Tami Chessell – Year 2 Teacher

Tami Chessell is joining us next week to replace Thea Simpson who will commence Parental Leave in Week 6. Tami is a teacher with 30 years experience, teaching a variety of year levels in a number of roles – Classroom, Specialist, Assistant Deputy Head and also as a Course Coordinator at Tabor College. She has worked at a number of Independent Schools, including Loreto, Concordia, Investigator, Encounter and Sunrise Christian College. She is currently at Southern Vales Christian College and is really excited to join the Annesley community.

Ellen Daniels – 2024 Mid-Year Reception Teacher

Ellen Daniel is starting at Annesley on Wednesday of next week to teach in the 2024 Mid-Year Reception class with Jess Fosdike for the remainder of the year. Monika is taking extended leave to prioritise her health and wellbeing. Ellen is a very experienced Reception teacher, having previously worked at St Michael’s, St Dominic’s Priory, and Rostrevor College. She is returning to teaching after a recent period of parental leave and is excited to join this class and our community.

Michaela Jones – 2025 Mid-Year Reception Teacher

Michaela has been a Reception Teacher since 2011 and has taught at Mark Oliphant College, Greenwith Primary, Amata Anangu School – APY Lands, Karrendi Primary School and as an Early Years Leader at Roxby Downs Area School. She is an Old-Scholar of Annesley College and excited to join our community. Michaela attended our first 2025 Mid-Year Reception class this week, and will join each of the remaining orientation session in Term 2, prior to commencing full-time in Term 3.

Yesterday, our Year 6 students showcased their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit as they pitched their Enterprise ideas to the Patchell Panel and a student audience. Our Year 4-6 Enterprise model challenges students to plan, design, test, establish and run a product or service that fills a need in the community, and, is unique, ethical and sustainable. Their presentations were dynamic and engaging, featuring innovative and exciting proposals. The Patchell Pitch is a pivotal moment in their process as they seek approval to progress with their ideas. The panel of industry experts was thoroughly impressed by the professionalism and passion on display.

The five groups that pitched their Enterprise ideas:

1. Mini Movers
2. Roots of Wellbeing
3. Annesley Yearbook
4. Annesley Keep Cups
5. Bejewelled

Well done to all our young entrepreneurs! Next week 5 more groups will pitch their ideas to the Patchell Panel.

Last week we held our first Annesley House Footy competition. The tournament was a student driven initiative, planned by some of our Board of Directors (Sam, Ted and Harry) and one of our Year 4 Enterprise groups (Jude and Kobe). The students worked with our PE teachers Millie and Zac to agree on a non-tackling format of the game that Year 2-6 students, boys and girls could participate in together. All matches were played with great competitive spirit and sportsmanship. Corinth were our overall winners, defeating Nemea by a single goal in a close fought final.

Congratulations to all who took part.

On Thursday, 15th May, Year 4 welcomed grandparents for a special morning filled with fun and connection. The day began with a gallery walk, where teams looked at photos and tested their knowledge by guessing the names of politicians from Australia and abroad. It was an enjoyable challenge for grandkids and grandparents alike, with some tricky faces thrown in for fun! Next, everyone headed down to the dining hall to share some delicious baked goods. Teams proudly presented their delicious treats, savoring each bite before casting their votes for the tastiest dish. It was a wonderful morning with fun and quality time enjoyed by all.

Year 4 had an incredible excursion to Parliament House and the Centre for Democracy as part of our Unit of Inquiry, How We Organise Ourselves. A highlight of the day was the honour of participating in a service commemorating the 80th memorial of Victory in Europe or V.E. Day, a moment of reflection on the sacrifices made for peace. We were privileged to meet Her Excellency The Honourable Frances Adamson, Governor of South Australia, who graciously took the time to engage with us. We have been writing letters to thank her for generously offering us her time. This experience was both inspiring and reinforced the importance of civic responsibility in democracy.

Annesley’s unique Quest program is designed to grow with our students, offering age appropriate challenges that gently push them beyond their comfort zones. Through these experiences, children build confidence, resilience and a strong sense of achievement.

