Words on Wednesday


'Teamwork makes the dreamwork.'

John C. Maxwell

12th March 2025


This week we have been looking at the charity Youth Sport Trust, the UK's leading charity for improving the education and development of every child through play and sport.  Many sports involve being part of a team, but what makes a good team? Watch the animation and discuss with your class what qualities each individual needs to be part of a successful team. 


John Maxwell wrote a book about teamwork and while there are many types of teams, he believed that there are a number of characteristics that effective teams have.  He called these traits the 10c's.


Discuss what each of these words mean.  Do you have these traits?

Teamwork is important because it teaches us amazing skills that we can use for the rest of our lives. There are many occasions when we can achieve more by working together. Examples might include:


- us working as a team with our teachers to learn

- sportspeople working with their trainers to get ready for competitions

- builders working together to build a house

- children working well together on sports day to win the race 

Consider what you can do to be a better team player and see what you can achieve. 

'Stories are the most important thing in the world. Without stories, we wouldn't be human beings at all.'

Philip Pullman

5th March 2025


Tomorrow we are celebrating 'World Book Day', a really important day to promote reading for pleasure. But why is reading so important? The answer to this must be the power of the written word to stoke the imagination, enrich the soul, inspire generations, share information, and transport the mind.

Through reading we learn about others, we learn to empathise, we are taught about new places, new concepts, new ways of thinking and we discover new things about ourselves… all from the comfort of our own seat, wherever that may be.

Food, glorious food

26th February 2025


This week we have been discussing the importance of food and looking at the different charities that help ensure that all children have enough to eat.  To help us achieve well in school we need to make sure we fuel our bodies.  Our food provides the energy we need to concentrate, stay focused and remember our learning.  


Sadly, many children do not have enough food, just like the children in the musical Oliver.  This song is sung from the view of the children who were deprived of proper nutrition.  When the children arrive for breakfast they are served only tasteless gruel so they fantasize about the food they would like to be eating instead.  


We need to appreciate the food we are lucky enough to have each day and make sure we are not wasteful because not everyone is as fortunate as we are. 

Food, glorious food! Hot sausage and mustard 

While we’re in the mood, cold jelly and custard 

Pease pudding and saveloys, what next is the question? 

Rich gentlemen have it boys – in-di-gestion! 

Food glorious food! We’re anxious to try it 

Three banquets a day, our favourite diet 

Just picture a great big steak, fried, roasted or stewed 

Oh food, wonderful food, marvellous food Glorious food! 


Food, glorious food! What is there more handsome? 

Gulped, swallowed or chewed, still worth a King’s ransom 

What is it we dream about, what brings on a sigh? 

Piled peaches and cream about six feet high! 

Food, glorious food! Eat right through the menu 

Just loosen your belt two inches, and then you 

Work up a new appetite in this interlude, then 

Food, once again, food, fabulous food 

Glorious food! 

Golden-Rule-Poster.pdf

Be the reason someone smiles today

12th February 2025


This week we heard the parable of 'The Good Samaritan' in assembly and thought about the ways in which we could help someone in need.  The following saying hold a lot of meaning about how we should treat other people.  Discuss them with your class and what they mean to you. 


'Love your neighbour as much as you love yourself'


'Do unto others as you would like them to do to you'


Many religions have similar sayings that mean the same thing.  They are all based around something called an ethics of reciprocity, meaning that you should reciprocate to others how you would like them to treat you.


The Golden Rule is used in many religions and outlines the principle of treating others as one would want to be treated by them. Have a look at the poster and see how this is communicated in each religion. 


'Positive vibes only isn't a thing.  Humans have a wide range of emotions and that's ok.'

Molly Bahr

5th February 2025


This week is Children's Mental Health week, so we are focusing on helping you to speak up about your emotions and build your self awareness.  The theme this year is 'Know yourself, Grow yourself'.  "Know Yourself, Grow Yourself" is all about how we can build and grow our resilience by understanding ourselves and recognising our emotions. By understanding who we are, we can find out what makes us feel happy, or sad, or anxious, or scared - or maybe all of them at once! In assembly we looked at the Inside Out 2 characters and thought about how the different emotions made us feel.  


Exploring and embracing self-awareness can support how we feel and our wellbeing.  This helps us grow and develop.  Take some time to think about your think about these questions.


What makes me feel excited?

What makes me feel worried?

When do I feel safe?

What do I love learning about?

What new things would I like to try?

What advice would I give myself?

What will I do when faced with a challenging situation?


'No one has ever become poor by giving.'

Anne Frank

29th January 2025


This week we are thinking about what 'giving means'.  In the dictionary giving means 'the act of providing money for something, especially to a charity or other good cause'.  However giving can be so much more.  We could spend time with someone, volunteer to help out, donate items to charity, carry out a simple kind act such as holding open a door for someone, make someone laugh or give someone a compliment.  The quote from Anne Frank above means that generosity and kindness do not make a person poor; rather, it brings joy and happiness in one's life. Generosity and kindness are qualities that we can practice in our daily lives. 

Please have a read this week of the poems about giving and discuss your thoughts and how they make you feel. 

A Giving Heart

Poet: C. A. Lynch


A giving heart is a treasure to hold,

It warms the spirit and makes the soul bold.

In caring for others, our joy grows,

We build friendships and foster kinship flows.


Through kindness and generosity, we find,

Our well-being is enriched, our hearts aligned.

Giving helps create a world that shines,

Where love and compassion intertwine. 

A Giving Person

Poet: C. A. Lynch


To be a giving person is a gentle art,

A heart that seeks to play a selfless part.

It's sharing with open hands and open heart,

And sowing seeds of love in every part.

For giving is not just about what we give away,

But the warmth, the care, and the light we display. 

Givng Is The Key

Poet: C. A. Lynch


In a world where giving is the key,

A tale unfolds of generosity.

A heart that beats for more than just its own,

In the act of giving, seeds of love are sown.


Not confined by the bounds of self,

A soul that seeks to share its wealth.

In unselfish deeds, a beauty shines bright,

Illuminating the darkest night.


