Teaching and Learning 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 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 five specialist areas for students to participate in Music, Physical Education, Digital Technologies (new in 2022), Japanese 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 Prep, One and Two classes and in Semester Two,  Years Three, Four, Five and Six will learn Japanese. 

In Term One students will develop circus skills facilitated by Ben and the experts from Circus Crew as they prepare a performance to entertain you at the end of the term. 

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 and nominated students are part of a weekly drumming circle.

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.

Year 3/4 and 5/6 students participate in a camping program with the Year 3/4s heading to Anglesea and Year 5/6 students having their camp experience at Rowsley.

Special moments of grace will be celebrated by Catholic students in Years 3, 4, 5 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.

Specialist lessons in 2022

Denise Kelly 

Deputy Principal | Learning & Teaching Leader