School News & Events

School Values Awards 

Each week we present School Value 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 Worships.

Term 3, Week 2

Belong: Owen 

Explore: Zalyah    

Flourish: Isla   

Serve: Elouise  

Term 3, Week 3        

Belong: Ivan    

Explore: Chace

Flourish: Charlie   

Serve: Angus

Welcome 

At the start of Term 3, we are delighted to welcome Owen and his family, along with our new Foundation students. Owen, a Year 2 student, has joined Mrs Fuente's class. We pray for rich blessings as you begin your journey with us - may you quickly feel a strong sense of belonging, find joy in learning, and flourish in who you are.

Kiss and Drop

A reminder to all families to observe the Council parking restrictions on the school side of Campus Drive, particularly during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. This includes the need to remain in your vehicle at all times while in the zone. These regulations exist to keep traffic moving smoothly and to ensure student safety during busy periods. 

To help with the flow of traffic, please move your vehicle forward as space becomes available. Students are to load into cars only in the designated loading area toward the top of the Kiss and Drop zone, where they are supervised by a duty teacher. This helps keep our students safe and traffic moving through the zone.

If your children will sometimes be collected by others, such as grandparents, please pass these guidelines on to them, as they apply to all drivers. Please be aware that Council fines may apply to those who don't observe the parking restrictions.

We appreciate your understanding and support!

Worship and Assembly Videos 

Did you know we endeavour to film Worship or Assembly each week? If you are unable to make it to a worship or want to catch up on something your child tells you about, please check the videos available via the link in the 'School Favourites' tile on the Compass App or Portal. Videos will remain available for viewing for approximately 4 weeks after the event.

Please note that these are raw videos, not professionally filmed or produced, and whilst we aim to have them up for all Worship and Assemblies, there may be times when this is not possible.

We ask that you please do not share any part of these videos on any platform.

Coffee Connections 

All our Pilgrim families are warmly welcome to join us for Coffee Connections - a relaxed and welcoming time to gather, chat, and build community together. Join us on Wednesday 12th August (Week 4) and Wednesday 9th September (Week 8), from 3:30pm – 4:30pm. We meet infront of the Foundation classrooms.

Come along for a cuppa, connect with other families, and enjoy some time together while the children play.

If the weather isn’t kind, we will be situated in the Oasis Kitchen so we can still gather comfortably. Look for the A-frame sign that indicates where we will be. 

We would love to see you there!

Billie Jo Cook

Inclusive Education ESO, Chaplain

World Principal's Day

Pilgrim School celebrated World Principal's Day on Friday 7th August with several classes and staff praying for Andrew Edmondson, a couple of our talented Year 6 students presenting him with portraits they had drawn, and Year 5/6 students from the Pilgrim Choir singing The Blessing to him.

We are thankful for Mr Edmondson, and all he does for students, staff and families at Pilgrim School.

CSA National Leaders Summit

Andrew Edmondson, Julie Wicks, Lisa Newbury and Yiota Chesterfield will be interstate in Week 5 attending the Christian Schools Australia National Leaders Summit. 

Libby Spencer will be Acting Principal from Wednesday 19th to Friday 21st August. Please contact her through the Front Office (8270 3033 or pilgrim@pilgrim.sa.edu.au) should the need arise.

Connections Cafe 2026

Belong | Explore | Flourish | Serve

Our Year 6 students invite all parents, grandparents and friends to ‘Connections Cafe’ for an afternoon tea, including special musical performances.

Date: Tuesday 15th September

Time: 1:45 to 3:00pm

Location: Pilgrim School Oasis Kitchen

Cost: Entry by donation (through TryBooking or cash on the day)

Year 6 students will serve you tea/coffee and baked goods they have made from produce grown in our Friendship Garden while you are entertained by live musical items performed by Year 6 students.

Seats are limited and bookings are essential, so please book your seat today!

Donations are appreciated to purchase a ‘solar powered water feature/bird bath’ for our Friendship Garden.

Garden produce grown in our Friendship Garden will be available for purchase by donation on the day.

From Uganda With Love: Watoto Children’s Choir

They’ve toured the world, performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the President of the United States, and sung in nearly every major parliament around the globe - and now, the Watoto Children’s Choir is coming to share music, stories and dance at our school on Wednesday 2nd September, 9.00am. All families are welcome to join us for their concert at the Performing Arts Centre.

Like Africa itself, the production is vibrant and colourful and will take our students on an emotional journey as African children sing, dance, and share their personal stories of restoration and hope.

The choir will remind our own young people that no matter what they might be going through, or how dark the world may seem at times, there is always hope - and better days ahead. 

Every child in the choir has a unique and moving story. Many have lost one or both parents at a young age or were abandoned as babies - left at bus stops, churches, hospitals, and even in pit latrines. Each child was rescued by Watoto, where they found not only food, shelter, and education - but also a loving family and renewed hope for the future.