A helping hand, a gentle smile,

Can stretch across a weary mile.

For in giving, we truly receive,

A joy that words can never deceive. 

'Sure I'm helping the elderly. I'm going to be old myself someday.'

Lillian Gordy Carter

22nd January 2025


This week we are considering the importance of caring for the elderly.   The elderly sometimes become the forgotten generation when the busy lives of adults and children come into play. Loneliness occurs in 43% of seniors, leading to an increased risk of declining health. However, experts suggest that getting children and seniors together regularly has benefits for both age groups.  Research shows that the children have a lot to learn from their elders as they can share their wisdom but similarly, children can share their enthusiasm and youthful point of view.  


There are plenty of ways you can get involved with helping, such as helping your grandparents, giving assistance to an elderly neighbour or visiting a local nursing home, just as some of you did before Christmas.  See if you can do one of these ideas below. 


1. Develop an Interest in your Family History

How much do you know about your family tree? Learning from an elder in the family can be the best place to start, as they'll be able to tel you the of names, relationships, and fun family anecdotes that could never be found in a library.

On your next trip to visit the grandparents, see if they can share what they remember about the family with you. Suggest showing you some old photo albums or hand-me-downs that give you a glimpse into your family's past. 

2. Make Gifts for the Elderly 

Handmade gifts can brighten up anyone's day. Jot down some ideas of gifts for the elderly you can make or gift baskets to put together. For example, a basket with a snuggly blanket, some books, and puzzle games can be perfect for seniors in nursing homes. Or, make handmade holiday ornaments, decorations for their homes, or knitted scarves or blankets. Our Pupil Parliament Representatives organised a bake sale for the residents at Anderton Place just before Christmas and the residents loved receiving the cakes you made. 

3. Help an Elderly Neighbor

Do you have an elderly neighbor who lives alone? Offer to bring over dinner a couple of nights a week or make a trip to the shop to get items on their grocery list. Even a quick check-in or phone call each day can show them you care.

4. Teach Them Technology

You are growing up in a digital world that's much different than the one elders grew up in. Can you show off your skills while teaching a grandparent or elderly neighbor how to use a phone, computer, or tablet. The elder will likely appreciate learning something new, and you can feel more confident in your own abilities.

There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others

Mandy Hale

15th January 2025


This term we are thinking about caring for others and have been considering small acts of kindness that we can do to help make a difference to someone else's life. The unselfish acts we do don't have to be big to make a difference.  In fact, most often it's the small things that create big results. Edward Everett Hale said:


"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. "


Can you choose a few ideas from the pictures to try and complete this week.  Notice how it makes someone else feel but also how it makes you feel too. 

Falling in life is ok, you just need to get back up again


11th December 2024


Swapping her career as a schoolteacher to focus on her Olympic dream, Jessie Knight’s perseverance to continue doing what she loves is nothing less than inspiring. After having to isolate when arriving in Tokyo, Jessie faced a tough start to her Olympic journey. There was an initial false start of the 400m hurdle heat and the race had to be restarted, where Jessie then missed her footing and fell at the first hurdle. On Twitter, Jessie said the sport had broken her but she was looking forward to getting back over the hurdles. She then quoted ‘Falling in life is okay, you just need to get back up again’, showing that it's ok to fail or make mistakes, but we need to not allow these from putting us off from having another go.   Remember failure is a stepping stone to success. 

How to share your beliefs in a respectful way

Always stand up for what you believe is right

4th December 2024


The German gymnastic team decided to wear full-body suits in their qualifications because they wanted to continue to make a stand against how women often dressed in their sport. They chose the unitards that completely covered their arms and legs to show that every woman should have the right to choose what makes them feel most comfortable while competing.


What things do you believe to be right? Perhaps you want to fix something local - a problem that you’ve identified in your community - or something global, like climate change. Whatever it is, think about how you can stand up for your beliefs and make a difference. You could write down a list of ideas - are there any that you could start today?

Sometimes it can be difficult to stand up for our beliefs due to pressure from those around us - our friends, our family, our classmates.  This can stop us from putting our beliefs into action.  Be proud of what you believe in and try to have the courage of your convictions to act upon your beliefs.  

Real courage is being afraid but doing it anyway

27th November 2024


GB’s Charlotte Worthington, a former chef from Manchester, who only took up BMX seriously five years ago, won the gold medal in the BMX freestyle final with an incredibly brave performance. In her first run, she fell attempting to land her key move. Instead of opting for a less difficult second run, she went totally for broke landing an absolutely perfect 360-degree backflip – the first woman ever to do so in a competition – and throwing in a load of other difficult tricks for good measure! 


Courage is about acknowledging that life can be uncertain and frightening. Sometimes we have to feel the fear and do it anyway - by taking sensible risks. Unhelpful thoughts can get in the way of 'Finding your Brave'. Can you list the kinds of things that might stand in the way. (I’d like to…but, I want to…but, I don’t like it when…. but) then try to rewrite each of these statements by turning them into something more positive. 

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.” Mark Twain

“Without fear there cannot be courage” – Christopher Paolini 

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.”― Mary Anne Radmacher

Trust your instinct and keep it simple

20th November 2024


This week we are thinking about trusting your instincts.  But what are our instincts?


Instinct are something that are quite natural, a way of behaving, thinking or feeling that is not learned.  Our intuition is our inner compass that helps us to manage situations with a feeling of what is right for us.  It is an awareness of our own senses, the feelings of butterflies in our stomach or suddenly being aware of our own heartbeat or breathing.  Our bodies respond in different ways in certain situations, such as a faster heartbeat and quicker breathing when we are feeling scared or anxious. 


Learning to trust our instincts and use our best judgement is really important and has the potential to help keep us safe plus build our confidence and self esteem. 


This is a photograph of Yusuf Dikec, Turkey’s air pistol athlete.  The 51-year-old silver medallist went viral for his laid-back demeanour during his event where he was captured with his air pistol raised in one hand, his other hand in his pocket, without any ear or eye protection, taking a very relaxed approach to competing. There’s a lot to be said for trusting your gut and believing in yourself.


