Principal's Message

Welcome Back to Term 3

A warm welcome back to all families. I hope the break offered a chance to switch off, unwind and recharge. Term 3 has always been a favourite for many educators. It’s often described as the premiership quarter in football or netball, that crucial third quarter where teams settle, lift their intensity, and translate all their early work into momentum and results. It’s the point in the game where growth becomes visible and foundations start paying off.

That’s exactly what Term 3 feels like in schools. This is when we see the most growth from our students. The routines established, the relationships built, and the high expectations set in Terms 1 and 2 begin to show through in their learning, confidence and independence.

Term 3 Our Premiership Quarter

Across Terms 1 and 2, our students and staff have done the hard yards, building strong relationships, establishing routines, setting expectations and reflecting on what is working and what needs adjustment. These foundations matter. They create the conditions for students to grow academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally.

This term, we draw on everything learned in Semester 1. Teachers are planning high‑quality learning experiences and students are working toward the goals set during their learning conversations. These goals represent each child’s next steps, clear, achievable markers that guide their progress. A simple check‑in at home can make a meaningful difference. Asking your child how they’re tracking and whether they need support reinforces that learning is a shared partnership.

Learning Conversations

Thank you to all families who attended our three‑way learning conversations last term. Research from the Department of Education shows that when schools and families work together, children become more engaged, achieve more academically and develop stronger social skills.

School Closure Day – Staff Professional Learning (This Friday)

This Friday we have a school closure day as our staff engage in professional learning with educational expert Bron Ryrie Jones. Bron’s work focuses on strengthening explicit and responsive teaching, approaches that help every student make steady, confident progress.

Our staff will be deepening their practice in four key areas:

• Short formative assessment — quick check‑ins during a lesson that help teachers see what students understand in real time.

• Working memory — understanding why students can only hold a small amount of new information at once and how clear, explicit teaching supports learning.

• Teach–Track–Respond cycles — teaching new content clearly, tracking how students are going and responding immediately with the right next step.

• Checking understanding — building a toolkit of ways to check that all students, not just the confident ones, are understanding the learning.

This professional learning supports our commitment to high‑quality teaching and ensures every child receives instruction that is clear, responsive, and grounded in evidence.

Farewell to Sarah – Friday 31 July

Next Friday, 31 July, we will farewell Sarah, who has been a much loved part of our community for the past seven years. Since her arrival, she has brought warmth, humour, kindness and deep professional knowledge to our staff and families. Sarah will be dearly missed, and we are grateful for the many ways she has shaped our school.

We wish her every success and joy as she begins her next exciting chapter.

Looking Ahead

We are excited for the term ahead and committed to “winning the third quarter” together. With strong foundations, clear goals, and a community that works in partnership, Term 3 offers enormous potential for growth and achievement.

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.