24 August 2023

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.

Since our last newsletter a lot has occurred at Sorell School. An External School Review has been held, the Department of Education, Children and Young People Secretary Tim Bullard has been to visit, and Stage 2 of the redevelopment is well underway.

Term 3 is always an exciting term, as we consolidate learning and start to see the impact of student and teacher hard work. As I spend time in classrooms listening and watching students engage in learning, the growth that I hear and see is amazing. Across our school, students are approaching their work with greater confidence and sophistication. Congratulations to all learners.

External School review

A three-day External School Review was conducted week 1 of term 3. The Review took place over three days – Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 July – with one External School Review Leader and three Principal Peer Reviewers. Most teachers who were present on the days of the Review were interviewed, along with non-teaching staff, families, and members of the School Association. The panel visited most classrooms and learning spaces, and met with student groups from across the school, both formally during interviews and informally in the classroom setting.

The Review Team write commendations and recommendations for the school community to celebrate and consider for the next four years of school improvement planning. Please see commendations from the Review.

Commendations:

• The school leadership team have established and are driving an explicit, coherent, and context appropriate school improvement agenda.
• There is wide-spread faith in the current leadership to be able to enact and enable the long-term plans.
• There is an embedded collegial culture where staff value and support each other on a personal and professional level.
• Staff value working collaboratively where they can learn from each other and grow their teaching practice.
• A shared moral imperative to ensure every student is known, valued, and cared for.
• Staff demonstrate an understanding of the importance of positive and caring relationships to enable successful learning.
• The school provides a variety of educational opportunities to support positive engagement at school including Tier 3 and 4 engagement provision, Trade Training Centre, School Farm, Pioneer Village, Big Picture, Paddock to Plate, VET, Breakfast Club, and F1 in Schools.

The Review Team highlighted that there is a lot to celebrate at Sorell School. Staff and students have worked hard to establish a focus on learning. As we embark on the next four years, we have established a wonderful platform to meet the educational needs of all students based on the key strategies that are currently in use.

Below is a snapshot of some evidence that the Review Team heard over the three days:

• “The staff are really amazing; I have had a number of children go through the school and they have received the support they need.”
• “We have the best class and I love coming to school.”
• The clear PLT inquiry process, through analysis of student data, has really flipped the focus to student learning, which has helped me be a more effective teacher and being on-point with what my students need.”

However, our work is not done. We as a team, are committed to continuous improvement and improving outcomes for all students. I look forward to sharing recommendations with you as we start to unpack and implement these.

Staffing

Ashleigh Bonner Assistant Principal 7 – 12 is finishing up today. Ash will be heading back to NSW. We would like to thank Ash for her dedication and commitment to our students. Ash’s impact has been immense. We wish Ash every success and happiness.

Jamie Harwood, joins us as Assistant Principal in the 7 – 12 space. Jamie comes to us with vast leadership experience. We welcome Jamie to Sorell School.

School drop-off can be a challenge. We encourage families to use the drop off zone in the main carpark off Gordon St. The path that directly takes students from the drop off zone to the grade 3 – 6 and Early Years buildings is now open.

We remind families that if you are using the carpark off the corner of Walker and Forcett Street, caution is paramount. We have students crossing near the Trade Training Centre carpark, and jointly use this space with numerous school buses. Please keep clear of bus zones, as these spaces are provided for buses only. We appreciate your adherence to this.

Stage 2 Redevelopment

The old secondary site is receiving a significant makeover. The new Kindergarten to Year 2 classrooms are starting to take shape. As the shell of each classroom is revealed, we can certainly see our students loving the new spaces. Kindergarten, Prep, Year 1 and 2 students will move into these new classrooms beginning of 2024. 

Kelly Dyer – Principal

Email: sorell.school@decyp.tas.gov.au
Phone: (03) 6269 1100

Every School Day Matters

Every school day matters Welcome back for another school year.

Make sure your child goes to school, every day.

Going to school every day gives your child every chance to learn and grow and connect with their mates and teachers. It’s where bright futures start and where they’ll benefit the most.

Get them excited for school.

If you show a positive attitude and excitement towards school, your child will pick up on that. The most common thing we hear from students, of all ages, is that school is where they can:

• spend time with their friends and teachers
• create new and fun experiences
• find their interests
• learn new things
• open up their options – for whatever future they want (whether that’s their dream job or to travel around the world)

Share these positives with your child.