If like, Yusuf, you believe in your physical abilities, your inner strength will soon follow.   Intuition can tell you when a friendship in school isn’t right; like if a peer asks you to do something they don’t want to do or makes you feel uncomfortable. Recognising and listening to your intuition can help you to avoid a friendship or decision that doesn’t feel right. Intuition will also help you with maintaining friendships that are positive and removing yourself from situation that don't make you feel good about yourself.  Intuition can also tell you when something is more threatening, like a virtual friend asking you to do something you are uncomfortable with.  


There is an old saying 'Trust your Gut' that refers to trusting these feelings of intuition, often as a way of staying true to yourself and not being influenced by other people to perhaps making a decision that doesn't feel right for you. 

Choose words that heal, not words that steal.

13th November 2024


This week is anti-bullying week, so I have found some great slogans to help get the message across, that bullying is not ok.  Slogans are short and striking or memorable phrases used in advertising to grab your attention and convey a clear message to your audience.  Have a read of the slogans below then see if you can follow the hints and tips to have a go at creating your own slogan about bullying. 



Create your own slogan



Please come and share any slogans you create. 

ABW Poster 2024_0.pdf

Never Underestimate the Power of Positive Words

6th November 2024


Believe it or not, positive words have the power to completely change our mindset and that’s all too true for the British triathlete, Alex Yee. On the brink of defeat in the men’s triathlon final, Alex was running in second position and struggling to bridge the 14 second gap between himself and New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde. With just 2.5km to go, he heard his training partner and fellow Olympic gold-medallist, Alistair Brown-Lee, shout ‘anything can happen mate’ After hearing these words of encouragement, Alex dug deep and overtook Hayden, claiming the gold medal for himself. Sometimes, all we need is a little belief. 


Have you ever said something then regretted saying it? At some point, we have all done this. It can leave us with uncomfortable feelings and have a negative effect on the person we said it to. Before we say something, we should always think of the consequences of what we say and how it might make people feel. 


Kind words and compliments have the power to change how people feel about themselves and give that power of happiness to others. Can you try to use these sentence starters to help you use positive words this week, giving people compliments and commenting on the good you see in others. 


When we speak positively to others, we are not only positively impacting their growth, but we are creating a positive environment and producing a reciprocity that impacts our own growth as well. Words have power. They shape our thoughts, our thoughts shape our feelings, and our feelings shape our actions.



True Winners Cheer Each Other On

23rd October 


We’ve all seen that incredible viral photo of USA’s Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowing down to Brazil’s gold medallist, Rebeca Andrade, after the gymnastics floor final. Instead of feeling disappointed that neither of them nabbed the gold for themselves, Simone and Jordan celebrated their ‘queen’ Rebeca and not only her fantastic win but also it being the first ever gymnastics podium with three black women. One of the finest examples of sportsmanship we’ve seen at the Paris Olympics!


Comparison is a common struggle. Either we get prideful because we are doing it better or feel inadequate because we don’t measure up. Let’s stop wasting our energy comparing. Instead let’s cheer each other on and remember that we are all unique and have different strengths. We can be our own worst critics at times so it can be hugely uplifting to have someone point out something positive about our actions in a genuine way that builds our confidence and self belief.


Cheering others' successes is one of five elements of the Mindset. It is grounded in being happy for others when they make progress and then generating excitement when they do succeed. When we do cheer others, they will return the favour and encourage us on our path to success.

Positivity in Action

Positivity In Action is any time someone is building a positive relationship or tapping into a character strength to become their best self. 

These are the five elements intended to help people understand ways to build positive relationships in their own lives: identifying and appreciating the good in others, knowing my words and actions affect others, supporting others when they struggle, cheering others’ successes, and being present and giving others my attention. 

See if you can find opportunities this week to help build positive relationships with others.


Can you:

We all have the power to change our story

16th October 

Sometimes in life we’re faced with the choice to overcome adversity or to give up and Britain’s trampolining gold medallist, Bryony Page, was at that crossroad not all that long ago. The first ever British athlete to win not just gold, but any medal in trampolining, it would be easy to think trampolining comes easy with her impressive routines. Little did we know Bryony had to completely re-learn her sport to get there in the first place, having experienced ‘lost move syndrome’ where the athlete gets confused in the air. At one point, Bryony wasn’t even able to complete a front somersault and spent an entire year re-learning how to trampoline. The commitment and determination to get back to doing what she loved is nothing short of awe-inspiring.



There are times when things get difficult for us and it would seem much easier to give up. Sometimes children and adults alike can be heard to say, ‘I can't be bothered,’ or ‘It's too hard.’  Life is not always easy, and we must learn to cope when things do not run smoothly. There are times when we need to make a special effort in order to achieve our goals.

Great milestones in history have been achieved because the people involved have shown true determination. Great leaders determined to overcome the wrong they see, scientists who don’t give up looking for answers, artists who believe in their talent when no one else does, people who hold on to their faith through difficult times. Without these people we would not have things like penicillin (Alexander Fleming) and other antibiotic medicines. The development of X-rays (Marie Curie) and scanners has helped in the treatment of life-threatening diseases. The discovery of electricity (Michael Faraday) has made an enormous difference to the way in which we live. Transport over long distances has been made possible by the invention of trains, cars and aeroplanes. Communications have been vastly improved by the invention of telephones, televisions and computers. All these things and many more make life so much easier for us, and we take them for granted. But they have been brought about by the sheer hard work and determination of their inventors, who in spite of setbacks never gave up.

Your story is still unwritten, you have the power to determine where your story will take you and with hard work, commitment and determination anything is possible. 

Sometimes taking a break means you can come back stronger

9th October 

USA's Simone Biles needed to take a break for her mental health after withdrawing from the Tokyo olympics but made an unbelievable comeback and flipped her way to not just one, not two, but three gold medals (and a silver to boot) becoming the most decorated US female gymnast of all time. A brilliant example of how taking time to work on yourself and making yourself a priority is never a bad thing. 

Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day so we want you to try and find plenty of opportunities throughout the day to 'take a break', completing a mindfullness activity.  Taking regular, mindful breaks throughout the day helps to not only improve your concentration and overall productivity but importantly it helps you recharge your energy, refresh your mind, relax your body and increase your happiness. 

