Newsletters
Annesley News Issue 254

From the Deputy Principal

Belonging: A Strategic Focus Area

At Annesley, belonging is at the heart of everything we do. As one of our three strategic focus areas, our teaching team began the school year in January  dedicating time to explore what it truly means to create human‑centred classrooms, places where every child and adult feels seen, known, and valued.

Schools are dynamic, relational environments, and the emotions we bring into each day have a significant impact on how we learn, behave, and connect with others. Even adults can find it challenging to regulate their emotions; for children who are still developing these skills, it can be especially complex. That’s why helping students understand, name, and respond to their feelings is essential. Emotional literacy builds the foundation for both self‑management and positive social interaction and ultimately, readiness for learning.

To support this, Annesley uses several intentional practices that strengthen belonging and connection:

• Welcome Circles each morning, giving every student time to check in, outline the day ahead, and acknowledge small positives that set a hopeful tone for learning.
• Essential Agreements co‑designed with students to clarify expectations for how we support, respect, and interact with one another, framed by our school values.
• A Pathways of Support document that ensures everyone understands the clear, consistent steps we use to help students stay safe, resolve challenges, and learn from social experiences.
• A commitment to positive regard for all, recognising that every human, big or little, is capable, worthy, and growing.

These relational practices help create safe, predictable environments where children feel a strong sense of belonging and are ready to engage with learning and with one another.

Read more about Belonging through our approaches to Wellbeing, Engagement and Behaviour, including our Policy, on our website.

A Further Conversation: Our Belonging Podcast

To deepen this conversation, this term we are sharing a podcast recorded in 2025. While it was created during Bullying No Way Week, its true focus is broader: it reflects on the holistic approach we take at Annesley to support every child within the village of our school community.

We invite you to listen and explore how our shared values and daily practices help us cultivate belonging, safety, and human connection. Thank you to Michael Murphy for recording this and Emily Harrison for her time to add to this important conversation.

Listen to the podcast, here.

Sharyn Darrell
Deputy Principal/Director of Primary

We are proud to share that our Principal, Jo Rossiter has been elected to represent the Independent School Sector in South Australia on the Australian Primary Principals Association National Advisory Council. The Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) is the national professional association for primary principals. APPA is the national voice on national issues and speaks directly to the Federal Government on matters that concern primary school principals and their school communities.

Jo spent two days in Canberra this week, alongside colleagues from other states and territories from the Independent, Government and Catholic sectors discussing themes of student and family wellbeing, AI in Primary Schools, equitable school funding, allied health supports in schools, camps and excursions and was excited to meet and hear from well-known education expert and researcher Pasi Sahlberg and our Minister for Education, Jason Clare at an event at Parliament House.

Our School has submitted a response to the Unley Council’s Planning for Growth proposal, sharing considerations and priorities that are important to our site.

We have also engaged with the Custodians of Wayville Heritage Group. Any interested Wayville Residents may like to join the associated Facebook site if interested in connecting with this local community group, or by email: wayvilleheritage@gmail.com

Friday 20 March  – Wear Orange!

Harmony Day celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. Orange has been the Harmony Week colour since the first event was held in 1999, and symbolises our support for inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. On Friday 20 March all students ELC-Year 6 are encouraged to wear an orange accessory with their school with their school uniform, such as orange socks, shoelaces, scrunchie, ribbon, wrist band or even a t-shirt.

Harmony Day Activities

• During Welcome Circles our classes will discuss and reflect on why harmony matters in a community and reflect on the contributions of different cultures make in our society.
• Our Community Leaders Chloe and Philinda are providing each Year Team with an engaging Harmony Day activity to complete on the day
• Library and RAVE lessons this week will also have a Harmony Day focus

Developing International Mindedness

A core goal of The IB Primary Years Program is to develop our students’ international Mindedness.  Internationally minded people appreciate and value the diversity of peoples, cultures and societies in the world. They make efforts to learn more about others and to develop empathy and solidarity towards them to achieve mutual understanding and respect.

Students at Annesley explore the themes of Harmony Day at much greater depth through our Program of Inquiry. For instance, our Year 3s integrate Harmony Day with their current ‘Where we are in place and time’ Unit of Inquiry as they explore the Central Idea ‘Learning about diverse culture and traditions can promote intercultural understanding and respect and belonging’. A highlight of the learning in this unit has been weekly presentations from Year 3 parents from different cultural backgrounds providing insights into different customs, beliefs, perspectives and experiences.

Our full Transdisciplinary Program of Inquiry for 2026 is on display in two prominent locations outside the French Room by the café, and in the corridor by our Front Office. Click here to view the digital copy.

Next week we farewell Casey who will shortly be welcoming her new baby and taking 12 months parental leave.

While Casey is away current Front Office Team member Alison will be covering her role. Accordingly, Alison will be changing her days to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

In turn, to cover Alison’s role at the Front Desk we welcome Lucy to the Annesley community and the Front Office team. Lucy has been recruited on a 12 month contract and will be working on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Lucy brings over seven years of experience working in both administration and with children in a primary school setting and as a disability support worker. She is passionate about helping families and students, building strong relationships, and providing support in meaningful and varied ways.

Lucy is already familiar with our school, having family members who are part of the Annesley community. This personal connection has given her valuable insight into the school’s values and culture, something she is excited to now actively contribute to.

Outside of work, Lucy enjoys life with her partner and their busy one‑year‑old daughter. As a family, they love going for walks and exploring local cafés together.

On Wednesday, Week 5, the three Reception classes came together for our annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic. It was a wonderful way to build connections between the three Reception classes for this shared, joyful experience. The children mixed in small groups, enjoyed games, songs, and stories, and had the opportunity to make new friends. Activities inspired by Teddy Bears’ Picnic encouraged teamwork and conversation, and we are looking forward to building on these connections as the year goes on.

