Cultural Immersion – Yolngu Country

Last week was a special week for me. One that impacted both my mind and heart, deepened my understanding and altered perspective.

I joined a group of eleven educators from SA & NSW, who flew into Nhulunbuy, NT where we first camped at the site of the annual Garma Festival. We connected with an Yolngu people who welcomed us, shared cultural stories of culture, language, trade, ceremony and songlines of their ancestors.

We then ventured to a Homeland, camping alongside a family for three days on Country in Nyinyikay, a four hour 4WD journey from Nhulunbuy, deep in Arnhem Land.

I share the following reflections, using our Annesley Values.

CONNECTION

• I experienced a deep connection to Country, through language, ceremony, law and custom through Yolngu people and culture
• I learnt how Yolngu kinship structures create formative and unbreakable connection though broad structures of family, challenging the more familiar ‘immediate family’ model of my own culture

KINDNESS

• Yolngu people welcomed us to Country wholeheartedly and unreservedly, sharing their culture and land, with a clear purpose to build understanding, connection and their vision for Rrambanggi Djama, meaning working together to balance both worlds

BRAVERY

• Lifelong learning comes from having courage to step outside my home, my comfort zone, without modern life comforts and familiarity of my people

WISDOM

• I now understand that Yolngu culture values balance over all else, guided by ancient wisdom
• Learning occurs through women’s and men’s business, I learnt weaving with Yolngu women by collecting pandanus leaves, digging roots to dye leaves and learning the art of weaving through watching, and watching again
• Yolngu people are multilingual, knowing multiple Yolngu languages, with English being an additional, secondary language

JOY

• Seeing the joy experienced from this family living together  on Country, speaking in language, eating from Country, expressing their culture through dance, art and song.
• Joy comes from gaining a deeper and more complete understanding of First Nations culture and people.

GRATITUDE

• Deep emotion came from being involved in two traditional healing ceremonies, one with bush medicine and one with a yidaki (didgeridoo)
• I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to step away, learn, grow and pay forward.

Manymak.

Jo Rossiter
Principal

 PYP Self-Study Parent Survey – Fill out form

This year, we are conducting our IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) self-study, and we invite you to share your feedback through our survey.

The self-study is an important opportunity for our school community to reflect on the effectiveness of our PYP implementation and identify priorities for continued growth. The perspectives of students, families and staff are a valuable part of this process.

As part of the IB’s five-year programme evaluation cycle, the self-study will be followed by a visit from an IB Evaluation Team in February 2027. This process provides an opportunity to celebrate strengths, reflect on our practices and identify areas for further development.

At Annesley, we choose to be an IB PYP school because this approach aligns with our commitment to nurturing capable, compassionate and reflective young people. The PYP encourages students to become curious, caring and internationally minded learners who inquire, think critically, take action and understand their responsibility within a changing world.

The feedback collected through this survey will help inform our future planning and the continued development of the PYP at Annesley.

Our previous IB Evaluation in 2022 was highly successful, recognising notable development across all programme standards and practices. You can read our 2022 IB Evaluation Report attached below.

We sincerely appreciate your time, thoughtful responses and ongoing partnership in enriching learning for every student.

David Taylor
PYP Coordinator & Highly Able Teacher

Symphony of Stories

This year the annual Junior School Book Week parade was held on Monday with a wonderful display of colourful characters represented by students and staff.

Thank you to all who participated and to help make this day a memorable occasion and a great start to the week’s celebrations.

Queensland middle grade author Kate Foster visited Annelsey and spoke to B3-B6 students highlighting her passion for writing, representing diverse characters in her novels and a lifelong love of dogs.

South Australian picture book illustrator and author Mandy Foot visited MYR-B2 students hosting engaging workshops with a focus on drawing skills and creating characters.

B6 and Christian hosted assembly on Wednesday presenting an original scripted play inspired by the character ‘Derek’ the curious fish who wanted to know where water comes from.

‘Derek’ written by Anne Donaldson and illustrated by Matt Shanks was shortlisted in the 2026 Children’s Book Council of Australia Early Childhood category.

Congratulations to B6 & Christian for a fun filled and engaging assembly presentation.

