Learning and Teaching News

At SMDP we have a teaching and learning statement that we revisit and engage with regularly. It provides us with our collective goals, beliefs and values that guide all our curriculum and decisions and work as educators.

At St Martin de Porres 

We believe in meeting the needs of all students and educators through a developmental and contemporary approach to learning and teaching.

We commit to working collaboratively to ensure learning is personalised and explicit by reflecting on our practise and using evidence to plan purposeful experiences.

We ensure learning and teaching evolves from learners’ needs and interests and promotes critical and creative thinking.

We aspire to educate the whole child and develop lifelong learners who embrace diversity in an ever-changing world.

The final line of our Learning and Teaching pledge is at the heart of all our decision making and action around curriculum provision at St Martin's. 

At SMDP we believe in providing a range of opportunities that nurture and develop the whole person, not just academically, but socially, spiritually and emotionally. 

As a result, we provide six specialist areas for students to participate in. Music, Physical Education, Digital Technologies, Japanese, Sustainability and Visual Arts are taught by expert teachers as stand alone lessons. 

Students have the opportunity to learn Japanese as a Language Other Than English.  In Semester One, Japanese is offered for students in Years Three, Four, Five and Six and in Semester Two, Prep, One and Two classes will learn Japanese. 

Lunch time clubs are offered in Science, Maths, Engineering and Technology (STEM), library and gardening with students' interest in these areas being nurtured through optional participation.

Band and Choir is available to students in Years 3/4/5/6. 

Interschool sport opportunities are provided for Year 5/ 6 students through our membership to Laverton District Primary School Sports Competition and all classes will participate in a 9 day intensive swimming program throughout the year. The Year 1 and 2 students are currently completing their 9 day intensive program at Paul Sadler swim school. 

The Year 5/ 6 and 3/4 students participate in a camping program with the Year ⅚ students heading to Safety Beach in Term 1, week 9 and the Year 3/4 students participating in a long day camp to Sovereign Hill. 

Special moments of grace will be celebrated by Catholic students in Years 3, 4 and 6 when they receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation throughout the year.

All this and we haven't even mentioned the core curriculum from Literacy and Numeracy to Science and History that drives our everyday teaching.

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

Elise Coghlan

Acting and Deputy Principal | Learning and Teaching Leader