But behind the vibrant performances lies a deeper story - one that stretches far beyond music. The choir is part of Watoto, a holistic care organisation based in Uganda. It was founded over 30 years ago in response to the overwhelming number of children orphaned by war, poverty, and disease.

Since then, Watoto has provided safe homes, education, medical care, and spiritual support to thousands of children - raising future leaders who will one day rebuild their nation. They’ve also equipped and empowered thousands of vulnerable women in their communities and have sent hundreds of children’s choirs across six continents.

To learn more about Watoto’s transformative work, opportunities to sponsor children or donate to their organisation, please click on or scan the QR code below.

Introducing Phoebe - Counselling Placement

My name is Phoebe Wildman, and I am excited to be joining the Pilgrim School Wellbeing Team during Terms 3 and 4 as part of my Master of Counselling placement with Flinders University. 

Some of you may already know my brother and sister-in-law, Ethan and Ella Wildman, and I am delighted to now be joining the Pilgrim community myself. My background is in midwifery, and I have spent the past year practising in New Zealand. Through my work, I have developed experience in child development, family transitions, child and infant wellbeing, and trauma-informed care. I hold current registration with AHPRA and a Graduate Certificate in Counselling.

Outside of work, I enjoy music, both playing and writing, travelling, going to the beach and the gym, reading, and spending time with my family and friends.

I am really looking forward to working in a school setting during Terms 3 and 4 and learning from the wonderful students, families, and staff at Pilgrim. I would love the opportunity to support your child by providing a safe, supportive space for them to talk, learn, and grow. 

You will find me working alongside the Wellbeing Team, assisting in classrooms, and at the Belong and Blossom Playgroup on Wednesdays. Please don't hesitate to come and say hello if you see me around the school. I look forward to getting to know many of you over the coming months.

If you would like to make a Student Wellbeing Referral to me or to another member of Pilgrim's Wellbeing Team, you can access the link on our school website or by using the link below. 

Parent permission will be sought before Phoebe works directly with a student.

School Hats for Term 3 

All students are required to wear a hat when outside each day in Term 3 and 4, in line with The Cancer Council of SA recommendations. Please ensure your child has returned their hat to school after the holiday break so they can wear it each day. To find out more visit www.cancersa.org.au

Please refer to the Campus Skin Protection Policy for further details.

School Uniform Checks

Over the coming weeks, our staff will be checking whether students are wearing correct uniform. Please ensure your child is wearing the correct items as per our uniform policy when they come to school. Please note the following:

As we are now in the winter months, full winter formal uniform is to be worn. Our winter uniform does not include a mix of summer and winter uniform items. 

Jewellery

• A watch with functionality of telling the time and step counting only may be worn (no smart watches).
• Earrings – plain round gold or silver studs (studs may include a single small clear non-coloured stone - up to 5mm), or plain gold or silver sleepers with a single earring per ear lobe.

• No jewellery or body piercing.

   

Hair

• Longer than shoulders must be tied back from face (entirely up).
• Hair accessories should be uniform colours.
• Haircuts should be no less than ‘Number 2’.

Shoes

• Conventional black school shoes (not black sneakers that are sometimes marketed as school shoes) need to be worn.

• Only students in Foundations - Year 2 may wear black school shoes with Velcro.

   

Additional items

• No clothing such as singlets, T-shirts or leggings should be visible under the uniform.
• Coats and gloves in maroon, blue or grey are optional and for outside wear only and are worn over the school jumper or the Campus sports jacket.

• Oodies are not to be worn. 

   

If you have questions about uniform, please contact Kristen Heath or the Front Office staff. Teachers will send parents an email if they notice there are components of the uniform your family needs to address.

Allergy Aware School  

We have a number of students and staff with allergies to food products, including nuts. 

Some of the strategies we use as an allergy aware school include:

• knowing which students in each class are at risk of anaphylaxis
• knowing the allergies of students and staff
• minimising risk by utilising regular hand washing, supervised eating, no sharing of food from home

• staff undertaking anaphylaxis training as part of our regular First Aid training.

   

While we recognise that some of these known allergens (e.g. nuts and eggs) are an important part of a balanced diet for those without allergies, we ask our families to please be considerate when providing items containing nuts for your child to eat. If they are young and not able to manage their own packaging or clean their hands after eating, we advise to avoid bringing nuts to school. Older children who are aware of the need to be careful with nut products can bring some nuts to school. Our aim is to minimise the risk of exposure to those who suffer allergic reactions to nuts. Thank you for your understanding.

