Williamstown Primary School prides itself on developing strong and resilient individuals who can navigate the challenges of the world. In doing so, we promote the need for strong leadership skills. Through our House Program, opportunities are provided for students who have displayed the ability to work within, and lead, a team.
We have four houses – Ferguson (green), Gem (red), Nelson (blue) and Reid (yellow), and within each house the members elect two captains. These students will lead their teams through a range of competitive days where they are required to organise and motivate team members. Long standing traditions such as the House Swimming Sports and House Athletics Sports see students passionately represent and support their house and their peers.
At Williamstown Primary School we feel that the development of the whole child is essential to long-term social, emotional and academic success. Leadership is a skill that we not only hold dear to our values and beliefs, but also promote, nurture and develop. To develop these skills we must provide opportunity. At Williamstown Primary one of the many opportunities for leadership experience is through our Junior School Councillor Program.
Williamstown Primary has a long-standing history of social education within a peer-to-peer environment. At the beginning of this journey is the Willy Primary Buddy Program. This program looks to support leadership and mentoring skills among our senior students, while providing guidance and support for our juniors. At Williamstown Primary all Grade 5/6 classes are paired with a Prep or Grade One class. Throughout the year these pairs will undertake structured activities together as the students look to build strong relationships across the varied age groupings.
Each Grade Prep student is assigned one or two Grade 5/6 buddies. This pairing creates the first stage of our Buddies Program. Throughout the course of the year as the buddy relationship grows, Grade 5/6 students develop their mentoring skills as they assist and guide their younger peers through the early years of primary school.
Like most things we do at Willy Primary, at the core of our Buddy Program is our Willy Kids Are Friendly Kids’ values.