If you work hard enough you will get there in the end

2nd October 


Keely Hodgkinson, the 22 year old British runner, grabbed her first ever gold medal in the women's 800m track race  at the Paris Olympics 2024.  Keely had previously missed out on many top spots in other major tournaments but she didn't let this deter her and just continued to put in the hard work to help her achieve her dream.  One of our responsibilities at Kingsmead is to 'Work hard and enjoy our success' and this week it was lovely to celebrate the children who had continued to put in the hard work with their reading over the summer holiday and successfully complete the Summer Reading Challenge. 

Although work is hard, it is actually good for you.  Find out below why work is good for you.


Work is an important and necessary part of life. Let’s think about this statement carefully for a moment. Let’s think about some of the jobs that we consider to be important in our society. Work is necessary for our survival and well-being.


Work can be creative. Many people are imaginative and can generate original or artistic ideas. People like this find work in the creative industries: fashion designers, artists, musicians, film directors, actors and so on.


Work can be hard. Imagine working in a hospital’s emergency department and having to deal with the suffering of those who attend. There is no doubt that some jobs are demanding in a physical way, whereas others can leave people feeling mentally exhausted.


Work is good for us. It gives us purpose in life, enables us to support ourselves financially, gives us status and, depending on the job, can bring us into relationships with other people. This, in turn, can lead to a sense of community and the development of teamwork.

Be active and develop a growth mindset

25th September 


This term we are being inspired by the Paris Olympics, taking on board important life lessons we can learn from the athletes who competed.  One aspect of having a positive mindset is to ensure we are getting plenty of exercise and physical activity.  Exercise is anything that gets your body active and makes you a bit out of breath. Being active is good for both your body and your mind. Physical activity strengthens your muscles and bones, keeps you body healthy and in shape and can help to reduce the risk of various illnesses.   However, physical activity is also beneficial to your mental health. Experts believe that physical activity enables you to have a better outlook on life by building confidence, managing anxiety, and increasing self-esteem and cognitive skills. Exercise also releases endorphins, which help to make you feel happy.  When you exercise it releases little ‘feel good’ signals in your brain and gives you a positive boost.

Can you find some extra time this week to be more active?  Are you walking, biking or scooting to school this week? See if this helps to improve your mood on arrival to school.  Do you feel more positive after an active start to the day? 

The athletes we have been finding out about all have a growth mindset and recognise that to be successful they need to:

A growth mindset is how much you believe your basic qualities, like intelligence and talent, can be changed or developed. A fixed mindset is how much you believe your basic qualities are fixed or permanent.  If the competitors in the Paris Olympics believed their talents were fixed, they certainly wouldn't have been representing their countries at the Olympics.  Use the images below to help you consider how you can have a growth mindset and work on developing your skills and talents.  You never know, maybe you will be the focus of one of our assemblies in years to come! 


You are never too young or old to chase your dreams

18th September 


The phrase ‘age is just number’ certainly couldn’t be truer at this Olympics 2024 with the British Skateboarding team. With a 35-year age gap, the skateboarding team included Sky Brown and Lola Tambling, both 16-years old, and Andy Macdonald who celebrated his 51st birthday the day he travelled to Paris. It goes to show it’s never too early or too late in life to follow your heart and chase your dreams!


During the Olympics, Sky Brown became a role model for young girls around the world wanting to take up skateboarding. It was only last year she fell from a ramp during training and fractured her skull, and not only that, she broke her arm before her Olympic qualifier coming first whilst wearing a cast! None of that stopped the 13-year-old skateboarder from chasing her dream. After winning a bronze medal, Sky officially became the country’s youngest-ever Olympic medallist. Go, Sky!


What are your dreams? What do you aspire to be as you grow up? 


Having aspirations, dreams and goals give us something to aim for.  They are challenging and exciting. Everyone of us can choose to get better at something or learn a completely new skill.  However, your goals need breaking down into smaller steps to help you achieve them.  Look at the example below and see if you can make a plan for a goal or dream you have.


It's helpful to create a S.M.A.R.T. goal. Goals that are 'SMART' are Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic and Timebound.  

Showing Emotion is a Strength

12th September 

We all have a wide range of emotions and showing and feeling these emotions is ok.  Some emotions we might feel every day and others just sometimes.  Our feelings can also come and go, and change over time.  What emotions can you name and what emotions do you recognise in other people?

Noticing our emotions and being able to manage the way we respond to them are crucial skills we all need and by strengthening skills and capabilities in these areas we are able to manage conflict more easily and make more effective choices including developing healthy eating, sleeping and exercise habits. 

See if you can notice this week what different emotions you feel.  How many different words can you use to describe these emotions? 

Gratitude    Surprise    Boredom    Jealousy    Optimism    Excitement    Happiness    Calmness    Sadness     Disappointment    Worry    Confidence    Anger    Frustration    Pride 

What do these words mean to you?  What words or images come to mind when we hear that word? How might someone feel if they are experiencing this emotion? Where might they feel it in their body?

Useful and Kind

5th September 

If being useful and kind was an olympic sport, I would like to think that Kingsmead Primary School children would all be winning a gold medal.  Therefore this year we are going to start awarding medals to recognise just that.

In the Autumn Term we focus on caring for ourselves so we are going to be recognising the children who are being kind to themselves.  Each and every act we do that is of use to us in some way, no matter how big or small, translates to positive progression in our lives. So, being useful to ourselves is being kind to ourselves, and brings us closer to leading a meaningful and purposeful life. 


Showing ourselves kindness has been shown to:


Ego or Eco

10th July 

Are you ego or eco?

Ego is to rule over, to be in charge, on top.

Eco is to think of others (people and other species) as equal. Eco is to treat the world with kindness and respect. 

In assembly this week we have been discussing buying Fair Trade products and considering how the choices we make can impact on others and the world.  When you buy Fairtrade you treat farmers and workers fairly and everyone benefits. Fair trade helps businesses source products that are ethically and sustainably produced while giving consumers confidence that the people behind the products they buy get a fair deal for their hard work. 


