s possible.

These reflections were a timely reminder of the kind of community we are building together, one where children are encouraged to be brave, hopeful and determined.

Celebrating Student Learning

Over the past week, it has been a privilege to read students’ reports and walk through classrooms, seeing the depth of thinking, creativity and effort that has gone into preparing for learning conversations. Our students have shown pride in their work and a growing understanding of themselves as learners. Please make sure you take the time to read your child's report and speak with them about their learning. 

Thank you to our staff for guiding them and to families for the partnership that makes this possible. 

Good News

We congratulate Caoimhe and her family on the arrival of their healthy baby girl, Maya, who was born a month ago weighing 3.75kg. Maya is thriving, and big sister Grace is absolutely loving having a little sister to hug and hold.

Wishing You a Restful Break

As we head into the holidays, I hope every family finds time to rest, reconnect and recharge. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership this last Semester. 

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.