This term, our Year 2 students have embraced one of life’s most valuable skills, bike riding. Each Tuesday, a colourful stream of bikes and helmets have been arriving at school as students learn and refine their riding abilities ably led by qualified teachers from Ride a Bike Right.

We’ve been absolutely thrilled by the progress made in just the first two weeks. Eight students have proudly removed their training wheels and are now confidently riding with the group. Meanwhile, our more experienced riders have been challenged with advanced skills to further develop their technique and confidence on the bike.

Learning to ride a bike is not only a milestone in childhood but also a lifelong skill that plays a key role in many of our Quest adventures. We are incredibly proud of our young learners and the determination they’ve shown in mastering this new challenge.

Students have been diving into the exciting world of Chemical Science, exploring the fascinating properties of solids, liquids, and gases. One of their favourite experiments has been making oobleck—a mysterious non-Newtonian fluid that behaves like both a solid and a liquid! Through hands-on investigations, they’ve been developing their Science Inquiry skills by asking questions, making predictions, and carefully observing how oobleck reacts to different pressures. Is it a liquid? Is it a solid? It turns out, it’s a bit of both!

To add to the sensory fun, students have also been experimenting with slime—stretching, squishing, and investigating how different materials combine to create a gooey substance. These messy, hands-on experiences allow them to engage all their senses while thinking like real scientists.

Encouraging students to explore messy and sensory science nurtures their natural curiosity and helps them develop critical thinking skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Hands-on investigations allow them to make real-world connections, fostering a deeper understanding of how the world works. Most importantly, science exploration builds confidence in problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity—skills essential for the future innovators and thinkers.

Fish Tank is City of Unley’s flagship youth entrepreneurship program.

In an exciting new development – this year, we are adding a NEW age category for primary aged students from 8 to 12 years to enter and test their business ideas!

Young people aged 8-25 years can apply now for the opportunity to pitch their business idea to win prize money & business mentoring. Visit www.unley.sa.gov.au/fish-tank to apply by 18 May 2025.

We ask our families to refrain from undertaking U-turns on Rose Terrace when bringing your child to school or collecting them at the end of the day. It is unlawful to do a U-turn over the yellow barriers on the road and a safety concern during peak times for our community along Rose Terrace during these busy times.

A reminder to all families that if you have younger children that you have not yet submitted an application form for, that it can be done via this link: https://enrol.annesley.sa.edu.au/application-for-admission/start

An application must be submitted in order for a child to be considered for a place.

If you are not sure if you have submitted an application and wish to check, or for any other questions, please contact Laura in the Student Enrolments Office on 8422 2211 or email enrolments@annesley.sa.edu.au

Through recent engagement with the Unley Council, they have confirmed guidelines for our community to follow when using the Kiss & 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 & 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
Monday and Wednesday Afternoons

Monday 26 May: Year 6 Quest – Cleland Wildlife Park

Monday 26 May: Dare to Become Parenting Workshop

Tuesday 27 May: Year 2 Quest – Ride A Bike Right

Wednesday 28 May: Reconciliation Walk

Wednesday 28 May: Year 5/6 – Life Ed

Thursday 29 May: Year 5/6 – Life Ed

Thursday 29 May: MYR Orientation visits

Thursday 29 May: Unley Town Hall – Reconciliation Week Event

Friday 30 May: Year 6 Wheelchair Rugby

Monday 2 June: Year 6 Quest – Cleland Wildlife Park

Monday 2 June: Dare to Become Parenting Workshop

Tuesday 3 June: Year 2 Quest – Ride A Bike Right

Wednesday 4 June: Dare to Become Parenting Workshop

Wednesday 4 June: Year 6 Quest Forktree Project

Thursday 5 June: Year 2 Sleepover

Thursday 6 June: MYR Orientation visits

Friday 7 June: Year 2 Cubby Building Incursion

Friday 7 June: Year 6 Patchell Pitch

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.