This was part of their Who We Are Unit of Inquiry, our Reception students have been exploring the central idea that shared values can enhance communities. TheTeddy Bears’ Picnic provided a delightful, hands-on opportunity for the children to put this understanding into action.

Please enjoy this short video of some of the adventures that Reception Gaby had on the day!

The Year 6 Quest marks the culmination of the Quest program and is designed to deepen students’ transversal skills, including collaboration, resilience, perseverance, empathy, creativity, and communication. Throughout the year, students are challenged to explore the interconnectedness of communities and to reflect on their own roles and responsibilities within them.

This term, students have investigated Indigenous connections to Country, developing a richer understanding of custodianship and community responsibility. They have also undertaken hands‑on research into ethical business practices, exploring how thoughtful and sustainable decision‑making can contribute to a fairer and more resilient future. These insights will inform the businesses they will design and run later in the year.

Working in collaborative teams, students have navigated Zodiac boats in shifting weather conditions and conquered Challenge Hill at Woodhouse. These outdoor experiences are helping them build an appreciation for the natural environment and its influence on personal wellbeing, while also strengthening their understanding of how to care for and sustain these environments for future generations.

Looking ahead, students will continue to extend their learning through an ongoing partnership with Cleland Wildlife Park, where they will gain insight into sustainable business operations, conservation, and wildlife care. They will also visit the Goolwa Barrage to explore how natural systems are managed and protected. Alongside these experiences, students will maintain their involvement with The Forktree Project, taking on leadership roles in ecological restoration and rewilding initiatives.

On Thursday the 5^th of March, five brave and talented Annesley students proudly represented our school at the SAPSASA Swimming Meet. It was a fantastic day of competition filled with courage, sportsmanship, and determination. Each swimmer gave their absolute best, showing the true spirit of Annesley.

Liam and Annabel both took on their first ever SAPSASA swimming competition, and what a debut it was! They each pushed through nerves, challenges, and moments of adversity, emerging stronger, more confident, and incredibly proud of what they achieved. Their resilience and willingness to step up for the school was inspiring.

Our experienced competitors, Calvin, Lachlan, and Josh, swam with great focus, effort, and team spirit. All three represented Annesley with maturity and competitiveness, performing exceptionally well in their events. They were excellent role models and supported their teammates throughout the day.

A huge thank you goes to the wonderful parent helpers who supported the team throughout the event, your time and energy make days like this possible.

And finally, a big thank you to Zac, who organised and coordinated the event for Annesley.

Congratulations to Liam T, Annabel H, Calvin K, Lachlan T, and Josh H, Annesley is incredibly proud of you!

Fish Tank 2026

The City of Unley is excited to support the next generation of innovators through Fish Tank 2026, a program designed to inspire and empower young people aged 8–25 to explore entrepreneurship and bring their business ideas to life.

Apply to Pitch Your Business Idea

Young people who live, study, work or play in the City of Unley are invited to submit their business idea for the chance to pitch in the Fish Tank competition.

Prizes: Winners will receive a prize package designed to help grow and develop their business idea.

Applications close: Sunday 17 May 2026, midnight

Free School Holiday Workshops

To support aspiring entrepreneurs, the City of Unley is offering FREE age appropriate workshops during the April 2026 school holidays. All sessions are open to young people aged 8–25 years, with parents/guardians welcome to attend.

Entrepreneurship Workshop
Date: Thursday 23 April 2026
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Fullarton Park Community Centre, 411 Fullarton Road, Fullarton

Social Enterprise Workshop
Date: Thursday 23 April 2026
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Where: Fullarton Park Community Centre, 411 Fullarton Road, Fullarton

Register by: 21 April 2026, 5pm

For more information or to apply visit: https://www.unley.sa.gov.au/Community-services/For-young-people/Fish-Tank

Families, please join us on Friday 27 March for a day filled with exciting competitions, team spirit, and active fun! Our Primary Sports Day will be a fantastic opportunity for students from Reception to Year 6 to showcase their athletic skills, cheer on their classmates, and enjoy a wide range of sports activities.

Reminder to place your Sports Day BBQ Orders via School Stream

This week we have launch a new Anney support video – Using News.

A range of written and video guides is available on the Anney support page.

A reminder to families

If you have younger children for whom you have not yet submitted an application form, applications can be submitted via the following link: Enrolment

An application must be submitted for a child to be considered for a place. Places are subject to availability and are not automatically guaranteed for siblings, so early application is strongly recommended.

If you are unsure whether you have already submitted an application and would like to check, or if you have any other questions, please contact Laura in the Student Enrolments Office on 8422 2211 or email enrolments@annesley.sa.edu.au.

The safety of our students and their families, along with respectful consideration for our neighbouring residents on Rose Terrace, remains a priority at Annesley.

Kiss ’n Drop Zone

• 8:15am – 8:45am and 3:15pm – 3:45pm each school day
• Extends from the Pedestrian Crossing to the Cubby House
• 3‑minute stop only — please remain within 1 metre of your car

For the safety of children, please avoid:

• Making U‑turns on Rose Terrace
• Double parking

Please consider our neighbours by not:

• Parking across driveways or in no‑standing zones
• Moving rubbish bins on bin day (Tuesday)
• Parking in permit zones

Thank you for your ongoing attention to these guidelines — it makes a positive difference for everyone.

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
Tuesday & Wednesday Afternoons: 3pm – 4pm

We have a busy and exciting Term 1 ahead at Annesley, with a range of learning experiences, excursions, and community celebrations planned for our students. Please see the key dates below and add them to your calendar.

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.