Newsletters
Annesley News Issue 243

NAPLAN Results 2025

The National Assessment Program of Literacy and Numeracy has been designed for parents, carers and educators to assess if children are meeting numeracy and literacy national standards in the areas of Reading, Numeracy, Spelling, Writing, Grammar & Punctuation, and the effectiveness of teaching and learning in these areas.

NAPLAN results were released to schools in Australia last week. In all 5 areas assessed in both Year 3 and Year 5 at Annesley, our school’s average is within the Proficiency Standard Level of Strong. In all 5 areas assessed in both Year 3 and Year 5, our school’s average is above the national average, with some well above.

Foundational Skills in English and Maths is taught explicitly in learning spaces every day at Annesley. We strive for excellence in these key learning areas through the adoption of best practice pedagogical approaches in the teaching of literacy and numeracy, such as Sounds Write. We personalise learning in these key learning areas through both intervention and highly-able/gifted programs, agile and responsive groupings and a well-resourced Personalised Learning Team.

NAPLAN however provides just one measure of a child’s learning achievement and is just one piece of a bigger picture. A fuller, more meaningful measure of their progress and growth over time emerges through ongoing assessments in Literacy and Numeracy conducted throughout their primary schooling at Annesley. The culmination of this range of assessments is reflected by our teachers in your child/ren’s Semester Reports.

Whilst it has its place, NAPLAN certainly does not capture the full range of learning happening in Australian schools, nor can results be effectively compared across schools in Australia because of the different cohorts of students in each context. There are also many other measures and ingredients to success, well beyond NAPLAN results.

This year, Annesley Junior School is proud to participate in the Bullying No Way: National Week of Action, taking place from 11 to 15 August 2025.

Bullying No Way Week is a nationwide initiative supported by thousands of schools and communities. It’s a powerful opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to bullying prevention and to foster meaningful connections among students, staff, and families. Together, we can implement practical strategies to create a safe and respectful environment for all.

The theme for this year is:
Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up.

Throughout the week, students will engage in thoughtful discussions and activities designed to promote empathy, understanding, and respect for diversity. We believe that it takes a whole community to bravely address bullying—both within and beyond the school gates.

To launch the week, we warmly invite parents to join us for a special morning event:

Monday, 11 August: Coffee in the Dining Room with Your Child – 8:15am

During this time, we encourage you to share a personal story with your child—about a moment when you spoke up for yourself or someone else, either as a child or an adult. These conversations help build trust and show children that they are not alone in navigating human interactions.

Families may also be invited to share their stories as part of an upcoming Annesley podcast, helping to inspire and connect our wider community.

We’ll also be taking photos in front of the Annesley Dare to Become sign, with families holding the official Bullying No Way school badge to show your support and commitment to addressing bullying behaviours.

At 8:30am, once children head to class, families are invited to stay for a presentation by Amber Owen—founder, Principal Clinical Psychologist, and author. Amber will share practical strategies grounded in psychological insights to enhance wellbeing and strengthen relationships.

Let’s stand together to be bold, be kind, and speak up

Restoration works are well underway on our two historic buildings at Annesley, evident by the extensive scaffolding erected on nearly all sides currently and all the way up high! We are pleased to be partnering with HSR Builders, a speciality South Australian heritage construction company to undertake these restoration works to protect and enhance Annesley’s much-loved buildings.

Currently, Gillingham Hall is undergoing both internal and external restoration work and the Patchell Building restoration work is occurring externally.

We are hopeful that we will regain access to Gillingham Hall in September and our Assemblies, Chapel services and performances can be held in our magnificent hall once again. Restoration works to the external areas of Gillingham Hall should be completed by the end of Term 3, and external Patchell Building restoration works are due to be completed before the end of the year.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Annesley College Foundation which is generously funding much of this important restoration work.

During our recent holiday break, members of our ELC team attended the Reggio Emilia Conference – Landscapes of Collaboration: New possibilities for education in complex times.

Keynote speakers from Reggio Emilia, Italy, along with Australian educators, presented on how early childhood education can shape the culture of our society with educational collaboration driving change.  Our team was immersed in three days of inspirational provocations, opportunities to reflect on our practice and collaborate in areas of transformation.

Our youngest learners are in good hands!

Specialist Showcase
Much of the learning our students are most proud of—and many of their passions and strengths—lie within Specialist subject areas.

To celebrate and share with you their learning in specialist subject area, we will host Specialist Showcase events for each year level, these will take the form of Student Led Learning Tours.

Tuesday Week 4 – 12th August – Specialist Showcase

• Year 2: 3:40pm-4:10pm
• Year 3: 4:10pm-4:40pm

Monday Week 6. 25th August – Specialist Showcase

• Year 4 & Year 5 Darren: 3:40pm-4:10pm
• Year 6 & Year 5 Kate: 4:10pm-4:40pm

Tuesday Rec & Y1 – Week 8 – 9th September – Specialist Showcase

• Reception: 3:40pm-4:10pm
• Year 1: 4:10pm-4:40pm

Quest – Base 3

As part of their exciting Quest program, the Year 3 class embarked on their very first visit to the Adelaide Zoo, an adventure that marks the beginning of many more to come with the students all becoming zoo members. The day was filled with wonder and discovery as students explored the layout of the zoo, learning how to navigate its winding paths and diverse exhibits. A special highlight was celebrating International Tiger Day, where the children learned about tiger conservation and the importance of protecting endangered species. They also began their journey into animal classification, observing different habitats and discussing what makes each animal unique. It was a day of curiosity, connection, and a growing awareness of the natural world.

