News & Events

Dear Parents,

A sincere thank you for your significant support for our school and staff. The term has progressed well and the small hurdles along the way have been met with a positive mindset. I am really hopeful that we can return to “being normal at school” in Term 3 and that the Crows supporters won’t get too depressed. My prayers are with them.

Resumption of School Activities
From Monday, 20 July 2020, the following listed activities will resume providing government health advice remains as it is:

• Parents/guardians may again enter school grounds for school drop off and/or pick up of their children.
• Community Prayer. The School will continue with the scheduled timetable for Community Prayer. Community Prayer will be held in the Church and parents are invited to join us in prayer.
• School Assemblies. We will hold three assemblies in the De Porres Centre in Term 3 for the students and staff. Video highlights will be available to view.
• School sport competitions start from Week one in Term 3. Auskick will commence on Monday, 27 July – Week 2.
• Catholic Schools Music Festival will be held in Week 10 of Term 3.
• Save the Date - Student Disco: Friday, 25 September (Last day of Term 3)

Please check the School Calendar for other important dates that have been secured for Term 3 - https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=lmosca%40smdps.catholic.edu.au&ctz=Australia/Adelaide

Playgroup at St Martin de Porres School
I am pleased to let you know that our Playgroup is returning in Term 3. Playgroup will commence in Week 1 of term on Tuesday, 21 July at 9.15am.

Building Update
Some building works for you to know…

• The $4m Early Years Classrooms and the refurbishment of the Pit has commenced.
• Class 2TB (previously 2SB) has moved to the Library and the classes of Year 2, 3 and 4RL have had their front doors enclosed. They now enter their rooms via the rear door and will continue to do so for the remainder of the school year.
• The builders huts are onsite and demolition of the pit area will begin during the holidays.
• Spinnaker Circuit Reserve East near the school will be available for parking from Week 1 of Term 3. It is currently being resurfaced to support the overflow and allow parents to park safely on the land.
• The Council has started planning to make Berrima Road one way in 2020. More information to follow.

School Traffic and Parking
Please continue to follow the directions of staff on road/traffic duty. I encourage families to park and walk as a much quicker way of picking up your children. The Werlinga Road approach is working well by waiting your turn near the kerb allows a much better movement of traffic up Berrima Road.

Semester One Reports / Parent Teacher Meetings
Semester One Reports have be sent home today via email. We ask that if you do not receive your child’s report by Monday to please contact the school via email at info@smdps.catholic.edu.au. Please check your Junk Mail.

Below is some information for parents to consider in their conversations about their children’s progress when reading reports.

Parent Teacher meetings will commence in Week 1 of Term 3.

God Bless,
Craig

Things to Consider When Readng Your Child's Report
The format we use here at St Martin’s to indicate your child’s progress from Year 1 to Year 6 is a grading system of A to E. This is a requirement of the Australian Government. The report indicators are in two sections – Achievement Level and Commitment to Learning. Please read the definitions at the start of the report.

Our school report also includes recognition of your child’s growth and a particular character strength that they have expressed to the class community. These are important aspects to highlight in your conversations with your child about the report. 

The teaching and learning staff here at St Martin’s have a very strong desire that their work allows all children to flourish. With this focus in mind here are some ideas to consider when you are reading your child’s report.

Focus on strengths. Do you look for strengths or weaknesses first? The challenge is to focus on strengths even if they are not in the core subjects.

Take into account your child’s effort and attitude to learning. If the report indicates that effort is below standard, then you have something to work on. If your child is putting in the required effort then you cannot ask any more than that, regardless of the grade.

Broaden your focus. Look at the whole picture of your child’s progress as a member of the class and school community. How your child gets along with their peers will influence their wellbeing and happiness. The skills of independence and cooperation are important future orientated skills.

Take note of student self-assessment. Your children are very realistic about their strengths and weaknesses and will give you an honest response about their progress. Take note of their opinions about their performance. 

Talk about strengths first before looking at areas that need improvement. Ask for their opinion on how they are performing and discuss with them their concerns.

Are your expectations of your daughter or son realistic and in line with their ability? Expectations are tricky. If they are too high then children can be turned off learning. Too low and there is nothing to strive for. Pitch your expectations in line with your child’s abilities.

Do you believe that children learn at different rates? There are slow bloomers, late developers and steady as you go children in every classroom. It is best to avoid comparing your child to siblings, your friends’ children and even yourself when you were a child. Look for individual progress.

Are you willing to safeguard your child’s self-esteem rather than deflate it? Self-confidence is a pre-requisite for learning, so be prepared to be as positive and encouraging as possible.

After reports are read and discussed, celebrate your child’s efforts and remind them that they are now on holidays and that you are proud of their efforts.