In life we have lots of choices to make on a daily basis.  I wonder if you can always consider whether your choice is Ego or Eco.  Look at these scenarios below and decide if the children are being ecologists or egotists. 

Earth Shakers

26th June 

The world is facing numerous environmental challenges today, from climate change and deforestation to pollution and biodiversity loss. However, among the chaos and destruction, there are countless inspiring stories of individuals and communities who are committed to preserving our planet and fighting for a sustainable future. These activists/earth shakers work tirelessly to protect and restore ecosystems, raise awareness about environmental issues, and advocate for sustainable practices.   How are you going to shake things up?

Wangari Maathai 

One of the most inspiring stories in environmental conservation is that of Wangari Maathai. She founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya in 1977, mobilizing local women to plant trees in order to combat deforestation and soil erosion. Maathai understood the deep connection between nature and society, emphasizing the importance of empowering women and protecting the environment. Her efforts not only led to the planting of more than 30 million trees but also contributed to women's rights, poverty alleviation, and environmental education. 

Paul Watson

Paul Watson is the founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an organization that has been at the forefront of marine wildlife conservation since its establishment in 1977. Watson and his crew operate on the principle of "aggressive non-violence," using direct action tactics to protect endangered animals like whales, seals, and turtles. Their efforts have included disrupting illegal fishing activities, campaigns against unsustainable whaling practices, and the removal of abandoned fishing gear that endangers marine life. 

Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg is a young climate activist from Sweden who has captured the world's attention with her unwavering determination in raising awareness about the climate crisis. At the age of 15, she started school strikes every Friday, demanding decisive action from political leaders. Thunberg's speeches have inspired millions of young people worldwide to join the Fridays for Future movement. Her passionate advocacy has ignited a global awakening and propelled climate change to the top of the political agenda. 

Biodiversity

12th June 

This week we have been finding out about biodiversity and the number of species that are endangered.  Imagine never being able to see your favourite animal again, only in a museum.  Below is a poem about an animal that existed a very long time ago.  Dodos were first seen by Europeans in 1598. But they were hunted it for meat and their habitat was destroyed; the last Dodo was seen alive less than 100 years later, in 1662.

The Dodo used to walk around,

And take the sun and air,

The sun yet warms his native ground - 

The Dodo is not there!


The voice which used to squawk and squeak

Is now forever dumb -

Yet may you see his bones and beak

All in the Mu-se-um.

What sort of poem do you think this is? Funny? Sad? Perhaps both? How do you think poets might write about extinct animals today? 

Conservation

22nd May 2024


Conservation - the careful preservation and protection of something. especially : planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect. 

Our words this week come from Sir David Attenborough.  Sir David has always said he didn't start making programmes with conservation in mind - he simply enjoyed observing the natural world. But as time passed, he became aware that the animals and habitats he was filming were under threat. Sir David Attenborough has gone on to inspired millions of people by bringing the natural world into our homes and classrooms.  So this week I have selected some of his 'wise words' for us to think about and help us to really consider the part we have to play in protecting the planet. 

"What we do in the next few years will profoundly affect the next few thousand years. ' 'We depend upon the natural world for every mouthful of food that we eat and indeed every lungful of air that we breathe."

“The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water and air. It is the most precious thing we have and we need to defend it.” 

"It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living." 


"It's surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth."


“Young people - they care. They know that this is the world that they're going to grow up in, that they're going to spend the rest of their lives in. But, I think it's more idealistic than that. They actually believe that humanity, human species, has no right to destroy and despoil regardless.” 


 “People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure.” 

Reduce means to minimise the amount of waste we create.

Reuse refers to using items more than once.

Recycle means putting a product to a new use instead of throwing it away.

Rethink is about considering how our actions affect the environment.

Recover refers to the practice of putting waste products to use.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

1st May 2024


Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – these three 'R' words are an important part of sustainable living, as they help to cut down on the amount of waste we have to throw away.

It's Really simple!

Using the 3 'R's also helps to minimise the amount of space needed for landfill sites, where waste materials are disposed of.

Are there any more 'R's?

Sometimes, two more 'R's can be added to the three basic ones.


Can you think of any more?  Refuse, Repurpose ...

Our Earth

24th April 2024


This week we have learnt about Earth Day that took place on Monday 22nd April.  First held on April 22, 1970, Earth Day is an annual event  to demonstrate support for environmental protection.  Our planet is an amazing place, but it needs our help to thrive! This year's theme is Planet vs. Plastics, calling on us to advocate for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, rapidly phase out all single use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and demand an end to fast fashion.  Listen to the music on Monday and read the poem, and think about all of the things on Earth that are so precious and that we need for earth to thrive.  


Earth Day

by Jane Yolen


I am the Earth

And the Earth is me.

Each blade of grass,

Each honey tree,

Each bit of mud,

And stick and stone

Is blood and muscle,

Skin and bone.


And just as I 

Need every bit

Of me to make

My body fit,

So Earth needs

Grass and stone and tree

And things that grow here

Naturally.


That's why we

Celebrate this day.

That's why across

The world we say:

As long as life,

As dear, as free,

I am the Earth

And the Earth is me.

Disabilities

27th March 2024


This week we have been thinking about disabilities and understanding further about the things that make us different.  In assembly I shared the book 'We're all Wonders' about a little boy with a facial abnormality, and what it must be like to live in his world - a world in which he feels like any other child, but he's not always seen that way.  All children want to belong and be seen for who they truly are, so we need to treat each other with kindness. I have taken some quotes from the book 'Wonder' for you all to think about this week and inspire you to always choose kindness. 


1. “When given the choice between being right or being kind choose kind.”


2. “Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.”


3. “Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”


4. “It’s not enough to be friendly. You have to be a friend.”


5. “The best way to measure how much you've grown isn't by inches or the number of laps you can now run around the track, or even your grade point average-- though those things are important, to be sure. It's what you've done with your time, how you've chosen to spend your days, and whom you've touched this year. That, to me, is the greatest measure of success.” 


