Willy Kids are Friendly Kids

 

The Willy Kids are Friendly Kids program at Williamstown Primary School (WPS) is a comprehensive and long-standing initiative designed to support students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. This program, introduced by former principal Tilly Barger, has been central to the school’s curriculum for over 30 years. The program which was developed off the back of Helen McGrath's ‘Friendly Kids, Friendly Classrooms’, emphasises Respectful, Responsible, Resilient Learners. 

Key Components of the Willy Kids Program

  1. Four Termly Pillars:
    • Respect: Understanding and valuing others.
    • Learning: Emphasising the importance of education and personal growth.
    • Resilience: Building the ability to recover from setbacks.
    • Responsibility: Encouraging students to take ownership of their actions.
  2. Fortnightly Lessons:
    • Each topic is addressed over a two-week period.
    • Dedicated lessons of up to an hour are taught every fortnight, ideally during the first session on Monday.
    • Lessons are thoughtfully planned to meet the specific needs of the students.
  3. Recognition and Awards:
    • Willy Kid Awards: Given weekly to students who embody and display the fortnightly focus.
    • Super Kid Awards: Awarded to students demonstrating exceptional Willy Kid traits or showing a positive attitude towards a particular task.

Teaching the Termly Pillar of the Willy Kids Program is supported by fortnightly blurbs that explore and explain the value and associated traits and behaviour. The fortnightly blurbs are levelled across the school, for age-appropriate language and concepts, and maintain consistent tone and expectations. These are presented in a Slide deck, for Prep - 2, Year 3 & 4 and Year 5 & 6.

 

 

 

Integration with the Resilience, Rights, and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) Program

In addition to the Willy Kids program, WPS implements the Department of Education’s RRRR program. This program aims to develop students' emotional and relationship skills through eight Social and Emotional Learning topics covered over a two-year cycle:

  1. Emotional Literacy
  2. Personal Strengths
  3. Positive Coping
  4. Problem Solving
  5. Stress Management
  6. Help Seeking
  7. Gender & Identity
  8. Positive Gender Relationships

Teaching Schedule

  • RRRR lessons are taught fortnightly, alternating with the Willy Kids lessons.
  • Although ideally taught during the first session on a Monday, some topics might require a different time or day due to their depth. Please seek out Lisa or Anna for clarity.

Planning and Implementation

  • Lessons are planned to utilise provided resources, and elements of the Child Wise program are integrated to enhance the teaching of both the RRRR and Willy Kids programs.
  • The combined efforts of these programs form the core of Williamstown Primary School’s Wellbeing Program, ensuring a holistic approach to student development.

By combining the Willy Kids program and the RRRR framework, WPS creates a nurturing environment that supports students in becoming well-rounded individuals prepared for lifelong learning and personal growth.

All classrooms will have a Willy Kids are Friendly Kids display outlining the term and weekly focus. In addition to this, classrooms will also display a Willy Kids “snapshot” of expected behaviours: these are levelled across the school: Prep - 2, Year 3/4, Year 5/6.

 

Willy Kid Pillars and Profile

 


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