Newsletters
Annesley News Issue 221

A triumphant return to the Patchell Building!

The Patchell Building is the most recognisable visual icon of Annesley, sitting proudly on Greenhill Road for well over 100 years. It has however, been idle for the first twelve years of Annesley Junior School’s history, 2012 – 2024. It is a wonderful moment in our history to share with our community today that our renovation of the ground floor of our Patchell Building is complete and as of next week, it will again become learning spaces for Annesley students.

This building was built in 1881 to be used as the ‘Adelaide Eye Infirmary, Queen’s Hospital for General Diseases’. In 1886 it was bought and used by Way College, a school for boys and an extension was built at the Western End to accommodate it’s growing enrolments in 1893.  A decision was made to incorporate Way College with Prince Alfred College in 1903 by the Methodist Church.

Our school’s history with this remarkable building started in 1903, when Methodist Ladies College moved to the site at Wayville, after starting the school’s first classes at a site in Malvern in 1902. At the time of moving in 1903, the school had 103 names on the roll, including twenty nine boarders. The Patchell Building was ultimately named as a tribute to Miss ME Patchell’s seventeen years of service to the school as Headmistress from 1910 onwards.

Through the effort of many, over a number of years, Annesley Junior School’s Masterplan is now complete with the final stages involving the restoration of the Patchell Building. From 2024 onwards, the ground floor of the Patchell Building will become our new Base 6 aswell as an Administration Hub. It is fitting that all Year 6 students at Annesley for years to come will complete their Annesley journey in this historic building and work alongside our administration team, allowing collaboration with our Marketing and Communication, Risk and Compliance, Accounts and Business functions in our school to seek advice and guidance on their Leadership, Cafe and Enterprise projects.

I warmly invite Annesley Families to join me on a walk-through of this newly renovated space in our school next week and offer the following times to do so.

• Tuesday 14 May – 8.45am
• Wednesday 15 May – 8.45am

We will meet at the Bouncing Bean Café and I’ll proudly walk you through this wonderful new space in our school. If neither of these times suit you, then feel free to reach out to make another time or catch me next time you see me on campus.

Jo

Venturing into nature’s classroom, Base 6 students began their Quest Outdoor Classroom Program for Term 2 at Cleland Wildlife Park.

From encountering native wildlife up close to exploring the diverse ecosystems, this program offers a unique opportunity for our students to cultivate a profound appreciation for nature while honing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As they explore the wonders of Cleland Wildlife Park and partner with the rangers that call Cleland home, we’re confident that this program will leave an ever-present mark on their educational journey, inspiring a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation.

Students at Annesley competed in our annual poetry recital competition Monday in Week 1 with students from Base 4, 5 and 6 taking part. Performances were skilful and very entertaining and gave the audience and judges content to ponder upon and lots of laughs too. Our winners are as follows:

• Base 4 – Isabelle
• Base 5 – Alba
• Base 6 – Max

Winners will go on to represent Annesley at the IPSHA competition to be held in June. Special thanks for our judges Gail and Joy, for taking the time and sharing their expertise with our students.

Our Year 5 Netball team last term won their final game against a previously undefeated team to earn Annesley the Premiers medal. Congratulations to our winning team for a stellar season, honing their skills and teamwork under the superb coaching of committed parents Kylie and Nicki.

Term 2 is off and running and we have been busy in Technologies. Reception students have been learning about sequencing and testing Bee-Bots to see how they can move. Years 1 and 2 have been focusing on using digital systems to create their own stories and books. BookCreator app has been very popular and there will be more projects to come. Years 3 and 4 have been learning about digital devices, their parts, and components. We have even begun designing our own digital devices using Maker’s Empire to 3D print prototypes soon. Year 5 and 6 students have begun investigating digital safety and security, taking on the role of an online cyber security expert using Grok Academy. It’s all happening in Technologies and watch this space as more exciting projects are on their way!

Stephen Hafner
Technologies Teacher

We have a uniform at Annesley to create a sense of belonging, identity and equity. It is an expectation that Annesley students are wearing correct Annesley uniform when attending school. As the cooler weather sets in, winter uniform items can be ordered through the Uniform Purchase Form on School Stream and purchases will be delivered to students within three days of ordering. Second-hand uniform items are available in Unify – our student, driven pre-loved uniform shop. This can be accessed any time our Bouncing Bean Café is open:

• 8.15am – 9am each day
• 3pm to 4pm Wednesdays

We welcome donations of pre-loved uniform for Unify to our Front Office anytime.

