Newsletters
Annesley News Issue 267

Two Strength Programs have been in the spotlight this week at Annesley. These opportunities available to our students directly relate to two of our Strategic Focus Areas, Learner Growth and Learning Environment. Thank you to our Highly Able Teacher David Taylor for facilitating both of these opportunities for our students.

ICAS Assessments – Learner Growth

The International Competitions and Assessments (ICAS) are available to students from Year 2 – 6. These assessments engage children in higher order thinking and problem-solving, providing a challenge opportunity for students with academic strengths.

24 of our students took part in at least one ICAS assessments in Digital Technologies, Mathematics, English, Science or Spelling Bee. Every student who participates in ICAS receives a certificate recognising their strong commitment to learning and personal growth.

Annesley students this year achieved 11 Distinctions which are awarded to the top 10% of students nationally, and 2 High Distinction which are only awarded for the top 1%. This is a significant achievement given the academic strengths of the students who complete ICAS Assessments.

We are very proud of all students who participated and commend them for their effort, strengths, commitment and academic achievement. We presented certificates to these students at Assembly this week.

Children’s University Graduation – Learning Environment

On Tuesday, 19 Annesley students celebrated their Children’s University Graduation in a ceremony at Bonython Hall, Adelaide University. Children’s University is a global program that encourages  children’s participation in a wide range of learning experiences beyond the classroom.

Each child’s Children’s University journey is unique. As students engage in activities and visit learning destinations of their own choosing with their families. These could be community and cultural institutions, school-based clubs and activities, and even national parks!

Jo Rossiter
Principal

As we complete the final stage of transferring all digital school functions to Anney, we want to ensure all Annesley families are supported with any difficulties in accessing or navigating Anney.

Login issues were resolved in early 2026, if any families are still experiencing log in issues, there is help available. Please contact anneysupport@annesley.sa.edu.au for efficient and personalised support from our Anney team.

With the global cybersecurity issue involving PHP, a widely used technology that supports websites and online applications, we are reminded about the additional data security that Anney is providing our school community. I am pleased to share that our public website, and Anney Schoolbox system have not been compromised this week.

Last night, we were delighted to welcome back members of the Class of 2025 for a special reunion evening. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for last years graduates to reconnect with one another, reminisce about their time at Annesley, and share stories of their journeys since graduation.

The room was filled with laughter, conversation, and a genuine sense of connection.

Reunions such as these are a valuable reminder of the strength of our Old Scholar community and the lifelong friendships and connections fostered during a student’s time at Annesley. We are always delighted to welcome our graduates back and celebrate their achievements, experiences, and ongoing connection to the school.

A sincere thank you to our Old Scholars Association for their hard work in organising such a warm and enjoyable evening. Their dedication ensured the event was a memorable occasion for all who attended.

This morning, Nemea came together to celebrate their House Breakfast. So much blue and house spirit filled the warm morning air.

Our House Captains delivered compelling and motivating speeches, inspiring everyone for the term ahead. Delicious coffee from our café and a tasty breakfast were enjoyed by all.

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us and make the morning such a success.

Next it’s Corinth’s turn on Friday 6th of November and Delphi on the 13th of November.

Audrey, Casper, Ernest and Hazel from Year 4 are excited to introduce the Annesley Book Box. Located outside the bouncing Bean Café, the book box provides a simple and fun way for students and families to share and discover great books.

How It Works

• Donate children’s books that you no longer need by placing them in the Book Box.
• Exchange a donated book for another book you would like to read.
• If you haven’t donated a book you are still welcome to borrow a book and return it later, or keep it if you love it.
• If the Book Box is full, please hold on to your donations and bring them in another time.

Our Enterprise

For our Enterprise project, we wanted to create a book-sharing service because many families have books that are no longer being used but could be enjoyed by someone else. We had seen community book boxes in our local neighbourhoods, but noticed these are often aimed at adults or toddlers.

The Annesley Book Box means you can enjoy a new book without having to buy one, If you really love a book and want to keep it,  you can, you don’t have to return it like you do in a library.

By sharing books, we hope to encourage more reading.

We were able to buy the Book Box through the Enterprise budget. We hand painted the box ourselves.

David Taylor
PYP Coordinator & Highly Able Teacher

What a brilliant start to the term for Year 4 Cherie! We have loved reconnecting after the term break and hearing all about the different adventures our students enjoyed over the holidays. We have a jam-packed term ahead, with our upcoming QUEST to the Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, our Camp Out experience, and excursions to the Desalination Plant and Immanuel College, alongside all of the wonderful Annesley experiences that are in store for us this term.

We have also begun preparing our songs for the Christmas Concert later this term, and we cannot wait to share them with you all. The students have been doing an incredible job singing together as a group, and it has been so rewarding to watch their confidence grow as they bravely give it their all.

In our Unit of Inquiry learning, we have begun exploring water scarcity and conservation. As part of this, students have been investigating the features used in infographics to communicate information in an engaging and effective way. Working collaboratively, they identified the elements they found most eye-catching and important, helping them prepare for the infographics they will begin creating over the coming weeks.

Our class was very excited to once again take on the Survival Files this term and challenged themselves with the White Out scenario last week. Working in groups, students selected five items from a list of twenty that they believed would best help them survive in an icy landscape, considering essential needs such as food, water, warmth, and signalling for help. While there are no “correct” answers, success depends on carefully considering priorities, justifying choices, and reaching agreement as a team.

Each week, students are placed in different groups to practise negotiating ideas kindly and respectfully, listening to others, and making decisions together. It has been wonderful to see the progress they have already made in these skills, and how their growing confidence and willingness to take risks have helped them achieve success in these challenges.

I could not be more proud of all the growth my wonderful class has shown already this year. I am looking forward to making the most of the next seven weeks together and celebrating the continued progress, achievements, and learning that lie ahead.

Cherie

Congratulations to our very own Duncan and his team at Africola on being awarded the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand, a recognition that celebrates exceptional food.

Our Budding Lunch students are incredibly fortunate to enjoy Duncan’s Michelin-recognised culinary expertise each Wednesday at Annesley. We are proud to partner with such passionate and talented professionals, bringing memorable food experiences to our students each week.

Click here to book.

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 raised $102

through the Drakes Community Dollars Program!

Community Dollars | Drakes Supermarkets

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.

If you have not yet applied for younger children, applications can be submitted via the following link: https://enrol.annesley.sa.edu.au/application-for-admission/start

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.

If you are unsure whether you have already applied 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 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 Dress 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.