Teaching and Learning News

As we look back on having completed more than half a term of learning, it is exciting to see learners talking about what they are learning as well as describing how they are learning.

Here is a description of the learning at each year level for Term 1. These overviews help parents and families know the topics, content and skills that their children are focused on. 

The overviews also offer some helpful learning at home opportunities as well as some important reminder information.

Swimming Program

This Summer, in the 3 months from December 1st to February 28th sadly there were 20 drowning deaths in Victoria and 86 in Australia.

Water safety and swimming competence is more important than ever.

Development of knowledge and skills relating to survival swimming and basic water safety can significantly reduce a child’s drowning risk and enhance community safety.

This means that schools must ensure that they are implementing a swimming and water safety program that meets the requirements of the curriculum.

At St. Martin's, students in Year 2 & 5 will participate in 9 days of swimming lessons and water safety at Paul Sadler Swimland, Laverton over the next 3 weeks.

We are in negotiation with the venue to accommodate students in Year 3 and 4 in early Term 4 and students in P/1 and Year 6 towards the end of Term 4.

Swimming is a compulsory school program and we have subsidised the cost to keep it as reasonable as possible.

Camping Program

Year 5 and 6 students will head to Safety Beach near Dromana for a 3 day 2 night camp in a couple of weeks time.

This is another important experience in fulfilling our school vision to develop the whole person including their academic, emotional, social, spiritual and physical selves. Students will participate in team challenges, have a stand-up paddle board lesson and do a tree surfing challenge.

In November, the Year 3 and 4 students will head to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat for a 2 day 1 night camp.

The Arts

Music was introduced as a specialist subject this year and already the joyful sound of singing can be heard around the learning streets. Drumming is being taught in some classes and a choir and band have been established. Music accompanies a Visual Arts program that sees students producing quality art pieces as they experience a range of skills and opportunities. 

Ask your children about their learning in the Creative Arts.

Introducing the 2021 SMDP Choir and Band

Baneet, Zohair, Yasmin, Hlina, Emerson, Ian, Nithya, Anika D, Randhir, Navam, Ky, Manu, Amra, Srujan, Tahlia, Madison, Nathan, Maira, Carter, Daksh, Aagam, Aluel, Ella, Anika B and Simrit

Ari, Owen, Ky, Srujan, Aewin, Kiran, Ian and Aahil

Looking forward to creating some fantastic music with this talented bunch! - Jane Padden (LOTE & Music Teacher)

We are excited by the depth of quality learning experiences we offer learners in our SMDP community.

Denise Kelly

Deputy Principal/Learning & Teaching Leader