When I attended Annesley College as a student just before the turn of the century, Gillingham Hall held for me, the most special and memorable part of my schooling experience.

As a Year 12 student, I had the privilege of serving as Olympia Choir Conductor. I remember leading our Secondary House Choir onto the stage at the annual House Choir Competition—one of the most anticipated and oved events on the school calendar. Conducting Olympia House on Gilllingham Hall stage, as my family watched on, remains a cherished memory.

During the final week of each school year, we gathered each day in Gillingham Hall to rehearse songs for Music Night. Mr Gubbins led us from the piano, we spent hours learning songs, enduring the summer heat, often with our legs sticking to the plastic chairs.

The Hall was equally memorable during winter. At the end of Semester 1, rows of examination tables would fill the space, and students arrived wrapped in blankets, wearing ugg boots and track pants in an effort to stay warm during exams.

Today, our Primary students at Annesley meet weekly in Gillingham Hall for Chapel and Assembly. Our students have come to expect fun and engaging ways that Pastor Pete each time will share his stories to illustrate our Annesley values in action, our students take opportunities to share their learning on the stage, developing confidence as they showcase new learning and skills to their families. Student leadership ceremonies and graduation ceremonies start and finish each year. Performances are showcased  in Gillingham Hall by our Year 2 and Year 5 students as part of their Performing Arts program, and the odd student disco is enjoyed, or even a Peter Combe or Drumming Monkeys concert for our ELC grandparents to enjoy with their grandchildren.

Gillingham Hall is a special place—a treasured part of Annesley’s story and an iconic building in our city’s landscape. For 100 years, it has brought generations together, creating memories, celebrating achievements, and shaping the lives of students. It is a place of significance not only for our past, but also for our future.

Please join us in commemorating 100 years of Gillingham Hall with a community event to remember, as we celebrate our Hall’s long history and look to its future.

Book Here!

Jo Rossiter
Principal

At Annesley, we are committed to working in partnership with families to support children and young people in developing healthy and balanced relationships with technology. As part of this commitment, we encourage all families to support and participate in Unplug24, a national initiative that invites Australians to spend 24 hours away from social media.

Unplug24 is a simple challenge: set social media apps aside for a day and use that time in other meaningful ways. Spend time with family and friends, enjoy sport and community activities, share a meal together, explore the outdoors, or simply embrace moments of conversation and connection that can sometimes be overshadowed by the demands of our digital world.

The campaign was founded by Wayne Holdsworth in memory of his son, Mac, and forms part of a broader effort to raise awareness about online safety and support families in navigating the challenges young people face in digital environments. Through this initiative, communities across Australia are encouraged to pause, reflect and reconnect with the people and activities that matter most.

Strong relationships are built through time, attention and presence. When we are fully engaged with one another, we are better able to celebrate successes, recognise challenges and offer support when it is needed. This is true for families, friendships, schools, sporting clubs and communities alike.

While twenty-four hours may seem like a small amount of time, it can provide a valuable opportunity to notice how we spend our attention and to rediscover the benefits of being present with those around us.

Participation in Unplug24 continues to grow, with more than 134,000 Australians taking part in 2024 and over 828,000 participating in 2025. This year, even more communities are being invited to join the challenge.

We encourage all Annesley families to take part in Unplug24 and embrace this opportunity to strengthen connections, support wellbeing and create space for the moments that matter most.

Sometimes, putting devices aside for just one day can help us reconnect with the people, experiences and conversations that enrich our lives every day.

Experiential Learning in full swing at Annesley

Term 3 has been another exciting and engaging term in the Quest Program, providing students with rich opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.

Our Reception students concluded their intergenerational program with clients from Resthaven, building meaningful relationships and connections across generations. Throughout the program, students developed communication skills and a strong sense of community while sharing experiences and learning from one another. It has been wonderful to see the confidence and care shown by our youngest learners as they formed genuine friendships with the Resthaven clients.

Year 2 students participated in their first overnight Quest experience, enjoying a sleepover at school. This exciting milestone provided opportunities to build independence, resilience, and confidence.

Our Year 3 students explored the world of animals through visits to Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park over several weeks. These experiences helped strengthen their understanding of animal habitats, endangered species, and the actions individuals and communities can take to help protect wildlife. Students were able to make meaningful connections between their classroom learning and real-world conservation efforts, inspiring them to become advocates for sustainable palm oil.

Year 5 students engaged in a range of outdoor learning experiences focused on wellbeing, resilience and sustainability. Through activities including a hike up Mt Lofty, a 35-kilometre bike ride, and a three-night camp in Melrose featuring mountain biking in Mount Remarkable National Park and hiking through Alligator Gorge, students challenged themselves, developed grit, and strengthened their teamwork skills. They also explored the importance of national parks in protecting ecosystems, investigated food insecurity, and took action by preparing meals for people experiencing hardship. This learning connected with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of ‘Zero Hunger’ and ‘Climate Action’,  encouraging students to consider how they can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.

The Quest Program continues to provide meaningful opportunities for students to connect their learning to the real world, develop resilience, show compassion, and grow as informed and active global citizens. We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, perseverance, and care our students have demonstrated throughout the term and look forward to the adventures and learning experiences that await in Term 4.

Penny Rawinski
Coordinator of Experiential Learning and Wellbeing

Year 4 Tennis Carnival – A Little Different This Year

On Monday, our Year 4 students participated in the inaugural Annesley Hot Shots Tennis Carnival, celebrating the completion of their tennis unit in Health and Physical Education.

Although the Tennis SA carnival was unfortunately cancelled, our students did not miss out on the opportunity to experience the excitement of a tennis carnival. Instead, Zac brought the event to Annesley and ran our very own Year 4 Tennis Carnival.