The Early Years children and staff enjoyed celebrating Book Week with daily visits to the Junior School Library for stories, songs and activities celebrating music exploring this year’s theme ‘Symphony of Stories’. Annesley staff were invited to be guest story tellers and share a favourite book with the children in Wattle, Grevillea, Banksia & Euclypt throughout the week. A dress up day was held on Monday, and it was lovely to see the children and staff in their colorful character costumes.

Children delighted in the return of the Scholastic Book Fair held in the breezeway of the Harris Wing. A selection of picture books, emerging readers, chapter books and non-fiction titles were on display for browsing and purchase.

Thank you to the children, staff, and school community for making Book Week 2026 a fantastic celebration.

Sarah Scott
Library Officer

Today, our Year 6 students proudly took ownership of the Bouncing Bean Café, transforming it into a vibrant French café experience as part of their Unit of Inquiry. Their central idea, “Social justice is enhanced when we increase access to equal opportunity,” guided their learning and inspired them to explore ways to make the café more accessible and inclusive for all visitors.

As part of this project, students investigated how cafés can cater to a wider range of people and implemented practical ideas to improve accessibility. They also embraced French language and culture by “Frenchifying” the café experience. Menus were written in French, and Year 6 students welcomed customers and took orders using French phrases.

Adding to the excitement, our Year 2 students joined the experience as café customers. Prior to their visit, they learned key French words and phrases, enabling them to confidently interact with the Year 6 students and place their orders in French. The collaboration between the two year levels created a lively atmosphere, with students enthusiastically applying their language skills.

The café was a wonderful example of inquiry-based learning in action. We are incredibly proud of our Year 6 students for their leadership, creativity, and commitment to making the Bouncing Bean Café a welcoming and inclusive experience for everyone.

Madame Anna
French Teacher

Base 5 Michelle’s Quest Adventures

What an incredible start to Quest for Base 5 Michelle! The students have embraced every challenge with enthusiasm, determination and a genuine sense of adventure, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Over the term so far, students have taken to the trails of both Belair National Park and Craigburn Farm, developing their mountain biking skills while enjoying some of the beautiful natural environments. A highlight was a resident kookaburra that spent the day following them around! Each ride has provided opportunities to build confidence, challenge personal limits and strengthen friendships as students encouraged one another along the way.

One of the highlights of our Quest program has been our service-learning project with Food on the Table. Working together as a team, the students rolled up their sleeves and helped make an incredible 412 sausage rolls for members of the homeless and vulnerable community. It was wonderful to see the care, generosity and sense of purpose the students brought to this activity, recognising the positive impact that small acts of kindness can have on others.

Perhaps our biggest challenge so far was cycling the 36km journey from Annesley to West Lakes and back. This was no small feat, and every student demonstrated resilience, perseverance and a balanced approach as they tackled the distance. Along the way, we were fortunate to enjoy some fantastic scenery and take in the views around us, making the experience even more memorable. What struck me most throughout the day was not simply the distance travelled, but the way the children supported and encouraged one another. Whether it was offering words of encouragement on a difficult section, celebrating each other’s achievements, or simply riding alongside a friend who needed support, the students consistently demonstrated outstanding maturity, resilience and teamwork.

I could not be prouder of what the children have achieved so far. Their willingness to step outside their comfort zones, support others and embrace every opportunity has been inspiring, and certainly sets them up nicely for our upcoming camp!

Annesley Athletes Reach New Heights at SAPSASA Carnival

On Thursday 20 August, Annesley celebrated a record breaking day at the Adelaide South East SAPSASA Athletics Carnival held at the SA Athletics Stadium, Mile End. We were proud to have a record 40 students from Years 4, 5 and 6 selected to represent our school, making this our largest team ever to attend the carnival.

Our students competed across a range of track and field events and represented Annesley with outstanding determination, respect and enthusiasm throughout the day. From personal best performances to encouraging teammates from the sidelines, every competitor should be incredibly proud of their efforts.

This year’s team also achieved a record number of placings, bringing home an impressive 6 first places, 5 second places and 3 third places. Congratulations to our ribbon winners Will L, William R, Sam L, Henry M, Max B, Philly K, Lily H, Austin M and Harriett O, who all finished in the top three in one or more of their events.

