31 July 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.

We are thrilled to share the outstanding results from the 2025 NAPLAN assessments, which reflect the incredible growth and achievement of our students across Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. In all literacy domains - reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and punctuation - our students have shown consistent improvement, demonstrating their hard work, resilience, and the unwavering dedication of our teaching staff. These results are a testament to the strength of our learning programs and the nurturing, high-expectation environment we continue to foster at Sorell School.

What is especially exciting is that our Year 3 students performed well above the Australian average in reading (2024 data), a wonderful achievement. Even more impressively, we have defied national trends in Years 7 and 9, with students making significant gains in achievement compared to their 2023 assessments. This progress reinforces the impact of our targeted strategies and our commitment to excellence. Congratulations to all students, staff, and families, this is a proud and inspiring moment for our entire school community.

Some specifics

Year 9 students made a 11.5% gain in reading compared to 2023 data (Year 7 NAPLAN). A 30% gain in writing, a 15.1 % gain in spelling and 27.5% gain in grammar and punctuation.

Year 7 students made a reading gain compared to 2023 data (Year 5 NAPLAN). A 21% gain in writing, a 14.9% gain in spelling and a 19.9% gain in grammar and punctuation.

All year groups are above similar school measure for writing. Our Year 5 students making a 13.6% gain compared to 2023 (Year 3 NAPLAN).

Year 5 students making a 18.8 % gain in grammar and punctuation compared to 2023 data (Year 3 NAPLAN) with our Year 5 students being above similar schools in writing, spelling and grammar and punctuation.

Year 3 students are well above similar schools in all areas with reading above Australian average (2024) in reading, above State (2024) in spelling and grammar and punctuation and above similar schools in writing. Unfortunately, overall Australian and State data for 2025 is not available currently, however we are well and truly above the trend.

Sorell School is committed to ensure every student is highly literate and numerate. We have prioritised this work in our school improvement planning to enable our professional learning sessions, resourcing and collective efforts are dedicated towards this goal. These recent results are extremely rewarding for the hard work of our teachers and students. We look forward to continuing to expand on these.

Winter Fest - Thursday 21 August

We need a little playtime too and Winter Fest is just around the corner. Get ready for a cozy evening with fire pots, delicious food vans, a silent disco, face painting, and so much more.

Don’t forget to pop the date in your calendar. We can’t wait to see our school community come together for this exciting event.

Kelly Dyer
Principal

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

ECE Campus

We have had a very settled and smooth start to the term. Students seem to have had a restful break and they have returned energised and focused, ready to learn. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm carry into both classroom learning and outdoor play.

At the end of last term, each class was allocated a shared bucket of sports equipment, including a variety of different balls. Classes have taken on the responsibility of looking after this equipment and ensuring it is returned after use. The ‘Paddock’ has been full of action with many students playing soccer and footy, while the handball courts remain a favourite spot for friendly matches. Apart from a few balls being stuck in trees, students have been responsible for returning the equipment. This has helped to foster a strong sense of ownership and teamwork across the playground.

Our current ‘Community’ lesson focus is on developing resilience. We are beginning by exploring our individual strengths and how we can use them to contribute positively to a team. Students have been encouraged to reflect on what they each bring to group situations and how they can support one another when faced with challenges.

There is also lots of excitement in the air as we look ahead to some upcoming events. Winter Fest is just around the corner and generating plenty of buzz. We are also looking forward to a visit from St John's who will be holding first aid sessions for children in Kinder to Year 2. Students will learn basic first aid skills and how to help others. Students will also participate in a session held by Bravehearts, an organisation that helps educate children on personal safety in an age appropriate and empowering way. Their focus is on helping children understand their right to feel safe and to speak up if something does not feel right. There will be more information communicated with families via Seesaw and a printed notice.

Our Book Week parade will be held on Tuesday 19 August and is a very exciting event that we hold each year. This year’s Book Week theme is ‘Book an Adventure’.

It is shaping up to be another exciting term of learning, growth, and connection.

Teresa Spinks
K-2 Assistant Principal

Meet the ECE teaching team

Name: Hannah Johnston

Role: Instructional Specialist

How long have you been at Sorell School? 8 years

Tell us something about yourself: I am a serious board game nerd – especially the kind with a little bit of strategy and magic

Year 3–6 Campus

Students have quickly re-engaged with their learning and have settled into their classroom routines in the first week of Term 3. This term there are numerous programs and opportunities for student and families to participate in.

Police Citizen and Youth Club are running a program with selected students with an aim to increase student engagement with their schooling and building stronger relationships with their peers. This program will run for a half day each week until the end of term.  Headspace will also be running a program with classes this term to provide students with strategies to improve their mental health.

In addition to these programs, Year 5-6 students will participate in netball and AFL in the winter sports roster this term. Last Friday, Sorell students travelled to Warrane for the first round of competition. I was impressed with the great sportsmanship and outstanding effort and behaviour by all Sorell students. Our next game will be played against Risdon Vale Primary School at Pembroke Park on Friday 8 August.

A reminder to everyone that Book Week is quickly approaching and we encourage all students to get their costumes ready for the annual book week parade which will be held on Tuesday 19 August. 

Winter Fest is also back this term on Thursday 21 August and students are already busy creating amazing work to display on the evening. Last year’s Winter Fest was sensational and I look forward to this year’s event surpassing it.

Trent Sproule
3-6 Assistant Principal

Year 7–8 Campus

It is so wonderful to be back in the Year 7-8 building, supporting students to be the best they can be. We have hit the ground running this term putting all the preconditions in place to ensure learning can flourish. We are working on doing things the first time we are asked – this will save the slog of repeated questions and wasted time. Please encourage your children to practice this at home too. Practice makes perfect.