Throughout the morning, students competed in modified Hot Shots matches, rotating through a variety of opponents and courts while enjoying the music and carnival atmosphere that make the original event so popular. The format mirrored many features, including pair play, regular rotations, and an emphasis on participation, respect and enjoyment.

The energy throughout the morning was fantastic. Students demonstrated the skills they have been developing throughout the term, showed excellent teamwork, and encouraged one another in every round. It was wonderful to see students confidently applying their forehands, backhands, control and rallying skills in a game environment.

A highlight of the carnival was watching students embrace the challenge of playing against different opponents while displaying resilience, teamwork and positive attitudes. The music created a vibrant atmosphere, with many students dancing, cheering and celebrating between points and matches.

Congratulations to all students for the way they represented themselves and our school. Their skills, effort and enthusiasm made the carnival a great success.

A special congratulations to our Pathways players, who competed in scored matches throughout the morning and showcased outstanding skill, determination and effort.

Thank you to the staff members who assisted with supervising courts and ensuring the carnival ran smoothly. Your support helped provide a memorable experience for every Year 4 students.

We also presented several acknowledgement awards on the day. Congratulations to Elle, who received the Respectful Player Award, Ernest for demonstrating a positive attitude, and Penelope for her persistence throughout the carnival. Harriett and Xavier were recognised for being part of the longest rally, while Sam and Eleanor not only shared the longest rally record but were also crowned Year 4 Pathways Champions.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate a term of learning, improvement and participation in tennis.

Zac Venning
Health & Physical Education Teacher

Millie Walker
Health & Physical Education Teacher

Year 2 Jodie and Thea

What a wonderful and rewarding term it has been in Year 2 Jodie/Thea! We began the term with a fantastic excursion to the Adelaide Botanic Garden, where we met Trent Hill, an Indigenous storyteller, educator and guide who has worked at the gardens for more than 20 years. Trent led us on the Aboriginal Plant Use Trail through the Australian Forest, where we explored the traditional uses of trees and plants by Aboriginal people and discovered how seasonal changes influence the environment. This excursion provided an engaging provocation for our  Where We Are in Place and Time Unit of Inquiry, centred on the idea that places can be significant to individuals and cultures in many ways. Throughout our learning, we have demonstrated open-mindedness as we deepened our understanding of different cultural perspectives and histories.

The term continued with the much-anticipated Year 2 Sleepover. For many, this was our first overnight experience away from families, providing a wonderful opportunity to be risk-takers as we stepped outside our comfort zones. We showed independence by making our own beds, enjoyed sharing dinner and breakfast together, participated in a talent show, and finished the evening with a movie before settling in for the night. It was a memorable experience filled with laughter, friendship and personal growth that will undoubtedly remain a treasured memory for years to come.

To conclude the term, we proudly presented our end-of-term performance. Everyone demonstrated confidence, enthusiasm and dedication throughout rehearsals and on performance day. As principled learners, we showed commitment, responsibility and respect for one another while working together to deliver a fantastic show. We were incredibly proud to see everyone take to the stage with such confidence and joy as we performed for our families and friends.

We are so proud of all that Year 2 Jodie/Thea have achieved this term and look forward to the exciting learning opportunities that await next term

Jodie Turney-Johnson
Teacher

Thea Simpson
Teacher

Click here to book.

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.

October

• Monday 12th – Term 4 Starts
• Monday 12th – Reception Road Safety Excursion
• Monday 12th – Chapel
• Friday 16th – Olympia House Breakfast
• Friday 16th -Year 5, Colebrook Excursion
• Friday 16th – Year 1, Art Gallery Excursion
• Tuesday 20th – Children’s University Graduation
• Thursday 22nd – Year 4 Desalination Plant Excursion
• Thursday 22nd – AJS 2025 Graduates Reunion
• Friday 23rd – Nemea House Breakfast
• Friday 23rd – Year 5 Grandparents and Special Friends Day
• Monday 26th – 30th – Base 6 Road Trip
• Wednesday 28th – Chapel
• Wednesday 28th – Reception Celebration of Learning
• Thursday 29th – Reception Celebration of Learning
• Friday 23rd – Once Upon A Festival – Year 4 and 5

November

• Monday 2nd – Year 4 Quest – SLS
• Wednesday 4th – Reception 2027 Orientation
• Wednesday 4th – Assembly
• Friday 6th – Corinth House Breakfast
• Saturday 7th – Gillingham Hall 100 Year Celebrations
• Monday 9th – Year 4 Quest – SLS
• Wednesday 11th – Reception 2027 Orientation
• Wednesday 11th – Dare to Become Parenting Series: Parent Lunch – Budding Lunch
• Friday 13th – Delphi House Breakfast
• Friday 13th – Year 4 – Camp Out
• Monday 16th – Base 4 Quest – Bay Discovery Centre
• Monday 16th – SAPSASA Volleyball Statewide Schools Competition
• Tuesday 17th – Year 5 & 6 Quest
• Wednesday 18th – Reception 2027 Orientation
• Wednesday 18th – Concert Dres Rehearsal
• Friday 20th – Christmas Concert
• Monday 23rd – Alternate Date for Christmas Concert
• Monday 23rd – Year 4 Quest – SLS
• Tuesday 24th – Choir to perform at State Library of South Australia
• Wednesday 25th – Old Scholars Chapel
• Thursday 26th – Year 3 Celebration of Learning
• Thursday 26th – Year One Celebration of Learning
• Thursday 26th – ELC Orientation
• Friday 27th – Primary – Moving Up Morning

December

• Wednesday 2nd – Graduation Assembly
• Thursday 3rd – Graduation Celebration
• Friday 4th – End of Year Chapel

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.