History:
St Martin de Porres Parish Primary School is situated in the north-western suburb of Avondale Heights approximately 11 kms from the Melbourne GPO.
The Parish of Avondale Heights was originally part of the parish of St Mary’s Ascot Vale/St Margaret’s, Maribyrnong and until the 1950’s was farmland. With the development of housing estates in Avondale Heights, Catholics travelled at first by foot and later by bus to St Margaret’s Maribyrnong for schooling and Sunday mass.
The first church in Avondale Heights commenced construction in 1961 and was completed in June 1962. Father O’Shea celebrated mass on Sundays at St Martin’s and the Parish of Avondale Heights was established in January, 1963. The present church was opened on November 1st, 1987.
In 1964, Father O’Keefe approached the Sisters of the Resurrection in Essendon for assistance in opening a parish school. In 1965, Sister Anastasia began the school on her own with one class. Two new classrooms were built each alternate year to cater for the progression of students into higher grades. This association with the Sisters of the Resurrection continued until the end of 1992 with the departure of Sr. Krystyna.
The first lay principal was appointed in 1978. In 1994 a member of the Augustinian Sisters who reside in the parish was appointed to the school.
Description:
The family structures are 26 one - parent families with the remainder being two - parent families.
Of the 342 families, 61 live outside the parish boundaries. 43% of families have both parents working and 49% have one parent working, 8% have parents who are both unemployed.
12% of children are enrolled in additional educational classes outside the school time, the main one being Chinese, Vietnamese and Greek language schools.
Features:
Integrated curriculum, specialist programs - PE.; inter/intra school sport gr. 5/6.; Performing Arts, Italian, Special needs, English as a second language, library, small research groups.
Networked computers in middle and senior schools; student welfare groups - Caring, highly qualified staff; multi cultural community.