A reminder to Primary families that supervision for our students is provided from 8.30am on school grounds. Prior to this time, students are not to be left onsite without an adult family member. Our Before School OSHC Service is available to families requiring early supervision from 7.30am to 8.30am. Similarly, staff supervision is provided after school until 3.45pm. OSHC is available to families needing care after school until 6pm.

Harper and Myra in Base 3 have been using their Enterprise time each week to enact their vision for healthy icypole treats to be sold in the Bouncing Bean Café this year. This week, they progressed their Enterprise from to Actioning, with the production of H & M Iceblocks for Base 3 students to purchase after Cross Country this week. Congratulations Harper and Myra!

Our Parent Events Team organised our Mother’s Day Coffee Morning and Raffle as well as the activities that were enjoyed in learning spaces this morning. Each child will bring home their Mother’s Day activities organised by our Parent Event Team to continue at home or share if their Mum/Grandma were unable to join in learning spaces today.

Our grateful thanks to ‘supermums’ Emily Harrison and Eleni Neilson for organising this event at Annesley to help us all celebrate the special role our Mums/Grandmas and Special Friends play in the lives of our students at Annesley.

Base 4 Michelle have been celebrating the incredible work that their mother’s do for them in preparation for Mother’s Day on Sunday. They wanted to share a few thoughts about their mums:

My mum is:
Stella – My mum is kind and is always putting other people first.
Joe – My mum is the best and is always kind to me.
Charlize – My mum is amazing and good at hugs.
Lachie – My mum is kind because she looks after me when I am unwell.
Ella – My mum is the best because she helps other people.
Gus – My mum is super generous and kind.
Sophie – My mum is amazing.
Anda – My mum is the best because she packs me the best lunches.
Josh – My mum loves reading, and I read to her.
Maddie – My mum loves relaxing with family with a cold glass of beer.
Bella – My mum loves going to P!nk concerts.
George – My mum loves to cook, and she gives the best hugs.
Addie – My mum loves me and loves spending time with our family.
Ava – My mum inspires me to be the best version of myself.
Lila – My mum inspires me to try new things and be the best that I can.
Grace – My mum inspires me to do my best.
Cash – My mum inspires me to be kind.
Eva – My mum inspires me to reach for the top and be the very best I can.
Blair – My mum inspires me because she is kind to everyone, and she inspires me to go for Port!

Thank you Mum’s, for everything you do!

Calling all families to donate gently used Annesley uniforms to Unify, our student-led pop-up shop for second-hand uniforms. Your contribution not only promotes sustainability but also helps support many of the school’s initiatives. Your ongoing participation is greatly appreciated and contributes to the continued success of our school community. Donations can be left in the Unify tub located in the Front Office.

Our Bouncing Bean Café and Unify Second-Hand store are open at the following times each week:

Before School: 8.15am – 9am, Everyday
Morning Break: 11.05am – 11.45am, Everyday
Wednesday Afternoons: 3pm – 4pm

We warmly welcome our Grandparents and special friends to join us on the following dates. These special event dates have been planned and integrated into the students learning experiences in each year level. Teaching staff will share more details as these events approach.

ELC:  Wednesday 12th June
Reception: Wednesday 6th November
Year 1: Friday 30 August
Year 2: Thursday 8th August
Year 3: Tuesday 11th June
Year 4: Monday 19th August
Year 5: Thursday 17th October
Year 6: Tuesday 14th May 

Tuesday 14th May: Base 6 Grandparents Day & Special Friends Day
Thursday 23rd May: Mid-Year Rec Orientation Day
Friday 31st May: Reconciliation Action Plan Event (RAP)
Tuesday 11th June: Base 3 Grandparents Day & Special Friends Day
Wednesday 12th June: ELC Grandparents Day and Celebration of Learning
Thursday 13th June: Mid-Year Rec Orientation Day
Wednesday 19th June: ELC Orientation Day
Wednesday 19th June: Year 1 Celebration of Learning
Wednesday 19th June: Year 2 Celebration of Learning
Thursday 20th June: Base 5 Star Wartz Production
Friday 21st June: Mid Year Reception Transition Visit
Wednesday 26th June: ELC Orientation Day
Thursday 27th June: Local Buy Annesley Market
Friday 28th June: Last Day of Term 2

Our website now has a volunteering page under the Community Tab that outlines clearly the process we require our family members to follow to volunteer at Annesley. This process meets legislative requirements in order to keep our children and volunteers safe at Annesley. See more here.