School News & Events
School Values Awards
Each week we present School Values Awards for students who have upheld or demonstrated one of our Pilgrim values: Belong, Explore, Flourish, Serve. The students are presented with their award at our weekly Worship.
Term 4, Week 4
Belong: Sophie
Explore: Koda
Flourish: Ella
Serve: Hannah
Term 4, Week 5
Belong: Keira
Explore: Rowan
Flourish: John
Serve: Emilia
Term 4, Week 6
Belong: Max
Explore: Eva
Flourish: Eli
Flourish: Jemma
Staff News
Yiota Chesterfield has officially joined the Pilgrim Leadership Team.
We identified the many ways Yiota leads and serves in our school community and her strong, collaborative leadership of the Inclusive Education team.
The decision has been made to add Yiota to our Leadership Team to join Kristen, Michael, Lisa, Julie, and Andrew as we lead and guide our school community.
We appreciate the fresh eyes that she brings and her great ideas and suggestions to further strengthen how we work as a team.
Well done, Yiota!
We will farewell Sarah Roberts at the end of this year. Sarah has been a wonderful addition to our Administration team this year and we will miss her attention to detail and friendly greeting in person and on the phone.
Sarah will still be involved in the school community as her daughter continues through primary school. In 2026, Sarah will be pursuing opportunities to work in Youth Work which she has been studying alongside her role at Pilgrim School. We wish her all the best with her new ventures!
Join the Pilgrim team - we are hiring!
We are seeking to employ an Administration Officer to join our Front Office team (Administration and First Aid). The role is for 15 hours per week, 42 weeks per year, commencing in January 2026.
We are also seeking to employ a Finance Officer for 7.5 hours per week, 42 weeks per year, commencing in January 2026.
Details can be found on our website under 'Employment'. Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested in applying.
Applications close 9.00am Monday 1st December.
Baby News for two of our Families!
Recently two of our families have had some exciting baby news. Congratulations to Frederick (Year 3) and Malcolm (Year 1), and also to William in Year 1, on the arrival of their new baby sisters.
We wish Elina & Edidiong and Kate & TJ all the best at this time of celebration and hope both families are quickly adjusting to life with a new addition to their family.
Application for Concessional Fees for 2026
To support our school community we have increased the thresholds at which our concessional fees will be available in 2026.
| Fee Tier | New Income Threshold | Previous Income Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Standard/Level 1 | $115,000 | $95,000 |
| Level 2 | $95,000 | $75,000 |
| Level 3 | $75,000 | $50,000 |
| Level 4 | less than $75,000 | less than $50,000 |
If you meet the criteria and would like to apply for a fee concession, please submit an application form by Sunday 23rd November.
Our 2026 Fee Schedule is available our our website here.
Christmas Celebration
Our Christmas Celebration is next Tuesday 25th November, 6.00pm - 6.45pm at Seeds Church, Aberfoyle Park. Our Foundation students will present the Nativity story and our Year 1 and 2 students and choir will also be sharing Christmas items.
Due to seating restrictions, students not involved in the celebration are not required to attend, but older siblings will need to sit with your family, so please ensure you book them a ticket if they are coming along. Free, general admission tickets can be booked using the link below.
We look forward to seeing families at this end of year event.
Secondary School Tours for Pilgrim Families
The Principals of both Temple Christian College and Southern Vales Christian College have set aside a time exclusively for our families to have a tour of their school next week.
Southern Vales Christian College (Morphett Vale)
- Date: Monday 24th November, 10.30am (please note change of time)
- Tour with: Adam Dunt, Principal
To book: please call the school on 8488 0000 or email Rebecca Pitman on rebecca.pitman@svcc.sa.edu.au to register your booking.
Temple Christian College (Mile End)
- Date: Wednesday 26th November, 11.30am - 1.00pm
- Tour with: Marcel Rijken, Principal
To book: please contact me via reply email on heathk@pilgrim.sa.edu.au to book for this tour.
We appreciate both schools making this opportunity available to our families. There will be further opportunities to tour these schools in 2026.
Reminder - Fergus is here to help
We have added a chatbot to our website named Fergus. (Fergus is a LEAP Frog 😊) Fergus can answer a range of questions in relation to school life, such as when hats are required, details of upcoming term dates/student-free dates, sun protection information and fee information – and he can even tell you a (bad) joke!
Fergus can also answer questions about recent newsletter information - useful if you recall something being mentioned but can't remember which newsletter it was in.
We love the personal connection we have with our community and Fergus is not intended to take away from that, but simply to provide another source of information that is available 24/7 to assist with basic queries. Please rest assured we will still look forward to seeing you at the Front Office or speaking with you on the phone!
Give Fergus a try, and if he can’t help you please let us know so we can continue to build his knowledge.
2027 Foundation Enrolments
We are currently interviewing for Foundation 2027. If you have a child due to start school in 2027, please click on the Application for Enrolment button and complete the enrolment process. If your child will be 5 years old by 1st May 2027, they can commence in Foundation at the beginning of that year. If your child turns 5 years old between 1st May and 31st October you may wish to consider midyear entry. This has always been an option and now that preschools are able to enrol children from midyear to midyear, it may be an excellent opportunity for your child. Please contact Kristen Heath on 8270 3033 or at heathk@pilgrim.sa.edu.au if you would like to discuss your family's situation.
2026 Classes and Step-Up Day
At Pilgrim School, we understand the importance of creating the best possible learning environments for all our students. Each year, our teaching team engages in a detailed and collaborative process to determine class placements for the upcoming year.
Feedback received from parents is carefully considered alongside our teachers’ in-depth understanding of each child’s academic progress, social-emotional development, and unique needs.
Our teachers work together to balance these factors, ensuring each class supports every student’s growth and well-being. It’s a process that takes time, care, and a deep understanding of our students.
We appreciate your trust in this process and look forward to another wonderful year of learning and community at Pilgrim School.
Families will receive an email informing them of their child/ren's class for 2026 after school on Friday 5th December. This will enable you to let your child know before their step-up session on Monday 8th December when students will spend some time in their 2026 class with their teachers for next year.
Belong and Blossom Playgroup
Belong and Blossom is for children 0 - 5 years old and their parents and/or carers. It takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.00am - 10.45am during the school term in the Tween room. Please contact the Front Office, so you can receive our weekly emails letting you know about the week ahead. Registration takes place during your first playgroup session.
This is a time to connect with other parents and for your child to begin their connection with Pilgrim and some of the teachers in the Early Years team. We have story, craft and play times. We share fruit together and end our session with a story and some songs.
Term 4 Playgroup Session Dates
Monday | Wednesday | |
| Week 7 | 24th November | 26th November |
| Week 8 | 1st December | 3rd December |
| Week 9 | No playgroup | No playgroup |
School Shoes
Often families buy new school shoes over the holiday period. This is a good time to remind families about the requirements for school shoes that meet the current Uniform policy. Please only purchase shoes that meet our policy. If you are unsure, you are welcome to contact us.
Black School Shoes
For boys and girls with all formal uniforms:
- black lace-up shoes
- Foundation to Year 2 students can wear black school shoes with velcro or Mary Janes
- elastic-sided boots, black sneakers, buckles, coloured stitiching and heels higher than 3cm are not permitted
Here are some samples that meet school policy:
Here are some samples that do not meet school policy:
Sandals
- may be worn with summer formal uniforms
- plain brown school sandals
- no socks
Here are some examples that do and don't meet school policy:
Sandshoes
- to be worn only with sports uniform on designated days (twice per week)
- predominantly white (no bright colours)
- white laces (or velcro if Foundation to Year 2)
Here are some examples that meet school policy:
