4 December 2024

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

I acknowledge, with deep respect, the traditional custodians of this land, the mumirimina people and pay my respects to Elders past and present, to the Aboriginal people with us today and to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community who continue to care for Country.  I stand for a future that profoundly respects and acknowledges Aboriginal perspectives, culture, language and history.

Our School Values

Our Commitment:  In partnership with community, we provide a welcoming school of choice that inspires and supports all learners to succeed as connected, creative and curious thinkers.

Dear Families

Last night we held the Secondary Presentation Assembly. What a wonderful evening! Sorell School offers a highly diverse range of educational experiences, and it was incredibly rewarding to see and celebrate the students that have excelled in their field. The one thing Sorell doesn’t lack, is talented young people ready to make our school and broader community a better place, and for that, we thank and congratulate our award winners.

Sorell School made a commitment at the beginning of this year to improve the wellbeing and academic outcomes of our students. So, what have we achieved this year?

We are delighted to share some of our achievements for 2024:

• Students feeling loved and safe (School Climate) increased by 4.5% overall.
• Decrease of 12% ‘at risk’ and increase in ‘minimal risk’ by 19% in screening data for 2024.
• PAT reading achievement data has increased.
• PAT maths achievement data has increased.
• Parent Satisfaction Survey shows an increase of 5.8% (70.7%) in overall satisfaction.
• Staff Satisfaction Survey shows an increase of 18.2% (85.5%) in overall satisfaction.
• Students cognitively engaged with learning increased from 64% (2023) to 68.5% (2024).

2024 has been a year of strategic implementation of key priorities: reading, Multiple Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), safeguarding, attendance, and school climate (Engagement for Learning).

In 2025, our strategic action will focus further on:

• Fluency techniques and comprehension strategies K-12.
• Systematic curriculum delivery across the four curriculums (Early Years Framework, Australian Curriculum, VET, and TASC).
• Five key teaching practices (Pedagogical Framework).
• Feedback processes.
• Data-driven decision making.
• Student sense of belonging.

Today, Year 10 students are participating in Jump Start Day. Jump Start supports our students to transition into Year 11. Sorell School is one member of teggana. teggana is a regional partnership that coordinates the subjects, both VET and TASC, being taught between Tasman District, Triabunna District, Rosny College, Bayview Secondary School, Rose Bay High School, Campania District, and Clarence High. The coordination between schools allows for a vast selection of subjects that support retention and attainment of all students.

Year 10 students, throughout the year, complete a transition plan that supports individual pathways. These plans are well-considered documents that guide students in considering appropriate courses to support career choices.

Kelly Dyer
Principal

https://www.facebook.com/SorellSchool
Email: sorell.school@decyp.tas.gov.au
Phone: (03) 6269 1100

Award Recipients -Secondary Presentation 2024

Congratulations to the list of students below, for receiving an award at the Secondary Presentation evening. 

ECE CAMPUS

This term, our Kinder students have made a tremendous contribution to our Early Years assemblies, showing everyone what amazing audience members they are. Their exceptional listening and respectful participation earned them ‘Bumble the Gnome’- the coveted trophy for best audience behaviour.

Adding to the excitement the Kinder students proudly presented their recent artwork inspired by their walks to Sorell Park. Their pieces captured the seasonal changes they’ve observed, from blooming flowers to the golden hues of autumn leaves. We are so pleased to see our Kinder students growing confidence and enthusiasm as they ready themselves for the transition to Prep next year.

To support all students around the upcoming changes, our community lessons are focused on transition and change. Through discussion and activities, they’ve been learning about how changes, like moving into new spaces, can bring exciting opportunities. These lessons have helped build their confidence and adaptability, setting them up for success as they prepare for their next steps in school and beyond.

Teresa Spinks
K-2 Assistant Principal

YEARS 3 – 6 CAMPUS

Students have been working hard and concentrating on improving their learning over the past fortnight This has included some classes attending classroom excursions as a culminating event on classroom learning. All Year 3/4 classes attended Woodbridge Marine Discovery Centre where they classified animals and studied animal adaptations. Most students enjoyed the experience of the touch tank where they were able to hold hermit crabs, sea slugs and sea urchins.

Our Sorell Way competition has continued, and students are continuing to earn points for demonstrating one of our school values of Connection, Responsibility, Courage, Respect and Growth. Our culminating class event for this year is for classes to design and build a class Christmas tree, including decorations, out of paper and cardboard. I eagerly await to see their creations.

Parents and carers please keep an eye out for student end of year reports which will be sent home in week 9 along with class placements for 2025.

Trent Sproule and Jamie Harwood
3-6 Assistant Principals

Champions Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to Bentley Pickrell, Noah Jackson, Will Paul, Matilda Paul and Raiden Olivier for representing Sorell School at the 2024 Champions Swimming Carnival. All students represented the school with pride, displayed great school spirit and applied their best effort at the carnival. Special mention to Raiden Oliver for finishing 2^nd in the Year 4 boys 25m backstroke final and Matilda Paul for finishing 3^rd in the Year 5 girls 25m backstroke final. Well done everyone.

Southern Primary Triathlon Challenge

On Friday 29 November, 16 Sorell School students competed in the Southern Primary Triathlon Challenge.  The school was represented in both the individual and team races.  All students represented the school showing a high level of resilience and courage and we are super proud of their efforts.  A big thank you to all the parents and staff for helping out on the day, to either get students bikes and equipment to the area or to support students to get to their races. 

