From the Principal

Dear Families,

End of Term 3

Term 3 is set to finish with a bang as the school disco today is followed up by footy day.

In what has been another jam packed term, our Willy Kids have done an amazing job steamrolling through a huge amount of work and learning. 

In reviewing the term, 

• The bi-annual Bastille celebration day which kicked off the start of term seems like a distant memory, but it was a great way to commence term 3. 
• We acknowledged NAIDOC week
• Several school sporting teams play through divisional and regional finals,
• Our preps celebrated 100 days of school. 
• The Friends of Willy hosted a highly successful trivia night.
• A highlight for this term has been the most recent open afternoon. 
• The Willy Learning Challenge #5 produced some amazing projects
• Term 3 has allowed students to showcase three terms worth of learning which has been great. 
•  
• Book Week went across three weeks with our incursion, book week parade and book fair all taking place across  weeks 5-7. 
• Grade 1 students commenced their swimming program.
• Grade 2’s had school sleepovers 
• Preps had breakfast at school.

It has been a massive term of learning and experiences and I would like to thank all our families for their ongoing support of the staff and school community. We truly are blessed to have such a supportive school community.

Relaunch of Willy Kids are Friendly Kids Program

2024 is a special year for the history of the Willy Kids are Friendly Kids program as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the program. The program which was one of the first of its kind was introduced into the school by former principal, Tilly Barger inspired by Helen McGrath’s Friendly Kids, Friendly Classroom work.

Since then the program has grown, developed and evolved to become the foundation of the school’s culture. To celebrate the programs success over the years we have looked to streamline the programs branding, connecting it to our iconic school gates, while uplifting key language of the program. 

New displays and resources will now take centre stage in every classroom as the school continues to leverage the values developed 30 years ago to build the social capacity of our Willy Kids. 

Congratulations Hugh

Last week we were informed that Hugh from Year 6 has been nominated as a finalist in the 2024 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation awards. Hugh, who received the YMCA Victoria Community Team member of the year award, is passionate about wheelchair football. He is part of the Richmond FC’s Wheelchair Rookies Program where he has the opportunity to represent his beloved yellow and black Tigers.

We wish Hugh all the best on the final awards night to be held on Thursday 3rd October

Prep Breakfast - Wednesday 18th September

Held in the last week of this term, our prep students celebrated the term with their annual prep breakfast. This event is the first stage of our whole school camping program, which looks to build independence. It will be a big final week for our preps with their breakfast followed by their first school disco on Thursday and their first footy day on the last day of term.

School Disco

It is Willy Primary’s night of nights and to say that our Willy kids are pumped, would be an understatement. The scene is set and DJ Kitchen (Joel) is ready to spin that wheel. The school’s disco has been a long standing tradition that has been part of the school calendar for over 30 years. So iconic is the event that James Holt, a former student, has been supporting this event with its light and sound since he was 15. He is now 35 having graduated from the school in 1999. While working for Telstra, James works as a light and sound engineer for the local theatre company. This truly proves that once a Willy Kid, Always a Willy Kid.

Footy Day

As the AFL, and NRL seasons come to an end, the AFLW and the A League Soccer kick in.

Regardless of your sporting code, footy day is an opportunity to celebrate being part of a team and support a club. The social connections sporting organisations can help foster are a big part of Australian culture and Victorian pastimes. Regardless of one's background, culture, gender or race, being part of a team is uplifting. So on Friday we encourage all students to wear their colours that represent the team that they are passionate about.

Looking ahead to term 4

In 24 years in education I have never seen a quiet term 4, and 2024 will be no different. With an Art show,  multiple camps, excursions, swimming programs, transition, grade 6 graduation and celebration week our Willy Kids will be able to look back and see all the amazing things they have achieved. A reminder that term 4 requires all students to wear a sun smart hat (broad brimmed or legionnaire) and we recommend to families to apply sunscreen in the morning as well for extra protection.

Reminders

Grade 3/4 Composite Parent Information night

The grade 3/4 composite parent information night will be held on Wednesday 9th October at 6:30pm in the 5/6  gallery.

Art Show - October 18th & 20th October

Arguably the one of the biggest event on the school calendar, the School’s art show looks to showcase the amazing artwork of our Willy Kids while raising funds to go towards the projects that are part of the school’s buildings and grounds master plan. 

WOW, Wonders of Williamstown sees Willy Kids draw on key features of Williamstown for inspiration.

The event is split into an adults only night on the Friday and a community event on the Sunday. So note the dates in your calendar. Full details of the event can be found below.

Warm regards,

Mat