Newsletters
Annesley News Issue 225

The Importance of Essential Agreements at Annesley Junior School

At Annesley Junior School, the concepts of belonging and impact are integral to our ethos and educational approach, supporting all students to be ready to learn. Central to fostering an inclusive learning environment are our Essential Agreements, which play a crucial role in creating a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for all.

What Are Essential Agreements?

Essential Agreements are collaboratively developed guidelines that outline the behaviours and attitudes expected within our school community. Created by both staff and students, these agreements are prominently displayed in classrooms and common areas, serving as a constant reminder of our shared commitments.

Why Are They Important?

1. Promoting Inclusion and Respect:

Essential Agreements help us build an inclusive community where every student feels valued and respected. By acknowledging and celebrating diverse backgrounds and perspectives, we create a welcoming environment for all.

2. Guiding Daily Interactions:

These agreements provide a clear framework for how we interact with each other. They are referred to daily during Morning Welcome Circles, where classes discuss focus expectations in relation to the Essential Agreement. This daily practice reinforces positive behaviours and attitudes and encourages individual reflection regarding their behaviours, ensuring consistency and understanding across the school.

3. Supporting Personal and Academic Growth:

By establishing a foundation of expected behaviours, Essential Agreements help create a conducive environment for learning. Students feel safe and supported, allowing them to focus on their personal and academic growth.

4. Encouraging Collaboration and Ownership:

The collaborative development of these agreements ensures that students take ownership of their school environment. When students and teachers identify areas for improvement together in line with the essential agreements,  the resulting expectations are more meaningful and relevant, promoting a sense of responsibility and engagement.

5. Adapting to Developmental Needs:

Each class tailors their expectations aligned with the essential agreements based on the age and stage of development of the students. This flexibility ensures that the agreements are appropriate and effective for every learner, fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere.

The Impact of Essential Agreements

The impact of Essential Agreements extends beyond the classroom. They shape our entire school culture, promoting a sense of belonging and encouraging students to make positive contributions to the school community. By adhering to these agreements, we ensure that Annesley remains a place where everyone can thrive. Essential Agreements are vital in maintaining the harmonious and thriving environment at Annesley Junior School. They reflect our collective commitment to creating a space where every student feels they belong and can make a meaningful impact.

Sharyn Darrell
Director of Primary School

This week we officially celebrated the completion of our Masterplan and the Re-opening of our historic Patchell Building, with our students, staff, parents and invited guests, including the Hon. Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills.

The Patchell Building, built in 1881 has been sitting idle for the first 12 years of Annesley Junior School’s history, 2012 – 2024. It is a joyful moment in the story of our school, to now have a contemporary learning space in the Patchell Building for our senior students. It is fitting that our Year 6 students will complete their schooling journey at Annesley in our most historic building for many years to come in our new Base 6!

Base 3 and Base 5 students have begun their Outdoor Classroom adventures for Term 3. Over the course of the term, each student will experience all that our great state has to offer in a unique, sequential learning program.

Base 3 are exploring their Unit of Inquiry, ‘Life has evolved on Earth and is impacted by changing conditions’ in a real-world context. They will partner with the Adelaide Zoo, Monarto Zoological Park and the Adelaide Botanic Garden to deepen their understandings of this intriguing central idea..

Base 5 made their way to Belair National Park to begin their ‘training’ for their upcoming expedition to Camp Willochra. Over the coming weeks they will develop the necessary skills to be successful on camp. This was all about Mtn Biking and Orienteering.

To foster connections among our current families who are also Old Scholars, the Old Scholars Committee are hosting a special morning tea. We warmly invite as many Old Scholars from our current family community as possible to join us. This invitation extends to mothers, grandparents, aunties, and special friends.

When: Friday, 16th August
Time: 8:45 – 9:30am
Where: Bouncing Bean Cafe/Dining Room

We look forward to seeing you there!

Annesley proudly hosted 43 Chinese students from Chongqing City and their teachers as part of Year 5 student’s involvement in the Human Independence Project.

They joined our students for Budding Lunch, enjoyed ‘Aussie Sports’ clinics organised by our Base 6 students, and mentored our students in their Enterprise projects.

Big thank you to all our students for making our international guests feel so welcome, and to our wonderful staff for ensuring the day was a success. This enriching exchange highlighted the power of cultural connection and global perspectives.

During the school holidays, we learnt that our Uniform Supplier Silver Fleece has unfortunately gone into liquidation. We have secured a new Uniform Supplier who will soon start manufacturing Annesley Uniform items for our students. This does mean however, that there are some current and possible further supply issues for some items and sizes until new stock is available. We thank our community for your patience. If you have any uniform items you are no longer using at home, please consider donating it to Unify for other families to utilise. Donations can be left at the Front Office or Café.

Through recent engagement with the Unley Council, they have confirmed guidelines for our community to follow when using the Kiss ‘n’ Drop zone. Drivers must remain within 3 metres of their car in this zone and can only remain stopped for 2 minutes. If a driver moves further than 3 metres away, the 2 minute period no longer applies. We have had regular inspections from Unley Council of this zone recently. We ask our community members to adhere to these guidelines to avoid getting fined, and to keep our Kiss ‘n’ Drop zone functioning effectively.

Whilst our staff engage in Professional Learning our students are welcome to attend OSHC.

If you require care for your child on this day, please book at place using the Xplor App, just as you would for a Vacation Care booking.

Lauren and her team will have a day of fun experiences to engage the children.

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.

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.

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 

Thursday 8th August: Year 2 Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Monday 19th August: Base 4 Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Friday 23rd August: Book Week Parade
Friday 9th August: 2025 information session
Friday 30th August: Year 1 Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th September: Base 5 Camp
Friday 6th September: Student Free Day
Thursday 12th September: Year 2 production
Monday 16th – Wednesday 18th September: School photos

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.