YEARS 7 – 9 CAMPUS

Students are busily finalising assessment tasks to hand in to their teachers. End of year reports will be coming home with students in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out! Students have also had the opportunity to engage in interactive learning sessions run by Equal Opportunities Tasmania, The Link and Headspace. We are grateful to all providers for engaging with Sorell School to enhance our learning programs.

As the end of the year rolls in, students will have the opportunity to experience the curriculum in their next grade for core classes, ensuring a smooth learning transition into 2025. Also, on 13 December, Year 8 and 9 students will have the opportunity to experience their specialist classes for 2025 by participating in taster sessions in their chosen subjects. This is an exciting time as students start to delve more deeply into their passions and pathways in preparation for their futures. If students have not yet made their specialist selections, they will need to see their Grade Coordinator as soon as possible.

Year 9 students have just returned from a 2-night camp on Maria Island. Whilst there, they worked through a series of challenges to promote team building and critical thinking skills. Whilst immersed in the great outdoors, students were lucky enough to see a range of fauna including wombats and dolphins! I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the staff members who volunteered their time to attend the camp. Without this commitment, extra-curricular events like camps would not occur. Students were over the moon with the camp when they arrived home, albeit a little tired. Great job, Year 9!

Lauren Clements
7-9 Assistant Principal

Year 9 Camp - Maria Island

The Year 9's spent 3 days at Maria Island working on leadership and teamwork. Students were put out of their comfort zones. In classic Tassie weather, the camp had all seasons in one day. We were lucky enough to see dolphins, tassie devils and baby wombats.

Briana Millhouse,
Year 9 AST

YEARS 10 – 12 CAMPUS

Students in Year 9 were fortunate enough to visit Parliament House and spend time sitting in both the lower and upper house. The day involved a networking lunch where members of parliament were available to meet with and discuss a range of issues with students. Our Year 9 representatives did a fantastic job and were excellent ambassadors for both the school and the South East region.

Students in Year 10 have been focused heavily on transition activities and final assessment tasks for 2024! Today the teggana collective is running a jumpstart program in our Trade Training Centre and at Rosny College where students are able to trial their 2025 subject choices. Our students have been experiencing college life and gaining valuable insight into how 2025 will work for them. As we head into the final weeks of schooling, many end of year celebration events will be held for our Year 10 cohort. This will include a beach day, a half day trip around Sorell and the greatly anticipated end of year celebration dinner on Friday 13 December. We wish all our students well as we head into the final weeks of schooling.

Luke Hamilton
10-12 Assistant Principal

Interschool Athletics Carnival

On Friday 22 November, our secondary students proudly represented the school at the Interschool Athletics Carnival held at the Queen's Domain. It was a fantastic day filled with great sportsmanship, team spirit, and outstanding individual performances across numerous events.

A special congratulations to Molly Edmand and Harper Moore for their exceptional efforts in qualifying for the 100m Gift – an incredible achievement! We also want to acknowledge the students who stepped up to fill in for additional events, often competing in more than they were originally scheduled for, demonstrating adaptability and dedication to their team.

Thank you to all the students who made the day so memorable with their enthusiasm and participation. Your hard work and positive attitude were a true testament to the spirit of our school. Well done, everyone!

Statewide Solar Boat Challenge

Andrew Lake our Trade Training Centre - Construction teacher had a great day at the Solar Boat Challenge with some of our Year 9 & 10 students. The students put in a great effort with their boats being quite competitive and lots of learning happened throughout the event. The students conducted themselves well and continued to work on and improve their boats in between each of their races. We left with the Engineering / Design Award for Xavier Brown’s 3D printed boat which received a lot of attention from peers, teachers and mentors. We also left with the students all discussing how they are going to improve their designs for next year. I will definitely call that a win!

STAS 2025 applications now open

Are you eligible for STAS?

If you have a current concession card as listed below, you can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:

• Services Australia – Centrelink Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Pensioner Concession Card
• Department of Veteran Affairs – Pensioner Concession Card

Note: Parents/guardians must have a concession card. STAS does not apply to a student’s concession card.

Hoodies available for students in 2025

We are excited to announce that a Sorell School hoodie will be added to our official uniform in 2025. 

Back to School Uniform Shop Opening Hours for 2025.

Thursday 30th Jan     10am-2pm

Monday 3rd Feb         1pm-5pm

Tuesday 4th Feb        11am-3pm

Wednesday 5th Feb   1pm-5pm

Thursday 6th Feb        3pm-5pm

Located at the side of the secondary school gym.

For more information contact: Julie Cleaver 0408 829-516 – sorellschoolshop@gmail.com

Midway Point Bus Stop Updates

It was recently decided to move the informal bus stop on Third Ave in Midway Point slightly down the road further due to complaints from a resident who advised students had been littering and vandalising their empty property. The move was implemented however we are now receiving further complaints from residents. Unfortunately, this means that we will no longer be able to use the informal stop on Third Ave.

Students are advised to please use the formally approved stops on this route by Department of State Growth marked here on the map, stop 3 (38 Lake Vue Drive) or stop 4 (corner Beach Rd & First Ave).

Please contact Sorell School 6269 1100 or O'Driscoll Coaches 6261 4653 for more information. 

School Calendar of Events