This term we are honing in on attendance. There will be a reward for the Year 7 or 8 class that achieves the highest attendance for Term 3. Hopefully a trip out of the school. I will also be offering an incentive for all Year 7 and 8 students who individually attend 95% or above for Term 3. As we know, every school day matters. The best way to improve learning outcomes is to be in class on time, every lesson every day. The teaching team looks forward to supporting students with attendance this term.

It is wonderful to hear about the amazing things students in Year 7 and 8 are doing and achieving out in the community. Most recently, I was made aware that Addison in Year 8 was the recipient of the Archie Green Medal for her contribution to U16 AFL as a player at South East Junior Football Club. The Archie Green Medal recognises a young player who demonstrates exceptional dedication to their team, embodies the values of fair play, and shows outstanding support for their teammates both on and off the field. This award is not just about skill, but about character and the positive influence a player has on their team and the broader football community. The recipient of the Archie Green Medal will exemplify the heart and soul of what it means to be a true team player, carrying forward Archie's legacy in Hobart's junior football community. Congratulations Addison.

Please let me know if there are other great news stories like this about our students in Year 7 and 8. I would like the opportunity to celebrate their achievements and recognise all the amazing things our students are accomplishing in the community.

Lauren Clements 
7-8 Assistant Principal

Meet the Year 7-8 teaching team

Name: John Bennett (JB)

Role: English/HPE Teacher Year 8

How long have you been at Sorell School? I started at Sorell School in 2024

Tell us something about yourself: I have two kids (5 & 7) and l love to surf

Year 9-10 Campus

Term 3 has started off racing. Our students have settled back into their routines quickly, picking up from last term.

Our Year 10's have been working on completing their transition plans for 2026, deciding where they should go and what courses best suit their future pathways. Last week they visited our Year 11-12 campus here at Sorell School and got to hear about the options for VET and TASC courses on offer from our current Year 11-12 teachers. The Year 10 students each had the opportunity to work one on one with a teacher from Rosny College to discuss options, dual enrolments and career paths available at Rosny College. If you are a parent of a Year 10 student and would like any more information around what options are available regarding transitioning into Year 11, please call Sorell School to make an appointment and our Year 11-12 coordinator will get back to you.

Headspace has visited our classes this week to discuss youth mental health and how to access support. Headspace is a national charity that supports young people and their families with mental health or wellbeing issues. They do an amazing job supporting young people. You can access their website at https://headspace.org.au/ for more information. 

Our Year 10’s have a lot of activities as well as their Celebration Dinner coming up in Term 4. For our Year 10 parents and carers, make sure you are connected to Seesaw as all the information around these activities will be posted there. If you don’t have access to Seesaw yet, please call or email the school and they will give your details to the Year 10 coordinator, Bri Millhouse, who will set it up for you.

Jamie Harwood 
9-10 Assistant Principal

Aurora Australis Art

As part of our preparation for Winter Fest, students in Art have been learning about Aurora Australis: also known as the Southern Lights, this natural phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the earth’s atmosphere, creating vibrant colours that dance across the night sky. Students selected 3-4 aurora shades using coloured pencil to blend carefully with light to medium pressure. Next, they filled their ‘sky’ with the 3-4 colour blends, added a simple mountain silhouette to create an Aurora landscape and finally they backed their art onto black card.

Make sure you come and view these amazing art pieces and everything else on Thursday August 21.

Mel Symmons
Art Teacher/Year 9 AST

Year 11–12 Campus

Term 3 has kicked into high gear at the TTC. Year 11-12 students are preparing for their last full term of school and results are fast approaching. There will be a third round of reporting released at the end of August, so students are hard at work to show how far they have come this year and prepare them for the final push.

On Friday 25 July, Year 10 Sorell students came to visit for their Taster Day. This day was to show them all the different options available at Sorell School and how many great opportunities exist close to home. Students went through the Animal Care, Construction, Cookery and Electrotech classes and met the teachers, hearing all about a day in the life of a Year 11-12 student at Sorell School.

I think it is safe to say they all had a lot of fun, checking out goats, tools and even a chance to make themselves a pizza to enjoy.

Brody Walker
11-12 Acting Assistant Principal

Year 11 & 12 in 2026

Are you in Year 11 or 12 in 2026?

VET Course registrations NOW OPEN

Certificate II in Animal Care
Certificate II in Construction Pathways
Certificate II in Cookery
Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
Certificate II in Sustainable Energy (Career Start)

Register your interest using the link:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=xzq-qWAMHkmLO6Mvj0auyC_GMI7VHEZEugAXSRLkLLJUMlJLMFhCVVNBVkxCVDNBMFJEN0laTEZRUC4u

School Calendar of Events

Sorell School Farm - Livestock for Sale

Sorell School Farm has the following livestock for sale

Pygmy Goat Wethers - $200 a pair (must be sold in pairs)

Miniature Cow - Galloway/Hereford Cross - $1000

A PIC is required to purchase

Book Week

Winter Fest - 21 August

After last year's resounding success, we are thrilled to announce that Winter Fest is back. This year promises even more excitement, entertainment and community spirit. Get ready for a celebration that is bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever before.

Most importantly, this is a family event. Students MUST attend the event with a parent or guardian.

Food Vans, Fire Pits, Silent Disco, Art Displays, UV face painting, school band, chess games and plenty more that will provide two hours of fun.

When - Thursday 21 August 2025

Time - 5 – 7pm

Hobart Waterpolo Club