By now all families will have heard that the official return of face to face learning for students in Prep - 2 students will be Week 2, Monday 12th October, with our Year 3 - 6 students hopefully returning two weeks later on Monday 26th October.

While these new developments are still a few weeks away, it feels like a ray of sunshine in the not too distant horizon. I do know how hard it has been for many families during this recent period of remote and flexible learning and I want you to know that I think you have done an amazing job!

Thank you for hanging in there and demonstrating to your child/ren what motivation, resilience, and creativity looks like. No doubt they have absorbed this during recent months and the example of their key role models will hold them in good stead during future times of uncertainty.

We are certainly not out of the woods yet, and will need to maintain some health and safety protocols for some time to come, but having a clearly defined pathway towards normality is a big relief.

Hence, next term will look different. Some of our school events, practices and routines will stay the same while others will look different. We will endeavour to continue to communicate any changes with you.

What we do know is that some events won't happen. Sadly these include

Year 3/4 Camp to Sovereign Hill, Ballarat
Year 5/6 and Prep Swimming Program
Year 5/6 Camp at Lady Northcote (that had been rescheduled from May)
Whole School Athletics Carnival at Newport Sport Complex

Families who have already prepaid for these events, the value will be credited to next year's Fees and Levies unless you are a family leaving our school, if so, then it will be reimbursed.

Swimming may be refunded for families in Year 1 and 2 if necessary this year, but only by cheque. Otherwise this amount will also be credited to next year's fees and levies. Please contact Debbie in the office before 16th October to organise refunds or if you have any questions.

Other school events such as Year 6 Graduation, SMDP Carols Night, Book Week and SMDP Feast Day will still be held. They may look and feel a bit different but we will not let these important SMDP annual events go by without celebrating.

This week your classroom teacher would have sent home to you via Seesaw a Parent Survey. Your feedback during this Flexible and Remote Learning 2.0 time is important to us. This survey comes from Catholic Education Melbourne, is anonymous, and will contribute to understanding the experience in all Catholic schools as well as SMDP.

The survey needs to be completed by Friday 25th September. Please take time to complete it. Your voice is important to us.

TERM 4 IMPORTANT DATE REMINDERS

WEEK	DATE	ACTION
Wk 1	5th - 9th October	Remote and Flexible Learning for all students at home.
Wk 2	12th - 16th October	Year Prep - 2 Return for onsite learning at school. Year 3 - 6 Continue Remote and Flexible Learning from home.
Wk 3	19th - 23rd October	Year Prep - 2 continue onsite learning at school. Year 3 - 6 Continue Remote and Flexible Learning from home.
Wk 4	26th - 30th October	All students return to school for onsite learning.

Wishing everyone happy holidays. Once again these holidays will look and feel different however I hope you can think of creative ways to enjoy them together.

Keep happy and safe.

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.

2020 School Closure Days

Listed below are our school closure days for 2020. Please note these are student free days. Staff use these days to further develop their learning.

Friday 18th September - Catholic Identity
Friday 23rd October - AFL Grand Final - Public Holiday
Monday 2nd November - Report Writing

These dates may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control.

Upcoming Events

TERM 3

TERM 4