Principal's Message

We know winter is here when our mornings are so dark and our days continue to get colder and wetter. We also know it is winter when students and staff absentees increase due to illness.   

This week we have had a number of students away from each class throughout the school. We have also sent a number of students home during the day. 

Many of these students have been away due to gastro but an increasing number with flu and COVID. It's a reminder that both flu and COVID are still in our community and that it is our responsibility to keep students at home if unwell. This will help reduce the further spread of infection to students and staff. 

Over the years, we have become accustomed to dealing with illnesses. Today, the biggest challenge for schools is staff shortages. At SMDP we have always strived to replace staff attending Professional Development (PD) or who are unwell, with Casual Relief Teachers (CRTs). However, the CRT pool available to schools is becoming smaller and smaller. 

These CRTs have either taken on full time teaching positions, become tutors in schools or left the profession. Each time a staff member is away Denise and Elise endeavor to find a replacement, but sometimes this is impossible. Some days the intervention teachers or leadership team may take classes. 

Our last resort is to ‘split’ up a grade into different classes for the day. If your child comes home and tells you that their teacher was away today and they were ‘split’ into another class, it is because we couldn't find anyone to replace their teacher. 

Class teachers will always provide learning for these ‘split’ students when they go into another class. We understand that this is not always ideal however currently it is our last resort option.

As we head towards the last two weeks of term, we look forward to sharing your childs’ achievements and challenges via our Semester One Reports and speaking to you at our Three Way Learning Conversations. 

Keep warm and well. 

Dan Ryan

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. 

2024 - School Closure Days

Listed below are our school closure days for 2024. 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.