6. “We carry with us, as human beings, not just the capacity to be kind, but the very choice of kindness.”


7. “It's what you've done with your time, how you've chosen to spend your days, and whom you've touched this year. That, to me, is the greatest measure of success.” 


Neurodiversity

20th March 2024


This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week.  A week to celebrate the strengths and talents of people with learning differences and one way of reminding everyone of the importance of being kind,  tolerant and accepting of everyone.


Think about all of the children in your own class.  Have you noticed that everyone thinks, learns and processes information differently?


Neurodiversity is based on the idea that everyone has a differently-wired brain and their own unique way of thinking and experiencing the world.


Neurodiversity is about recognising and respecting that we don’t all learn the same way. Differences in the way our brains are wired means that you may find some things challenging that others find easy. You may also find things easy that other people find challenging.


Some of the different ways of thinking, learning, interacting and perceiving the world have been given labels, such as:


What Can You Do To Help?

Don’t tease or make fun of anyone in your class who is different or who is finding something difficult.


Instead, be kind, understanding and encouraging. 


Never forget that you have the power to make a positive difference to someone who may be having a difficult time. 





Discrimination

13th March 2024


In assembly this week we talked about race.  Race can mean a person’s colour, nationality, ethnicity or citizenship.  Someone’s ethnicity or national origin may not be the same as their current nationality. For example, someone may have Indian national origins and be living in Britain with a British passport.  Race includes different ethnic and racial groups. 


Racial discrimination or racism is when someone is treated differently because of their race, ethnicity, nationality or colour.   As young children it's natural to notice difference but we need to understand, respect and appreciate the differences between people, so we are better able to see when things are unfair or unjust and do something about it.  We are all unique and need to value and recognise this. 


This week I am sharing a poem with you about being unique.  When you've read it think about what make you unique and how you have been shaped by the different influences on your life. 


All About You

6th March 2024


I shared with you this week in assembly what the Ofsted inspectors, who have recently visited our school, said about you in their report.  We are so proud that they recognised what a 'useful and kind' bunch you are and really want to thank you for showing them your very best qualities.  Below are some of the words they used to describe you and your behaviour and attitudes in and around school. 


Exemplary behaviour - worthy of imitation; serving as a perfect model or example. Behaviour that is praiseworthy and is an example of the right way to be.  

Responsible - is able to answer for one's conduct and obligations; trustworthy; able to choose for oneself between right and wrong. 

Helpful - giving or ready to give help. 

Highly respectful - characterised by courtesy and gracious good manners, someone who is humble and not arrogant or prideful. 

Polite - having or showing behaviour that is respectful and considerate of other people. 

Courteous - polite, respectful, or considerate in manner. 

Considerate - someone who is considerate pays attention to the needs, wishes, or feelings of other people. 

Generosity

28th February 2024


This week in assembly we thought about how we could we generous.  Generosity is the quality of being kind and generous, but not necessarily about just being generous in terms of money.  Instead we explored the different ways we could be generous by giving our time to others, forgiving people when they have made a mistake, sharing a compliment, working together to help each other or share our knowledge.  


I wanted to share two new words with you this week which link to being generous.  They are:


Ubuntu - Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning 'humanity to others'.  It is about the essence of being human, it is part of the gift that Africa will give the world. It embraces hospitality, caring about others, being willing to go the extra mile for the sake of another. 


Almsgiving - During Lent, Christians are asked to focus more intently on "almsgiving," which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. Lent is a time for service, for generosity.  This is about finding out who needs help and providing it, whether it be jobs, company or advice, or showing our generosity by buying gifts for others.



Love and Kindness

14th February 2024


Happy Valentine’s Day

Often on Valentine’s Day when we use the word love, most people think of romantic love, but there is far more to it. In fact, the ancient Greeks had as many as 30 different words to describe the shades of emotion that we try to contain in the one word, ‘love’. This week in assemblies we have been thinking about love and kindness.  But what is love and kindness? Simply put, Kindness is love in action. It is taking the love you have in your heart and giving it away to another. To be kind is to be caring, generous, helpful, and supportive of others. Kindness doesn't have to be a grand gesture. Even the smallest acts of kindness have the power to transform someone's day.


Every act of Love and Kindness counts!

- Kindness is free

- Everyone, everywhere can become kinder

- Practising kindness every day makes us kinder and creates a better world for all

- Every act of kindness, no matter how small, makes a huge difference!


One recognised type of love is agape, and this is possibly the most important of all. Agape is selfless, undeserving and generous. It’s the kind of love that makes people volunteer for the jobs that nobody else wants to do. It’s the kind of love that is concerned for the needs of other people less fortunate than ourselves. 

Now you understand a little more about love and kindness, have a think about how you can demonstrate love and kindness to:

1 Yourself - have a positive attitude and think ‘I can, allow yourself to make mistakes.

2 Others - volunteering to help someone else, hold a door open, smile at everyone, give a compliment.

3 The World - pick up some litter, plant something, feed the birds, don’t use single use plastic. 

Rights and Responsibilities

6th February 2024

Did you know that, all children have special rights? We discussed some of these in assembly this week and had a look at the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

Let’s look at article 12. It says that all children (so that includes you!) have the right to have a view or opinion about something, and that grown-ups should listen to you and take your views and opinions seriously. Is there something that you feel strongly about that you would like to share? When we have an opinion about something, we can tell other people and use our voice to create the change we want to see. Sometimes we can use our voice to make a big difference in the world, but equally important is the way we use our voice to make a difference in small, everyday ways. 

Rights - A right is something a person has which people think should not be taken away. It is a rule about what a person is allowed to do or have. A right is different from a privilege, which is something that must be earned. 

Responsibilities - The state or fact of being responsible, answerable, or accountable for something within one's power, control, or management.


Whilst it's important that your voice is heard and you are listened to, we must remember that with the right to have our own views and opinions comes the responsibility of not using them to cause harm or upset to others.  

