Principal's Message

As we celebrated Mother’s Day on Sunday, I hope you found time to reflect on those influential women in your lives. Research tells us that females rely on and benefit from having same-gender role models more than their male counterparts.

Girls are exposed to many role models, both positive and negative, each and every day. They use these role models as references for whom they will become and whose behaviour they will emulate. Every day I see our students seeking cues about how to behave and girls need to see confident, passionate and accomplished women in order to envision themselves with those qualities.

I am so proud of our women on staff at SMDP. They are the role models to our young girls everyday. They understand this privileged position and are determined to make a difference and strive to guide and shape these young girls. They endeavour to create an environment where our students are allowed to think big, find their passions and dare to be ambitious every day.

When I reflect, it is the bold, fierce, strong and passionate women in my life who have made the biggest difference. The embracing and relentless love of my mum and big sister, my life long female besties, the women I have worked for and now work with and finally my beautiful Kate. 

These women have made me a better person and a better man.

Mother’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the influence and love of these women.

The Mother’s Day celebrations last Thursday and Friday at St. Martin’s are a very special time for our school community to recognise and acknowledge the women in our lives. On Thursday our students enjoyed purchasing the many exciting gifts that were made available from our PIP committee who organised the Mothers’ Day stall. I hope everyone enjoyed their gifts on Sunday morning. 

On Friday, our day started with a delicious Mother’s Day breakfast that was organised by the teachers and enjoyed by over 160 mums and special guests (and students too). After breakfast our mums, grandmas and special people were invited into the church where the Yr 1/2C led us in a prayer celebration.  

A big thank you to our mums, grandmas, aunts and special friends that joined our celebrations last week. 

You are the role models who influence our students everyday. We are truly thankful.

Next PIP Meeting - Wednesday 24th May 

Our next PIP (Parents and Friends) meeting will be a ZOOM online meeting on Wednesday 24th May at 6:30pm.

The agenda for the meeting will include:

• a little bit of learning.
• feedback and evaluation of our Mother's Day Stall and Breakfast.
• planning our next fundraiser in term 3.

I invite any mum, dad, guardian or grandparent who are interested to come and join us online. An invite will be sent out early next week that will explain how to join the meeting.

Farwell to Anne

After 24 years at SMDP our wonderful Anne Sexton has decided to retire at the end of this term. 

Anne started at SMDP in 1999 as a Speech and Music Specialist. From that role she moved into the Reading Recovery teacher position, then into our Literacy Intervention Expert.

Not only has Anne worked, supported and helped so many students over the years she has brought such expertise and joy to our workplace. She has a passionate drive for all students to feel success as well as a wicked sense of humour that makes her such a respected and loved staff member.

On a personal level I will miss our weekly catch ups. I have always valued her advice, viewpoint and friendship.

We wish her luck in her next exciting part of her life journey. 

Warm regards,

Dan Ryan

Principal

St Martin de Porres Primary School is committed to creating an environment where the safety, wellbeing, and participation of all children within our care is paramount. 

2023 - School Closure Days

Listed below are our school closure days for 2023. These are student free days. Staff use these days to further develop their learning and keep informed with current practice and procedures. 

NOTE: These dates may be subject to change that may be outside of our control.