27 March 2025

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,

As we approach the end of Term 1, it is incredibly rewarding to see the productivity and commitment to learning across the school. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting members of the Grattan Institute, the Secretary of the Department for Education, Children and Young People, and visitors from the United Kingdom. They came to observe and learn about our educational journey and the improvements we are seeing in student learning outcomes.

School Improvement Plan

Our 2025 School Improvement Plan (SIP) outlines two key priorities:

Priority One – Literacy

• Improved reading outcomes

Priority Two – Engagement for Learning

• Sense of belonging
• Attendance
• Safeguarding

In 2024, our reading achievement data showed an increase from Prep to Year 10. This year, we have shifted our goal to focus on improved medium to high growth data, prioritising students progressing at a faster rate than their statewide peers. We are thrilled to see our screening data indicating an improvement in the number of students reaching ‘minimal risk’ and a decrease in those scoring ‘at risk’. This is very exciting, and we look forward to starting our comprehension inquiry as an important element of learning to read and deeply understand texts.

In 2024, our students reported through the Student Wellbeing survey that the school climate had improved. This year, we are focusing on increasing students' sense of belonging. Our students and staff have already started creating a list of ideas to support every student in feeling connected to the school and their year group.

Youth Week

The week starting April 7 is Youth Week, which coincides with the first week of the holidays. As a school, we have several activities planned to celebrate our youth. Each grade from 7 to 12 will participate in a year group challenge to capture what it means to be a youth today. We will also hold a breakfast on the last day of term to celebrate and thank our secondary and senior secondary students.

Respectful Schools

Online safety is a shared responsibility between the community, parents, schools, and students. Sorell School takes the safety of students seriously, including online safety. We encourage families to visit the Department for Education, Children and Young People Tasmania's "Staying Safe Online" portal, which provides helpful information and tips to support your children in staying safe online. The portal has information for families of children aged 5-12 years and young people aged 13-17 years. We also recommend visiting the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner’s official website for invaluable information on keeping safe and advice for parents if cyberbullying occurs.

The DECYP Student Behaviour Management Policy section 6.2 outlines unacceptable behaviour outside of a school environment. If a school is made aware that unacceptable behaviour between students has taken place outside of school and is negatively impacting student learning and/or wellbeing, the school will use restorative practices and principles to minimise the harm. Detention, expulsion, or prohibition must only be applied when unacceptable behaviour occurs in supervised duty locations and during supervised duty hours, or at a school activity.

This clarity is important. Sorell School wants to partner with families to find solutions, but there is a broader family engagement piece that requires open dialogue with children, regular monitoring of online behaviours at home, and reporting if necessary. Sorell School invests significant time and resources to proactively support students in navigating the online world. At Sorell School, we:

• Have a dedicated Health block where online safety is part of the community curriculum and HPE Australian Curriculum
• Provide external provider presentations (Legal Aid, Equal Opportunities Tasmania)
• Implement ICT agreements and mobile phone policies and procedures
• Introduce a QR code to report inappropriate incidents

The online world can be an invaluable resource, but it can also be a harmful and dangerous space. We look forward to working proactively with all families to keep our students positive, safe, and healthy.

Staffing

Next term, I will be taking long service leave. Lauren Clements will be acting Principal during my absence. While I am excited about my adventures next term, I am also eager to see the great progress and advances of the school upon my return at the beginning of Term 3.

Kelly Dyer
Principal

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

ECE Campus

What a wonderful assembly we had in Week 7. Our Year 1-2 presenters did an outstanding job, confidently taking on their roles and continuing to build their skills in speaking and leadership. A highlight of the assembly was our prep students, who delighted the audience with their singing focused on CVC words-those all-important consonant-vowel-consonant words like “dog” and “sat”. The performance was not only fun but also a great way to reinforce their early reading and code-breaking skills.

We also took the opportunity to celebrate the many student's artwork that was featured at the Bream Creek Show. It was wonderful to see their creativity on display as they proudly shared their prize-winning works.

In addition to our assembly, we hosted an informative reading session where many parents attended to learn more about the ways we teach reading here at Sorell School. This session provided valuable insights into our evidence-based approaches and offered practical strategies for parents to support their children’s reading development at home. We appreciate the strong family engagement in fostering a love of reading.

Our community focus continues to be on the value of responsibility. As part of this, each class has been assigned a specific area around our Early Years Campus to care for in our “Adopt-a-Spot” initiative. Throughout the term, students have taken responsibility for maintaining their adopted spaces, ensuring they are clean, tidy, and well cared for. At our End-of-Term Assembly Celebration on Friday 4 April at 12:50pm, classes will proudly present how they have looked after their designated areas and the positive impact they have made.

Teresa Spinks
K-2 Assistant Principal

YEARS 3 – 6 CAMPUS

It has been a busy fortnight in the 3 to 6 spaces. Students from Years 3 to 5 have undergone NAPLAN testing in the areas of Writing, Language Conventions, Reading and Numeracy. Well done to those students involved in the testing.

Our second Sorell Way challenge has just been completed. Classes were asked to create a short video advertisement on why Sorell School is a great school. There were plenty of creative entries, from classes having students taking on the roles of reporters and creating videos backed with music. The Pioneer School, our new facilities, specialist subjects, paddock to plate and Sorell staff were a common theme. I agree with all of these but would add that what makes Sorell great are the students themselves. The way they positively interact with each other, engage with their learning, problem solve, are resilient and always willing to take on new ideas this is why Sorell is a great school.

