Newsletters
Annesley News Issue 244

Bullying No Way Week – A Powerful Stand for Kindness and Support

This week, our school proudly participated in Bullying No Way Week, a national initiative dedicated to raising awareness, fostering empathy, and empowering students and families to take a stand against bullying. The week was filled with meaningful activities, heartfelt conversations, and powerful moments that reminded us all of the importance of kindness, courage, and connection.

Launching the Week: Real Stories, Real Impact

We began Bullying No Way Week with an opportunity for parents to share their own experiences of speaking up—both as children and adults. These stories helped normalise the challenges of confronting bullying and highlighted the strength it takes to stand beside someone in need. These conversations helped bridge generations and reinforced the message that no one has to face bullying alone.

Parent Information Session with Amber Owen

Following the storytelling session, we welcomed psychologist Amber Owen, who led a parent information session focused on supporting children—whether they are experiencing bullying or struggling with their own behaviour toward others. Amber offered compassionate, practical advice that helped families feel more confident in responding to bullying and fostering respectful relationships at home. Her insights were a valuable addition to our week’s focus on empathy and empowerment.

Australia’s Largest Anti-Bullying Lesson

In classrooms, the week began with all classes participating in Australia’s largest anti-bullying lesson, hosted by Kids Helpline. This nationwide event brought together thousands of students to learn about the different forms of bullying, how to respond safely, and how to be an upstander in their communities. The lesson reinforced key messages about empathy, resilience, and the power of speaking up.

Assembly Highlights: Kindness in Action

At our school assembly, students watched a poignant clip from the movie Forrest Gump, where a young character shows kindness to Forrest on his first day of school—when no one else would. This simple act of inclusion sparked a thoughtful discussion about how small gestures can have a lasting impact, and how each student has the power to be a force for good.

Adults Who Care: A Visible Network of Support

To further emphasize the support available to students, school staff stood at the front of assembly, showing children the trusted adults they can turn to within our school community. We would like to give a special thank you to the adult visitors who attended assembly. These guests were invited to stand so that students could see the network of caring adults outside of school—family members, mentors, and community figures—who are also here to listen and help.

Structures That Support Safe Conversations

The success of Bullying No Way Week was built on the strong foundations already in place at our school. Structures such as the Welcome Circle, our Class Essential Agreements, and our Wellbeing, Behaviour and Engagement Policy—summarised in classrooms using the Pathways of Support document—have created safe, respectful spaces for students to speak openly. These frameworks empower students to reflect, share, and seek help when things go wrong—whether it’s bullying or simply a moment that felt unkind or unfair.

By embedding these practices into daily school life, we ensure that every student knows where to turn and how to access support. These conversations are not just for special weeks—they are part of our ongoing commitment to wellbeing, inclusion, and respectful relationships.

A Message to Our Community

Bullying No Way Week reminded us that kindness is courageous, and that speaking up can change lives. We’re incredibly proud of our students, staff, and families for engaging with such openness and compassion.Let’s continue to foster a culture where every child feels safe, valued, and heard.To learn more about Annesley’s commitment to partnering with students, staff, and families in developing responsible learners and creating a safe, supportive school environment, please refer to our Wellbeing, Behaviour and Engagement Policy, available below.

Together, we say: Bullying? No Way!

Sharyn Darrell
Director of Primary School

On Tuesday 12^th of August, 14 talented students from Years 4, 5, and 6 were selected to represent Annesley at the SAPSASA Basketball Carnival, and they did so with pride, passion, and plenty of enthusiasm! Throughout the day, our teams competed with determination and displayed outstanding sportspersonship. Every student gave their all, working together, supporting one another, and showing great resilience on and off the court. It was a joy to see them having fun, learning through competition, and embracing the spirit of the game.

We are incredibly proud of how our students represented our school, not just in their performance, but in their attitude, teamwork, and respect for others. A heartfelt thank you to the families and staff who helped make the day possible. A special congratulations to our girls’ team who came away with a 3^rd place, very well done.

Go team Annesley!

Our young scientists at Annesley have been busy at work recently devising, experimenting, documenting, learning and creating over 30 entries this year in the Oliphant Science Awards, exhibited at Science Alive over the weekend.

Congratulations to all our students who participated in the Oliphant Science Awards this year! Special mention must go to two students who were named as prizewinners and will now attend the Awards Ceremony in October:

• Jamie G, Year 2
• Oliver D, Year 2

…and three Highly Commended Awards:

• Elise H, Year 6
• Isla G, Year 2
• Harry B, Year 2

Thank you to our talented and passionate science teacher, Christiana who supported our students in creating these projects and was a judge last week at the Awards. She also took our Year 6 students to Science Alive last Friday and has fun engagements planned for our students over the next week for National Science Week, including a Science Fair run by our Year 6 students on Friday.

Annesley has proudly been named a Science Active School for the last two years because of our students’ strong and meaningful engagement in primary science!

Reception Ellen and Jess students have had an exciting term as they continue to develop their reading and writing skills. Through daily Sounds Write lessons, students are developing their ability to identify, blend, and segment sounds, laying a strong foundation for early reading and writing. They are learning to connect sounds to letter symbols and use this knowledge to write words and sentences.