Peace and Harmony

31st January 2024

This week we have been thinking about peace and harmony ready for World Interfaith Harmony Week.  World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed every year in the first week of February. The goal of the week long celebration is to promote harmony between the citizens of the world, regardless of their faith.  It is a celebration of unity in diversity, and the divine connection between people and their faith. We want everyone to realise that we have more in common than those things that divide us, that our common values of love, faith and kindness easily outweigh our differences.  With patience and humility, we could all make the world a wonderful place to live in. 

Respect

24th January 2024

We have been thinking about showing respect for ourselves, to others, for our learning and for school property this week.  

Respect is 

Read the poem and consider how you are going to show respect this week. 

Equality

17th January 2024

We have been discussing the difference between equality and equity in our assemblies, and yesterday we looked at the Equality Act 2010.  Equality can be seen as the end goal.  But equality can't be achieved without equity, which refers to treating people fairly, according to their individual needs.  We are all different people, with different needs, but underneath those differences, we are all humans striving for happiness. We are united in our belief that all people deserve the same opportunities to follow their dreams and experience the world, no matter how different we are from one another. 

What is Fair?

10th January 2024


Equality or Equity? 

In assembly we discussed these two words.  Can you remember what they mean?

Equality - Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. 

Equity - Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. 

For things to be fair to everyone in our world, we need to understand that people have different needs, situations and goals and that some people may have additional barriers and challenges. Therefore to be fair, we need to achieve equity by removing any barriers and that requires giving different people different things so everyone can achieve their full potential. 

Resolutions

3rd January 2024


Resolution - A firm decision to do or not to do something 

Creating New Year’s resolutions is a tradition that many people participate in around the beginning of the New Year on January 1st. The start of a new year is seen as a new beginning or a fresh start and therefore can be used as an opportunity to think about goals we would like to achieve over the coming months.  

People have been using the start of a new year to make positive changes in their lives for a long time. For instance, in Ancient Rome, people used to make promises to the gods that they would return any borrowed items and pay back their outstanding debts. Most of these promises were made to Janus, which is where the month January gets its name. Whether any of these promises lasted into February is still anyone’s guess! Since the days of Ancient Rome, New Year’s resolutions have grown a lot in popularity. In the early part of the 20th Century, only around a quarter of people made a resolution. These days, that figure is closer to 40%!

Are you going to make any resolutions for this year? This term we are going to be thinking about 'caring for others' so perhaps you could think about how your resolution could care for someone else.  

Altruism

13th December 2023


In assembly last week we thought about the word 'Altruism' and what it means.  

Altruism is the selfless act of helping others without expecting anything in return. It is often considered one of the defining characteristics of what it means to be human. 

With Christmas just around the corner, I want you to take some time to think about how you might help out at home over this busy time.  Your parents and carers will be working hard to ensure you have a lovely time, so what might you do to give back.  At Christmas many people think about what they're going to get, will they get the present they really want? 

The "12 Days of Christmas" is a carol which references the 12 days following Christmas, also known as Twelvetide in Christianity and includes a list of gifts which ends up totaling 364 gifts, by the way!  So my challenge to you is to recreate this carol, with 12 days of 'Altruistic acts'.  Can you find 12 different ways to do something for someone else, without expecting anything in return? 

On the first day of Christmas I gave to my Grandma, a lovely cup of tea.

On the second day of Christmas I shared with my dad, chocolates from the Christmas tree

On the third day of Christmas ...

Honesty

29th November 2023


In school one of our responsibilities is that we are honest and truthful.  But what does that really mean? 

What is honesty? Does it just means that you "don't tell a lie".? No, honesty means more than "not lying." Honesty means your actions are truthful too. If you have to hide what you are doing because you are trying to trick someone, you probably aren't being honest. Honesty is about both speaking and acting truthfully.

Speaking truthful words

Honesty is speaking the truth. Saying things that aren't true, or that you think might not be true, or that you are making up to hide the truth are all types of lies. Lying is not honest (also called being dishonest) because you are saying something that isn't true. Examples of what speaking the honest truth means:


 Acting truthfully

When you do something you know is morally wrong, or when you have to hide your actions because you know they are wrong, you are not being honest. Being honest means you act in a way that you know is the right thing to do. 


This part of the definition of honesty includes not hiding the truth (deceiving), not breaking rules to gain an advantage (cheating), and not taking something that isn't yours (stealing) and any other action that you would hide because it is against what you consider morally right. 

Road Safety Week

22nd November 2023


This week is Road Safety Week, with a theme of 'Let's talk about speed'.  Keeping you safe on the roads is really important so this week our words are the Green Cross Code.  

To be safe on the road you need to use the Green Cross Code.


Think

Find a safe place to cross the road. 

Stop


Look


Wait


Look and listen again

When it is safe and there is no traffic, walk straight across the road.


Arrive alive

Look and keep looking while you cross the road.


Anti-Bullying

15th November 2023


This week is Anti-Bullying week and through our assemblies we have been ensuring we understand what bullying is and what we should do about it.  We’re all able to make a choice in how we behave towards others. We can choose to be kind and helpful, or we could act in a way that is mean and unkind.  Bullying is a type of unkind behaviour, such as being mean to others on purpose.

Sometimes, people who bully others may be feeling sad or angry and might take their negative feelings out on other people. By being responsible citizens we can choose to be kind to others and help stop bullying.

If you or someone you know is being bullied there are things you can do to try and stop it.


'I'll be there for you'

We don't bully in our school

Everyone is kind

No matter what you look like

We really don't mind


Everybody's different 

And that's what makes us great

But we all agree on one thing

There's no room here for hate


We try to help each other

In everything we do

And value thoughts and feelings

No matter what the view


There's no place here for bullies

Just friends both old and new

With one short simple message

"I'll be there for you."

Forgiveness

8th November 2023

Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes we need to be able to move on from this and forgive people for what they have done.  This poem is all about someone making a mistake that caused upset, but they really didn't intend to.  Holding onto anger and upset can just make you feel more angry and upset.  Instead we need to 'Let it Go' and move on, finding an acceptable solution. 

Forgiven by A.  A. Milne

I found a little beetle; so that Beetle was his name,
And I called him Alexander and he answered just the same.
I put him in a match-box, and I kept him all the day ...
And Nanny let my beetle out -
Yes, Nanny let my beetle out -
She went and let my beetle out -
And Beetle ran away.

