Newsletters
Annesley News Issue 251

2025 – A Year of Recognition

At Annesley, we are proud of our achievements across many aspects of school life. While our work is always centred on impacting student learning and experience –  not on seeking awards, it has been affirming this year to receive external recognition in three key areas.

Science Active School – 2025
For the second year in a row, Annesley has been named a SASTA Science Active School. This award recognises our leading primary science program from Reception to Year 6, taught by Specialist Science Teacher Christiana. It also acknowledges our engaging Science learning space, the Annesley Farm, our consistent success in the Oliphant Science Awards, and our partnership with Green Adelaide in sustainability education.

Sounds-Write Accredited School – Silver Award
We are proud to have attained a Sounds-Write Silver Award this year as part of the Sounds-Write Schools Accreditation Program. This award highlights strong leadership in phonics teaching across our school and confirms that the program is delivered to a high standard in every learning space. It reflects our commitment to continually improving practice for the best outcomes for students. Looking ahead, we are now well placed to work towards Gold Accreditation. Annesley is leading the way in South Australia with Sounds-Write, an evidence-based phonics program that delivers excellent results in writing and spelling for primary learners.

Quest Program – State & National Outdoor Education Awards
Early this term, our Quest program was recognised with both state and national awards, affirming its place as a leader in primary education:

• Kirinari Primary Education Program of the Year Award 2025 – Outdoor Education Association South Australia (OEASA), recognising an outstanding outdoor education program offered to primary students in South Australia.
• Exemplary Program 2024 – Outdoor Education Australia, recognising innovative, high-quality outdoor education programs that meet participant needs and are socially and environmentally responsible.

The Quest program showcases Annesley’s commitment to experiential learning, with a clear purpose of developing deep knowledge and human capacity in a world defined by increasing complexity, diversity, and technology.

The 2026 school year will soon be upon us, and we will commence the year by launching our new Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which will guide Annesley’s next chapter of ongoing excellence.

But, now it is time for rest, pause and reflection. Thank you to all our families for your trust and partnership in the education of the young people in our care during 2025. May you all have a wonderful Christmas, festive season and a safe and happy holiday.

Jo Rossiter
Principal

Being a school leader in 2025 has been an amazing experience. As leaders we have learnt so much about public speaking and making decisions. Presenting Strength Awards to Annesley students has helped us with our communication skills at Assembly. We also enjoyed getting to know all the younger students out in the yard and hearing their suggestions about how to make Annesley even better than it already is!

Some highlights from this year have been the new students UNO game we led, that brought the newest members of the Annesley community together. We also saw the introduction of the Annesley Keep Cup and Lunch Bag, amazing initiatives from Enterprise. One of our favourite memories from this year was opening the Annesley Frog Pond, and all the students counting down for the release of the tadpoles into the pond. – Elise

During my time at Annesley, I have always aspired to be a school leader. I used to think I just wanted the badge of a school leader, and thought nothing of the important attributes. But as I started the role of being a school leader, I realised that being a School Leader or a House Captain isn’t about the badge, it’s about the responsibility and being a role model to all the students. -Navarre

When I first started at Annesley in Reception I looked up to the leaders and Year 6s. Being selected as a school leader was exciting, and I had so many ideas about what I wanted to do with my leadership. Some of those ideas we were able to make happen and were actioned, some were not. The most important lesson I learnt as a leader is that you can’t do everything, and it’s OK to leave things to be actioned in later years. Elise

Now as our primary school chapter comes to an end this is our advice to the 2026 Senior Students in Base 6:

• Enjoy your leadership journey
• Take initiative and follow your passions
• Don’t think that rewards come easy
• To get rewards you have to work hard for every moment Always remember to care for others, be thankful for each other, be grateful
• Learn from your mistakes, connect with others
• Most importantly have fun!

2025 has been an incredible year for Annesley and leadership. We would like to congratulate Blair and Isabelle for being selected to the role of School Leaders for 2026, our other student leaders, and the Base 6 Seniors for 2026.

Elise and Navarre
2025 School Leaders

Class of 2025 Celebration

Last night, we farewelled our incredible Year 6 students with a truly memorable celebration. Families and special friends gathered in the beautiful Patchell Courtyard to raise a toast to our graduating students, while the students enjoyed a lively disco filled with their favourite tunes.

The evening featured heartfelt speeches and special announcements, creating moments that will be cherished. With warm weather and a wonderful atmosphere, it was the perfect way to honour our students’ achievements and mark the end of their Annesley Junior School journey.

We wish each of our Year 6 students the very best as they step into the next exciting chapter of their education. Congratulations, we are so proud of you!

Performing Arts in Semester 2 has been so busy!

Reception classes had so much fun exploring, responding and playing in music, dance and drama in Semester 2. They composed their own body percussion pieces and even some rhythm pieces too! They finished off the year making up their own stories and acting them out pretending to be pirates and elves.

Year 2 were so busy devising and designing their production, ‘Beach Clean-up at Ocean Bay,’ and were very confident performing on stage telling the story and educating others on how to care for our oceans and environment.

In Term 4 they explored and responded to lots of different pieces of music and created their own soundscapes and graphic scores to go alongside their art works.

Year 4 started the year honing their acting skills, learning how to improvise and be a confident public speaker taking on a role that is different to their own personality. They then spent Term 4 learning to play the violin and played for us at the last chapel of the year. Sounding great Year 4!

A wonderful celebration of all the skill development across the years is always the Christmas Concert and this year the whole school brought Pastor Pete’s story, ‘The Glitch that Nearly Stole Christmas’, to life in a performance that everyone could enjoy.

Phew! What a year! Let’s do it again in 2026.

U-Turns:
We kindly ask families to avoid making U-turns on Rose Terrace when dropping off or picking up children. Performing a U-turn over the yellow road barriers is not only unlawful but also poses a safety risk during peak times.

Permit Zones:
As a courtesy to our neighbours, please also ensure you are not parking in any designated permit zones along Rose Terrace.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to road safety.

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 playground). 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

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.