Students have been given some responsibility and leadership opportunity in Years 5 and 6. Student sport leaders have begun running fitness session for all classes in the 3 to 6 building. These sessions occur 4 times a week and leaders are required to run a small activity for another class. The sessions have been well received by students and staff alike and we have seen great improvement in leadership skills from our leaders.

Goodluck to our students representing our school in the Interschool Athletics Carnival this Friday.

Trent Sproule and Jamie Harwood
3-6 Assistant Principals

YEARS 7 – 8 CAMPUS

This week is a super busy one for Years 7 and 8. By the time you read this, both Years will have embarked on excursions to complement learning programs and build relationships and group cohesion. Year 7 are headed to TMAG, Legacy Park and Bounce. A great opportunity to engage in learning challenges beyond the classroom. Year 8's are heading to Bellerive Beach to engage in outdoor and fishing opportunities to complement their Outdoor Education program. Keep your eyes out for updates on the exciting things students learnt in the next newsletter.

Year 8's will get access to their laptops this week and the new Year 7 laptops are set to arrive in early April. Please ensure you have returned student ICT Agreements, so students get their devices in a timely fashion. Both staff and students are looking forward to using devices to extend learning in all subjects. I would also like to acknowledge Tinka, Addison and Braxton from Year 7 who have volunteered to support our ‘Tidy School’ initiative by helping to keep our grounds in tip top condition. Students were asked to join on a volunteer basis. We are proud of these students for stepping up, they are a real credit to their Year Group and families.

Lauren Clements
7-8 Assistant Principal

Meet the Year 7/8 teaching team

Name: Steve De Lai

Role: Year 8 HASS   

How long have you been at Sorell School? 16 amazing years

Tell us something about yourself: An active member of Sorell football club

YEAR 9 CAMPUS

Students in Year 9 have been focusing on their learning tasks and assessments as we head into the final weeks of term. Students have been delving deeply into the impact that the Industrial Revolution had on child labour and what it would have been like to be a child during this time. In Maths, students have been working on Linear Graphs and finding the gradient, the mid-point and the distance between 2 points. These skills are often used in real life situations in marketing, business, medicine & pharmacy.

It has been fabulous to see most of the Year 9's in full school uniform.  Just a reminder that students must be in full school uniform and any non-school uniform items must be off and away during school hours. 

Many of the students have been enjoying some of our lunchtime activities including Art Club, Chess Club, Pride Club or just quietly spending some time beading or reading in the library. 

We have also had some of our students working with Kai (Aboriginal Education Worker) to develop a Bush Tucker Garden down near the farm. Students have planted Native currants and raspberries, Pigface, Pepperberry and other native species. Students are looking forward to learning about the medicinal and cultural uses of these plants once the garden is fully complete. 

Sonia Marsh
9 Assistant Principal

YEARS 10 – 12 CAMPUS

Students in Year 10 will have the opportunity to head to the South East Jobs and Training Expo. Students will meet with potential employers and discuss opportunities for various industries post school. It’s a great way to reinforce the work being undertaken in our specialist classes, where students are learning a range of new skills and techniques related to the area of study.

Year 11 and 12 students have been out on the road, completing a number of excursions and off site learning opportunities. The Animal Care class was an excellent addition to the Bream Creek Show. We are exceptionally proud of how our young people work with everyone attending the show and offer a hands-on experience for patrons.  The Electrotechnology and Sustainable Energy classes came back abuzz from their recent visit to the Waddamana.  

Luke Hamilton
10-12 Assistant Principal

Paddock to Plate

We are excited to announce that this year we are offering P2P for Year 3-10 students.

Lunches are $3 per day. Simple payment method through the Qkr! App or at Sorell School Admin. 

Available: Monday - Thursday at mina nina krakani

Students who choose to participate can enjoy a healthy, hot lunch. Each meal typically includes a couple of fresh salads to choose from, along with house-made focaccia. Some of the dishes on rotation include Butter Chicken, Moroccan Lamb, Meatball Subs, Lasagne, Bolognese, and Chow Mein Noodles.

The School Lunch Program provides a nutritious, cooked, sit down meal. This can benefit children in many ways, such as encouraging optimal learning, engagement, social skills and connectedness whilst at school. 

 Scott Hutchison
 Hospitality Teacher

Breakfast Club

Sorell School breakfast club is available daily from 8:30am for all students.

Follow the yellow umbrellas and make your way into mina nina krakani. 

Bream Creek Show

Sorell School students from Primary through to Year 10 showcased their artistic talents at the Bream Creek Show’s Hall of Industries, impressing the community with their creativity and skill. Many students received prizes for their outstanding work, reflecting the incredible talent within our school. A special congratulations to Allira Hutchinson, whose stunning painting, Reflections, was awarded ‘Best School Exhibit’- a fantastic achievement! Well done to all our young artists for their hard work and dedication.

The Animal Care students had an amazing time preparing for and working in the Animal Nursery at the Bream Creek Show on Saturday 15 March. It was an incredibly busy day with most students working up to 12 hours on the day. We are so proud of the way they represented our school. The nursery was a great success, both adults and children were excited to see the vast range of animals. As usual the goats were the highlight of the day with an endless line of patrons waiting for a pat. Special thank you to the students involved, Kim Osmond, William Netherton and the Bream Creek Show committee. We appreciate your support.

Uniform Shop

The wait is over!

School Hoodies have arrived, just in time for the cooler mornings.

Opening hours:

Tuesday       3.00pm-5.00pm

Wednesday 8.15am-9:15am

Thursday     3.00pm-5.00pm

Payment is card only - Contact Julie for further details 0408 829 516

School Calendar of Events

Cyber Safety

Term Dates 2025