To build on these skills, students have been introduced to recount writing, where they write about real-life experiences in their own words. To help organise their ideas, they have been learning to answer the key questions: Who? What? When? Where? These questions guide students to include important details in their writing and give structure to their recounts. After a class event or a weekend activity, students think carefully about:

• Who was there?
• What happened?
• When did it take place?
• Where did it happen?

Their enthusiasm for writing is shining through. Rosie shared, “I wrote about when we went on Saturday so everyone knew when we went!” 
Maddy said, “We can write about something that has already happened that day.” Elle explained, “We use a list of who and where so people know what happened in our story.”

It’s been a joy to watch the children grow in confidence and develop their own voices through writing. They are eager to share their work and are beginning to see themselves as real authors. Each student’s writing reflects their expanding understanding of language, sounds, and storytelling. We are so proud of the progress they are making.

As part of our inquiry into the Unit of Inquiry Where We Are in Place and Time, our Year 1 students have been delving into personal histories and cultural backgrounds. This exploration has sparked meaningful conversations about identity, heritage, and the diverse ways we connect with the world around us.

To bring these ideas to life, students have embarked on a series of excursions to the vibrant Adelaide Central Market. These visits have offered a rich sensory experience—students have been able to see, touch, smell, hear, and taste a wide variety of produce from around the globe. By engaging directly with market vendors, they’ve learned about the origins of different foods, the stories behind the stalls, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives local businesses.

This immersive experience has helped students understand not only where products come from, but also how markets serve as cultural hubs that bring communities together. As one student, Mackenzie, insightfully shared:
“It’s good that we have these markets, otherwise we’d have to fly everywhere if we wanted to try different foods.”

We’re proud of how our young learners are making connections between their personal histories and the wider world, and we look forward to seeing how these experiences shape their understanding of global citizenship and innovation in weeks to come.

Specialist Showcases

Congratulations to the Year 2 and 3 students who attended our first Specialist Showcase event – guiding their parents on a tour of their favourite specialist learning spaces and showcasing their learning.  In leading this process our students demonstrated many of the PYP Approaches to Learning, including, self-management, effective communication and reflective thinking.

Still to come… 

Monday  Week 6. 25th August
Y4-6 Specialist Showcase

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

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

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

Last week, our curious explorers ventured out to Monarto Zoo to deepen their inquiry into how changes in habitats affect animal survival. Students observed the habitats of chimpanzees, elephants, and meerkats, sparking thoughtful discussions and creative ideas. They showed incredible teamwork and innovation by building their own shelters, designed to protect from the elements and stay hidden from predators!

Annesley is thrilled to celebrate Book Week from Monday 18th to Friday 22nd August, with a range of exciting activities designed to spark imagination and a love of reading. Here’s what’s happening across the Junior School and Early Learning Centre.

Primary School Highlights

Author & Illustrator Visits:

• Monday 18th (via Zoom): Anna McGregor – Author & Illustrator (MYR-Year 2)
• Wednesday 20th: Dave Atze – Illustrator (Year 3-Year 6)
• Thursday 21st: Katrina Germein – Author (MYR-Year 2)
• Friday 22nd (via Zoom): Andy Griffiths – Author (Year 3-Year 6)

Dress-Up Parade:
Join us on Friday 22nd at 9am in the Multicourt for the Junior School Dress-Up Parade. Students are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite book character.

Scholastic Book Fair:
Held in the Library on the following days from 8:00-9:00am & 3:30-4:30pm:

• Thursday 21st August
• Friday 22nd August
• Monday 25th August
• Tuesday 26th August

Early Learning Centre Highlights

Storybook Trail:
The ELC will also enjoy the Storybook Trail, with readings from the CBCA Shortlist and engaging activities to explore story themes.

Staff Book Shares:
Annesley staff will visit classrooms to share their favourite stories with students.

Special Guest:
On Wednesday, we welcome Caitlin, Youth and Children’s Coordinator from Unley Library, to share stories with our youngest learners.

Dress-Up Day:
On Friday 22nd August, ELC children are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character for a fun and festive celebration.

We look forward to a week filled with stories, creativity, and adventure. Happy Book Week!

Our Year 5 students have been diving headfirst into a swirl of colour and creativity in their visual art lessons, inspired by the expressive spirit of Vincent Van Gogh.

Guided by the IB PYP’s focus on inquiry and personal expression, they have been exploring how light can transform mood and meaning in a painting, just as Van Gogh discovered under the sun-drenched skies of Arles.

With bold acrylic strokes and striking contrasts, students are connecting art theory to practice, experimenting with techniques, and reflecting on their own creative choices.

This vibrant journey not only builds technical skill but deepens their understanding of art’s power to evoke emotion.

A big thank you to our wonderful Annesley community for your incredible generosity during our Christmas in July food drive last term. Together, we collected 154kg of food, helping to provide 308 meals to families in need through Foodbank SA.

Your generosity and support has made a meaningful impact, and we’re proud to share that Foodbank SA has recognised our efforts with a certificate of appreciation. What a fantastic achievement!

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

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.