Newsletters
Annesley News Issue 227

The role of Education in a Complex World

In a world currently experiencing conflict that is causing extensive human suffering, I reflect upon the role educators play in teaching for the future. Annesley is an IB school because it is a framework for the best research-led teaching practice in primary education, but also because it actively engages students to understand and contribute to a better world.

From the Mission Statement of the International Baccalaureate:

“The IB develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through education that builds intercultural understanding and respect.”

Recently, our Year 5 students hosted visiting students from Chongqing City, China at Annesley, enabling our students to build authentic connection and understanding across cultures.

As part of our Year 5 Enterprise program, our Year 5 students engage in the ‘Human Interdependence Project’, incorporating their Enterprise into a global context. This sees them creating Enterprise projects with not only a global perspective, but also a global audience for mentoring and feedback.

Through the exchange visit in July, three of our Year 5 students earnt the following awards for their contributions when collaborating with other schools in both Adelaide and China, within the Human Interdependence Project.

• Innovation and Creativity Award: Awarded to Elise, Year 5
  Celebrates students who have showcased outstanding creativity, imagination, and innovative thinking throughout the program.
• Collaboration and Teamwork Award: Awarded to Alba, Year 5
  Honours students who have excelled in working collaboratively with peers from different cultural backgrounds, fostering teamwork and mutual respect.
• Resilience and Perseverance Award: Awarded to Indigo, Year 5
  Acknowledges students who have shown remarkable resilience, adaptability, and persistence in overcoming challenges during the program.

We are proud of these young change-makers in our Annesley community!

Jo Rossiter
Principal | Annesley Junior School

This term we have warmly welcomed Chloe Sarakinis to the Annesley Team in the important role of Front Office Administration Officer. Chloe comes to our school with a wealth of experience in Reception and Administration roles predominantly in the automotive industry where she has developed a strength and passion for customer service.  Our community will get to know Chloe well in her front of house role and appreciate her warmth and friendly, helpful nature.

Hello! I’m Eleni Neilson, the newly appointed President of the Annesley Parents Association (APA) Committee. A group of Annesley parents gathered for the AGM on Monday, and we are all excited to build even greater capacity in our community here at our school. At the AGM this week, we chose to support two school community projects with profits gathered from the 2023 Quiz Night.

These include:
– A new honour board for Gillingham Hall to record AJS School Leaders from 2018 to present and into our future (a student-led initiative)
– Purchase of new tools, shed and workbenches for the farm to support Enterprise projects and our new inter-generational farm program.

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited about the fun events and community building that we have in store for Annesley. We can’t wait to work together to make these plans a reality and continue enhancing our vibrant community.

President: Eleni Neilson
Vice-President: Emily Harrison
Treasurer: Allie Jones
Secretary: Harry Harrison
Committee Members:
• Peter Harrison
• David Malovka
• Chelsea Hicks

If you would like to get in touch with Eleni or the APA Committee, please email: apa@annesley.sa.edu.au

We thank Socorro Perrone, our retiring and long-serving treasurer for her service to our community and commitment to supporting an effective handover.

Whilst our staff engage in Professional Learning our Primary students are welcome to attend OSHC. Our ELC will also remain open on this day.

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

Lauren Gibbs is returning from leave and her team will have a day of fun experiences to engage the children.

After spending the last 5 weeks developing and acquiring the skills for the Willochra Expedition, Base 5 students headed to tNunyara Campsite, Belair to gather the last remaining skills for camp.

Students spent a wintery day cooking on Trangias, setting up and packing down tents and discussing the appropriate gear to be packed for camp. Base 5 now have all the skills and information they need to conquer the Willochra Expedition. Watch this space as they head off on Monday next week.

On Monday the Wattle children were able to enjoy the experience of the Farm Barn visit. Many of the children were drawn to the lambs. The children asked thought provoking questions that linked with our current IB PYP unit of inquiry Sharing the planet, where we have been learning about caring for animals within our environment.

Whilst some students were nervous, many encountered their fear and showed resilience by touching, petting, and feeding the animals.

This was a wonderful experience that all children really enjoyed.

This year, Annesley Junior School formed 5 teams of Year 5 and 6 Debaters into the Debating SA competition. Each team participated in 5 evening debates at Adelaide High and Mercedes College during Term 2 and Term 3, honing their skills in writing persuasive speeches, finding research sources, critically analysing each topic, the art of rebuttal, public speaking, teamwork and more.

There were many wins across all our teams and many Annesley students awarded ‘Speaker of the night’. Most importantly, all debating students grew in confidence and skills as the season progressed as a result of their participation in debating.

Our thanks must go to Year 5 Teacher Kim Probin and our Debating Coach Ann Langman for their support of these students during the debating season.

Our Father’s Day morning was a great success! It was wonderful to see so many fathers and special people join us for morning activities in our learning spaces, followed by complimentary coffee and delicious treats at the Bouncing Bean Café. The value you bring to the Annesley community is truly appreciated. Congratulations to all our raffle draw winners. The money raised from this raffle will assist with the purchase of a new industrial dishwasher for the school.

1^st Prize Winner = Tim Middleton
Camping Set from RAA – valued at over $290! (includes Hema Caravan Parks Australia book, rechargeable lantern, soft cooler and director’s chair)

2^nd Prize Winner = Tony Carbone
Carton of beer from Tops Draught kindly donated by Annesley parent Simon Harley

3^rd Prize Winner = Bruce Spangler
Peninsula Providore EVOO tasing gift pack and Picnic Pack kindly donated by Annesley parents Georgie and Rich Burns

Happy Father’s Day to all our families on Sunday!

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.

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 5: Thursday 17th October

Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th September: Base 5 Camp
Friday 6th September: Primary Student Free Day (OSHC and ELC open)
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.