A day out each week this term exploring Adelaide Zoo, Monarto Zoo or the Botanic Gardens is a rich way for our students to explore their Term 3 Unit of Inquiry ‘Life has evolved on Earth and is impacted by changing conditions’.

Quest – Base 5

Year 5 students have officially launched their Quest adventure, diving into the theme of Outdoor Adventure and Challenge with great enthusiasm. Their journey began at Belair National Park, where they tackled an orienteering course, learning to navigate using maps and compasses, telling jokes and chatting along the way. The day continued with mountain biking, as students practised their riding techniques on a dedicated trail, building confidence and coordination. With more riding, hiking and camping also on the horizon, this first experience set the tone for a term filled with exploration, resilience, and teamwork in the great outdoors.

This term, Base 6 embarked on an exciting and enriching Quest journey, diving deep into themes of sustainability, ethical responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

Our Quest began with five immersive Mondays at Cleland Wildlife Park, where students explored the park’s sustainability practices, ethical considerations, and management processes. Drawing on their learning, students produced informative documentaries that not only showcased the park but also proposed actionable sustainability initiatives they could implement at school or home.

The second phase of our Quest took us to the Forktree Project, where we worked alongside Liz to learn about biodiversity, sustainability, and vegetation communities. Our experience culminated in a hands-on day at Forktree, contributing to the rehabilitation of the local environment. Students replanted native species, removed protective stakes from established plants, and collected landfill waste—putting their knowledge into meaningful action.

To wrap up our Quest, we spent a day at Happy Valley Reservoir, challenging ourselves with an 11km mountain bike ride and a kayaking adventure. This experience was all about building resilience and embracing risk-taking in a safe and supportive environment. It was a fantastic way to apply our learning in a new context—and we’re buzzing with excitement to continue developing these skills on our upcoming road trip!

Year 2 students began their Term 3 Unit of Inquiry, “Places can be significant to individuals and cultures in many ways,” with a visit to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Guided by Indigenous storyteller Trent Hill, students learned about the cultural importance of native plants and the deep connection between people and place on Kaurna land. It was a meaningful start to their exploration of how places shape identity and culture.

A fantastic effort!

On Friday, July 25th, our girls’ year 5/6 SAPSASA netball team took to the courts for the second stage of the knockout competition, facing off against North Adelaide Primary School and St Michaels. The girls played with heart, competing hard and fair, and showing incredible teamwork and resilience throughout the day. Their support for one another and pride in representing our school was truly commendable. A special shout out to the team members who participated, your effort and spirit were outstanding! Huge thanks to Zac for his fantastic organisation and support, and to Emily for her brilliant coaching, what a dynamic duo! Well done to all involved, and better luck next year!

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.

From 4.30pm each day, OSHC requires exclusive access to the eastern playspace (including the soccer field and Adventure playgroun). After this time, families are asked to move to the western end, utilising the Court and Daphne Gum playground.

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
Monday & Wednesday Afternoons: 3pm – 4pm

Monday, 11 August: Bullying No Way – Morning Coffee in the Dining Room (8:15am)

Tuesday 12 August: Year 2-3 Specialist Showcase

Friday 15 August: Year 6 Excursion: Art Gallery & Museum

Friday 22 August: Book Week Parade (9am)

Monday 25 August: Year 4-6 Specialist Showcase

Friday 29 August: Year 1: Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Tuesday 2 – Thursday 4 September: School Photos

Wednesday 3 September: SAPSASA District Athletics Carnival

Thursday 4 September: Father’s Day Celebration

Friday 5 September: Student Free Day/Teacher Professional Learning Day (ELC & OSHC available)

Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 September:
ELC – Celebrating Learning through Play (8am)

Tuesday 9 September:  Reception – Year 1 Specialist Showcase

Monday 8 to Thursday 11 September: Year 5 Camp

Tuesday 16 September: Year 2: Production – Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Thursday 18 September: Year 2: Production (for families)

Friday 19 September: SAPSASA Track & Field Metro Athletics Championships

Friday 19 September: ELC Orientation Day (10am)

Monday 22 – Tuesday 23 September: Year 6: Exhibition

Tuesday 23 September: Year 6: Parent Road Trip information session

Thursday 25 September: Year 3 Celebration of Learning (3-3:30pm)

Thursday 25 September: Year 4 Celebration of Learning (am & pm)

Thursday 25 September: ELC Orientation Day (10am)

Friday 26 September: Year 3: Celebration of Learning (8:15 – 8:45am)

Friday 26 September: Jump Rope for Heart

Friday 26 September: Last day of Term 3

If you need further information about upcoming events at Annesley, please contact enquiries@annesley.sa.edu.au.

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.