Staff Profile

Sam Norton | Teacher of Health & Physical Education

When did you join The Friends' School? 

At the start of 2015.

What is one good thing that happened for you this year? 

Most of our staff and students know that I love my surf ski racing and surf lifesaving. I’m so glad that I committed to doing some interstate races earlier in the year. My brother and I got to compete in some amazing locations and achieved some good results while the season was still in full swing. I had a ball travelling and I'm pleased that I made the most of it before the pandemic really took hold.

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher? 

I think when I was about 8. My parents are both teachers and seeing Dad as a PE teacher made me love the idea that I could “do sport all day” for a living. As I got older I saw it as a great opportunity to be helping people. I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing others achieve and I think I’m the kind of person who can’t help but offer advice (sometimes, whether people like it or not!).

Where is your favourite place in the world? 

I grew up on the North West Coast and really loved it. I enjoy getting up there regularly to see family and friends. Locally, I love camping at the Bay of Fires in the school holidays. Overseas, I think my favourite place is Hawaii: beautiful beaches, volcanic peaks and I love the way that you can be just 15 minutes out of a major city and really feel remote, just a tiny dot in the middle of the Pacific.

Who is your Hero? 

I don’t really have a hero. I find inspiration from people in all kinds of fields. I admire anyone who has an ambition and goes after it with everything they’ve got. I love reading about successful Tasmanians who took on the world and won — or lost, for that matter. It’s facing the challenge that counts!