Talk to your child about school

Open up a conversation with your child about what’s happening at school. It will help you to better support their interests and confidence in learning. If you show an interest in school, they’ll know that getting an education is important and valued. Celebrate the milestones Big and small!

Celebrate milestones

Such as making it through the first day or week of school. And remember: all milestones look different. If it’s a big achievement for your child, it’s important to recognise it.

Set up a time to talk to your child’s teacher or principal If you’re struggling to get your child to school, help is available. Please talk to us at school about your situation. We’ll support you, in whatever way we can.

Know when to seek help

There is no weakness in admitting you need help. If your child has completely disengaged with school, and not attending at all, there is support to help you. In the first instance, talk to us at school. For more helpful tips, please check out the Anything can happen website; Anything can happen - Department of Education, Tasmania.

Recent Fundraisers

We have had 3 fundraisers at school recently with all students and staff being involved.

We had our MND fundraisers at the end of Term 2 with everyone wearing their beanie to school. We raised over $630.00.

Early in term 3 we raised $325.00 for Jeans for Genes and recently we wore a splash of red and raised $420.00 for the Salvos.  

Thank you everyone for your participation, your generosity goes a long way.

Breakfast Club Support

A big thank-you for Cole Sorell for their support of our breakfast club!

Coles Sorell will be running a fundraiser for Sorell School Kitchen Garden program in September.

We appreciate everyone’s support for the program.

Primary Art Work

Check out our stunning chalk pastel art piece created by numerous students across the primary classes. A beautiful collection of native birds, they have made themselves right at home. This is displayed in our 3-6 hub space.

Big Picture 2024

Applications will be open soon for Big Picture 2024.

In Big Picture, the focus is on students learning through their own interests and passions; exploring ways to learn outside of school; designing and managing their own learning; fostering independence; and demonstrating the skills and knowledge they have developed in an exhibition at the end of each term.

In Term 3, Grade 8s will have an opportunity to meet current Big Picture students and Advisors and learn about what Big Picture is and how it works. Information and application packs will be available to take home.

Enrolments are limited to 18 students for the Grade 9 2024 class, so interested students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Years 11 & 12 Course Offerings 2024

Uniform Shop

The Uniform shop is currently closed and will re-open Thursday 24^th August.

A reminder it is now located off our foods building ‘mina & nina krakani’.

The usual opening hours are:
Tuesdays: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Wednesdays: 8:15am – 9:15am
Thursdays: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Stayin Well Through Winter!

Winter is slowly coming to an end… Here are some ways to look after yourself for the remainder of Winter and beginning of Spring! 

Healthy Diet: Eating a varied, nutritious diet is a great way to help our bodies stay well. Remember to include 5 serves of vegetables and 2 serves of fruit. Beetroot, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, parsnip, pumpkin and silverbeet are great winter/spring vegetables. Bananas, oranges, mandarins, and kiwi fruit are in season over winter and/or spring too. These are all great natural sources of vitamin C! 

Exercise: this can be admittedly harder during the cooler months but is important to maintain our activity as best as we can. Get outside whenever you can (rug up well if it’s cold!) Be creative with indoor exercise.

Managing stress: Find time to do activities you love and that helps you to relax. Try mindfulness meditations – Smiling Mind is a great app that has lots of meditations/mindfulness ideas to help reduce stress and worries, relax your mind, and improve your resilience. 

Sleep: make sure you’re getting enough sleep, as lack of sleep can affect our immune systems.  Sticking to a regular sleep routine—even on weekends—maintains the timing of the body's internal clock and can help you fall asleep and wake up more easily. 

Keep warm: Wear layers of clothing. Have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day. This is especially important for people with heart or respiratory problems such as asthma. 

Hand washing: This is something that is so important to do, and to continue to teach our children to do. Hand washing is one of the BEST and EASIEST ways to avoid becoming sick. 

Remember to wash your hands:  

• if they’re visibly dirty
• before you eat or prepare food
• after going to the toilet, or changing a nappy
• after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing                                      
• after handling or patting animals
• before and after taking care of someone who is sick
• when you enter and leave school

Keep well and stay warm! 

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