As a result of these outstanding performances, five Annesley students have qualified to represent the Adelaide South East District at the upcoming district carnival, a fantastic achievement and testament to their hard work and commitment.

A huge thank you to Zac, Gail, Luke and Christian for attending and supporting students throughout the carnival. Special thanks also to Zac, Gail and Penny for their commitment to training and preparing our athletes in the lead up to the event. Their dedication played a significant role in the success of our team.

Finally, thank you to all the families who supported our athletes through training and on the day itself. Your encouragement and enthusiasm help create a wonderful experience for our students.

Congratulations to all 40 competitors on an outstanding and truly record breaking SAPSASA Athletics Carnival. Well done, Team Annesley!

This November marks a truly special milestone for our Annesley community, as our much-loved Gillingham Hall celebrates its 100th anniversary.

For a century, the Hall has been at the heart of countless memories, bringing together generations of scholars, families, and community members for learning, celebration, and connection. As we reflect on its rich history, we are excited to also look ahead and celebrate everything it continues to represent.

We warmly invite all past scholars and members of the community to be part of this significant occasion. Please save the evening of 7th November 2026 and join us in honouring 100 years of Gillingham Hall.

Further details about the celebration will be shared soon.

We are pleased to be able to provide new Annesley sports Umbrellas. Keep dry or stay in the shade in style with this top-quality umbrella perfect for school drop-offs, weekend sport and everything in between.

Limited stock available, order yours through the online uniform form on School Stream, or visit the Front Office next time you are at school!

There’s something special about seeing what we can achieve when our community comes together.

The Annesley Parents Association is excited to share that we’ve already raised over $30 through the Drakes Community Dollars Program—and we’re only just getting started!

Here’s how you can help: 

1. Download the myDrakes app.
2. Select Annesley Parents Association as your Community Dollars partner.
3. 
Scan the app every time you shop at Drakes.

That’s it! A small contribution from every shop is donated to the APA at no extra cost to you, helping fund initiatives that directly benefit our school community.

If every Annesley family selected the APA, the impact would be significant.

It’s one of the easiest ways to support our school—simply by doing your regular grocery shopping.

Thank you for helping us build an even stronger Annesley community. Every shop makes a difference!

Annesley Parents Association 

At Annesley, there are designated toilets for student use and other toilets available for adults to use while onsite.

The designated and clearly labelled adult toilet facilities are located:

• In the Gym
• Courtyard
• Opposite the Front Office.

Annesley staff are always happy to assist if you need directions.

This expectation supports our commitment to maintaining a safe, child‑focused environment for all students and visitors.

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.

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 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.

August

• Monday 31st – Thursday 10th Sept– Henny Penny Hatching Program
• Monday 31st – Tuesday 1st Sep – Scholastic Book Fair
• Monday 31st – Year 5 Quest – Trangia Cooking

September

• Tuesday 1st  – Thursday 3rd  – School Photos
• Thursday 3rd – Year 3 – Adelaide Zoo Excursion
• Friday 4th – Father’s Day Event
• Friday 4th – Year 5 Quest – Glenthorne National Park
• Tuesday 8th – Track & Field Metro State Championships
• Tuesday 8th – Year 2 Grandparents and Special Friends Day
• Wednesday 9th – Maths Explorer and Maths Olympiad
• Wednesday 9th – Year 2 Production – Primary Classes
• Wednesday 9th – Year 1 Grandparents and Special Friends Day
• Wednesday 9th –  Student-Led Specialist Learning Walks (Reception)
• Thursday 10th –  Student-Led Specialist Learning Walks (Year 1)
• Thursday 10th – Year 3 – Adelaide Zoo Excursion
• Friday 11th – Pupil Free Day
• Tuesday 15th – Friday 18th – Year 5 Camp
• Monday 21st – Tuesday 22nd – Year 6 PYP Exhibition
• Monday 21st – ELC Celebration of Learning
• Tuesday 22nd – ELC Celebration of Learning
• Tuesday 22nd – PYP Exhibition and Road Trip Discussion
• Wednesday 23rd – Hot Shots Tennis Carnival Year 3/4s
• Thursday 24th – ELC Celebration of Learning
• Thursday 24th – Year 4 Celebration of Learning – Wax Museums
• Friday 25th – End of Term

If you require 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.