A Brief History

Sorrento Primary School, nestled in the coastal town of Sorrento, Victoria, has a storied past deeply intertwined with the educational fabric of the region.

Founded in 1871 as Common School 1090, the school quickly became a vital hub of learning for the community, initially accommodating 30 students aged between 4 and 16 years.

Throughout its evolution, Sorrento Primary has undergone significant growth and transformations to meet the expanding needs of education in the area.

Over the years, the school has witnessed various milestones and developments, such as the construction of new buildings to address overcrowding, the addition of prefabricated structures like the Bristol unit in 1952, and the continuous dedication of teachers and staff to provide quality education to generations of students.

The centenary celebration in 1971 and 150th celebration in 2021 marked special moments in the school’s history, symbolising Sorrento Primary’s commitment to academic excellence and community engagement.

One of the remarkable artifacts that hold significance at Sorrento Primary is the school bell, dating back to 1878, which has a fascinating origin tied to Twofold Bay and its role in alerting whalers.

The restoration of this historic bell in 2018 stands as a testament to the school’s enduring legacy and the shared memories of the staff, students and families who have been part of Sorrento Primary School throughout the years.

Celebrating 150 Years of Education!

$29.00

Celebrate a milestone in education with Sorrento Primary School’s 150th book, showcasing the rich history and vibrant community spirit that defines our institution. Discover stories and memories that have shaped generations of lifelong learners at Sorrento Primary.

Purchase your copy today from our school office!

On Memories of Sorrento Primary...

How delighted we’d be when on hot days our teachers would get us to pack up our schoolbooks, put our bathers on and walk to the beach to spend the afternoon splashing around in the shallows near the Baths.

ANDREA

Someone came up with the idea that every kid should bring along a cake to cut costs. On the day of the camp everyone started arriving and so did the cakes. Seven large cardboard boxes filled with cakes were loaded onto the bus along with the children. We had cake coming out of our ears for the whole camp!

TONY

I was first posted to Sorrento PS in 1985. One funny memory I have is one day I kept a boy after school for talking in class. I went up to the staff room to get a cup of tea. When I came back he had opened the window, jumped out and run home!

HEATHER

Sorrento Primary School is a very special place to me, it represents a large part of my childhood, and I will always remember it as an introduction to life on the Mornington Peninsula. I have many happy memories of playing soccer on the oval with my friends or playing gang-up tiggy with my cohort at lunch times.

ISAO

The children and staff witnessed Neil Armstrong step onto the moon’s surface about lunchtime. The junior school assembled in what was Room 3, (current staff toilets) a small ante room with a very small television installed. The middle school and senior classes were distributed to private homes, close to the school to view this historic event.

PRIVATE

Alone and terrified on that very first day of school in 1956, as there was no kindergarten at Sorrento to prepare me for such a big step. The Prep Teacher, Miss Kiley, was a bit too bossy for me, so before the bell rang to signal the end of play, I escaped quietly down the asphalt drive and home to Mum and Dad. Mum said I could try again another day.

JENNY