Wellbeing & Inclusion 

at Willy

(Repeat)

Collective Connection - The Power of Belonging

Belonging is a fundamental part of being human; we need people and this need is hardwired into our brains. An MIT study in 2020 found we crave interactions in the same region of our brains where we crave food, and another study showed we experience social exclusion in the same region of our brain where we experience physical pain. 

There are three kinds of connections that we have with people:

1. Intimate Connections – with people who love and care for us, such as family and friends.
2. Relational Connections – with people who we see regularly and share an interest with, such as workmates, classmates, teachers and the person who serves us coffee everyday!
3. Collective Connections – with people who share a group membership or an affiliation with us, such as schools, sports clubs and the people who barrack for the same footy team as us.

Relational and collective connections are what schools thrive on. Relationships between students, staff, families and the wider community enrich our lives and increase our wellbeing. A student at Williamstown Primary School begins their collective connection and strong links to the school by identifying as a Willy Kid. Having this strong and common link from Prep to Year 6, ensures that our students have a sense of purpose and belonging, and a common goal; to be a responsible, respectful and resilient learner. This follows them because after all; Once a Willy Kid, Always a Willy Kid!

But it is not only our Willy Kids program that fosters collective connections. It is the whole school activities that bring our students together with a common purpose; to enjoy each other, enjoy the things they are learning about as a school and enjoy the benefits of connecting with all their peers; and not only the peers in their classrooms.

The Seaside Fair at Williamstown Primary School will be a wonderful celebration of collective connections, bringing together students, families, teachers, and the wider community in a shared experience of joy and collaboration. As parents and teachers volunteer at stalls, and children play games side by side, the fair will weave together individual contributions, and will be a fantastic example of community spirit. Local businesses donating prizes, and neighbours stopping by to support the school all demonstrate how these collective connections strengthen the bonds that hold a community together. These moments of connection are what make our school community so special. When we come together for events like this, we're not just raising funds for our school, we're creating lasting memories, strengthening friendships, and showing our children the power of community spirit. 

Valuing collective connections and providing opportunities for our students to belong to something bigger than themselves is something we are committed to and look forward to every term. These special days at Willy Primary are cemented in history and are almost non-negotiable because we see how important they are for our community of learners and their wellbeing. 

A Message from our SUP Leaders

Hello Parents,

The SUP Leaders will be hosting a stall at the Seaside Fair! This stall will include friendship bracelets, stickers, an instagram frame, a compliments wall, a kindness chain and colouring in activities. We would really like you to come around and have a look at all the things we have, and chat to us about our program and what we have been doing across the school.

Thanks to all the SUP leaders who are working at the stall and to the teachers who will be helping us.

Alice and Jack

Kind regards,

Lisa Leydin                                                                 Anna Swan

Assistant Principal                                                   Learning Specialist

Disability, Inclusion & Wellbeing                        Disability and Inclusion & Mental Health and                                                                                       Wellbeing (Mon-Thur)