School Choice Counts 

Over the coming weeks you may notice some advertising from Independent Schools Australia under its School Choice Counts platform. It is supported by a national report, The Great Education Shift, which looks at why families choose independent schools, the wonderful diversity of independent schooling across the country, and the way families contribute to supporting choice in education. We thought you might like to know what it is, and to share a few thoughts closer to home.

We are in a unique position here at Aberfoyle Park. We share our Campus with a government school and a Catholic school - three schools, three traditions, working in close partnership, each one caring deeply about the children entrusted to it. From time to time, you may come across media reports suggesting that independent schools are funded at the expense of government schools. It is a question worth understanding, and the picture is a reassuring one.

Government funding follows need, and every child is recognised whatever school they attend. Families who choose an independent school also contribute towards the cost, and that shared contribution helps the whole system stretch further - it keeps public resources available for government schools and adds capacity and choice for everyone. Far from diminishing the options available to other children, school choice widens them. On our own Campus, three schools flourishing together in partnership is a small picture of exactly that.

The report makes a point we feel deeply here: Independent school families come from every walk of life. They are parents, carers and community members making a careful and heartfelt decision about the school they believe is right for their child. That is certainly true of our Pilgrim community, and it is something we treasure.

There is nothing you need to do. We simply wanted you to be in the loop, and to feel confident and proud in speaking about our School and its place on this shared Campus. The report and campaign are available through the School Choice Counts website, should you wish to have a look.

With warm wishes,

Andrew Edmondson

Principal

2026 Census and Nationally Consistent Collection of Data 

Australian Government Department for Education Census

Each year, Australian schools are required to participate in an annual Census process where we report certain information to the Commonwealth Department for Education about our students and staff (no individual names are provided).

Please refer to the Privacy Collection Notice for details in relation to this process, which includes details of the information we are required to provide, its purposes and disclosure information.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

As part of the annual Census process Australian schools are required to participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) which involves schools reporting data relating to the supports provided to students with disability. This reporting is covered by legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

No individually identifying information is provided and there is no student testing undertaken by the school - we simply report numerical summaries of information that are gathered for this process.

The information is used by the government to assist schools to:

• formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability;
• consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability; and

• develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

   

If you would like any further information about the NCCD please go to https://www.nccd.edu.au/tools/fact-sheet-parents-guardians-and-carers.

Pilgrim School Musical

Our school production of Jonah's Druthers brought the biblical story of Jonah to life with a delightful Western twist, and what a performance it was! A huge congratulations to our incredible Year 6 students, who confidently delivered their lines, entertained audiences with their fantastic accents, and shared God's message with so many people. Their enthusiasm, humour, and commitment made them an absolute joy to watch.

The whole school did an outstanding job learning and performing the musical songs. Their voices filled the auditorium, creating an atmosphere that had us all wanting to jump out of our seats and dance along!

Every class worked tirelessly to learn and perform their class dance and it was wonderful to see students supporting one another and performing together with such passion and teamwork.

Behind the scenes, our dedicated staff worked incredibly hard to ensure everything ran smoothly, from costumes and props to rehearsals and backstage organisation.

Finally, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful families for helping students learn their lines, practise their songs, organise costumes, and encourage them every step of the way. We are so grateful for your support in making Jonah's Druthers such a memorable celebration of faith, music, and community. Yee-haw!

Abbey McKennall

Musical Director, Year 5/6 Class Teacher

Musical Recording and Photo Gallery

The recording for this year's musical is now available for viewing or downloading via the following link: 

You can also access the musical photo gallery here: 

Password: musical-2026

When you open the link, please read the conditions on the first image that appears. If you are happy to proceed, click 'Back to Collection' at the top left of the screen, where you can enter the password to access the gallery.

You are welcome to download copies of these photos, but please note these images are just for personal use. You can share photos that contain ONLY your child, but you must NOT share, display publicly, post online (eg Facebook, Instagram) or otherwise use images that contain other children in them.

Enrolments for 2027 and 2028 Foundation Classes

We have recently sent information about LEAP to families with a child commencing Foundation at the start of 2027.  In addition, families with a child starting at the beginning of 2028 have been invited to book a time for an Enrolment Interview. 

If you have a child due to start school at the beginning of 2027 or 2028 and have not received the relevant email, please contact Kristen Heath at heathk@pilgrim.sa.edu.au. If you have not yet submitted an online Application for Enrolment for either of these years, please complete one as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We encourage you to share this information with friends who may be interested in enrolling their child at Pilgrim School, and to direct them to our website to book a school tour.

If you have any questions regarding enrolment, including sibling enrolment, please contact our Registrar, Kristen Heath at heathk@pilgrim.sa.edu.au or on 8270 3033.

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 pop in for a cuppa, an opportunity to chat, and some time for your child to play and explore. You can register during your first playgroup session. 

We have craft and play times. We share fruit together and end our session with a story and some songs.

Term 3 Playgroup Session Dates