She said she didn't mean it, and I never said she did,

She said she wanted matches and she just took off the lid,

She said that she was sorry, but it's difficult to catch

An excited sort of beetle you've mistaken for a match.


She said that she was sorry, and I really mustn't mind,

As there's lots and lots of beetles which she's certain we could find,

If we looked about the garden for the holes where beetles hid -

And we'd get another match-box and write BEETLE on the lid.


We went to all the places which a beetle might be near,

And we made the sort of noises which a beetle likes to hear,

And I saw a kind of something, and I gave a sort of shout:

"A beetle-house and Alexander Beetle coming out!" 

It was Alexander Beetle I'm as certain as can be,

And he had a sort of look as if he thought it must be Me,

And he had a sort of look as if he thought he ought to say:

"I'm very very sorry that I tried to run away."


And Nanny's very sorry too for you-know-what-she-did,

And she's writing ALEXANDER very blackly on the lid,

So Nan and Me are friends, because it's difficult to catch

An excited Alexander you've mistaken for a match. 


Gratitude

1st November 2023

What is the harvest attitude of gratitude?

Harvest time is an opportunity to reflect on all that we receive, give thanks and show our gratitude.  Gratitude is a powerful emotion that has many benefits for the person experiencing it. It can transform our thinking and our way of being, and cause us to lead much more fulfilling and happy lives. 

There are thought to be 4 elements to gratitude:

How thankful have your felt lately? What are the things you appreciate the most? Try making a list of 10 or even 20 items that come to mind. Did you have clean water and clean air on your list? How about nutritious food in adequate amounts?  What about having shelter and people who care about you? 

Strengths and Weaknesses

17th October 2023

We found out in assembly about how Michael Jordon, a superstar basketball player, had real tenacity, never giving up in pursuit of his dreams.  We all have different strengths and things we find difficult, but if we have goals in life we want to achieve then true strength lies in our tenacity.

Tenacity is the quality displayed by someone who just won't quit — who keeps trying until they reach their goal.  

See if you can set yourself a goal and have the determination, courage and self will to not give up, knowing that if you persevere good things will happen. 

This poem about Tenacity is a free verse.  A verse that does not follow a fixed metrical pattern. 











Positivity

11th October 2023

Yesterday was World Mental Health Day, a day to talk about mental health and show everyone that mental health matters. Having a positive outlook on life can help you notice and appreciate the good things in your lives. It's easy to spend a lot of time thinking about things that have gone wrong but when you do this, these things can seem overwhelming and lead to worry and stress. So today I want to share some words of motivation, hope, and encouragement with you.  These are all taken from films you may have watched.  See if you can find a favourite one to recite and remember, then when you are feeling sad you can use this positive self talk to lift your mood, correct your negative thoughts and help you to be kinder to yourself. 


People need people,
To walk to
To talk to
To cry and rely on,
People will always need people.
To love and to miss
To hug and to kiss,
It’s useful to have other people.
To whom to moan
If you’re all alone,
It’s so hard to share
When no one is there.
There’s not much to do
When there’s no one but you.
People will always need people.

To please
To tease
To put you at ease,
People will always need people.
To make life appealing
And give life some meaning,
It’s useful to have other people.
It you need a change
To whom will you turn.
If you need a lesson
From whom will you learn.
If you need to play
You’ll know why I say
People will always need people.

As girlfriends
As boyfriends
From Bombay
To Ostend,
People will always need people-
To have friendly fights with
And share tasty bites with,
It’s useful to have other people.
People live in families
Gangs, posses and packs,
Its seems we need company
Before we relax,
So stop making enemies
And let’s face the facts,
People will always need people,
Yes
People will always need people.

–Benjamin Zephaniah


Tolerance

4th October 2023

This week we celebrate the start of Black History Month, recognising the invaluable contributions of black people. People Need People ia a poem by British writer Benjamin Zephaniah,  about the power of people, and the importance of connecting with others. This poem reminds us all to be kind to one another, no matter what our differences are.  

Happiness

27th September 2023

This week we are thinking about how we can be happy and ensure we all have happy playtimes.  Think about what makes you happy and what has been joyful so far this week.  Happiness can at times feel fleeting. Our moments of bliss are just that, moments. After all, there times in the day when we're not having positive feelings.  But there are still little things you can do to remind yourself of all the good times, and infuse your day with a tiny spark of joy.

'Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.'

Mahatma Ghandi

Can you make a list of synonyms for happiness? 

Peace

20th September 2023

Each year International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21st September. This year’s theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognises our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace and create a culture of peace for all.


This week think about what bring you inner peace.  Maybe it's relaxing on your bed, eating chocolate, playing sport or something else.  Try to find time to make it a daily practice and see how it changes your world. 

"If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else."

Marvin Gaye

Good thoughts

13th September 2023

Today is Roald Dahl day.  An annual global celebration of his stories, characters, worlds and words.  Roald Dahl invented 500 words and character names, from the Oompa-Loompas and whizzpopping to the less well known humplecrimp, lixivate and zoonk.  Our words on Wednesday this week are some of Roald Dahl's invented words and link to our assemblies this week on having good thoughts. 

As Roald Dahl wrote in The Twits 'A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly.  You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely'. 

I hope that this week you find lots of wondercrump opportunities to churgle and phizz-whizz. 


Phizz-whizzing: "If you like something or someone"

Wondercrump: "Wonderful or splendiferous"

Churgle: When you churgle, you gurgle with laughter. 


Belonging

6th September 2023

'If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other.'

Mother Teresa


This poem about belonging is a Pantoum.  A pantoum is a poem of any length, composed of four-line stanzas (a group of lines forming the basic unit in a poem) in which the second and fourth lines of each stanza serve as the first and third lines of the next stanza. The last line of a pantoum is often the same as the first. 

As we embark on a new school year I want you to be yourself and not worry about having to 'fit in'.  We don't need to change to be accepted by others, as the poem says, just be yourself; you be you, and I'll be me.  Belonging doesn't require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.  Life would be boring if we were all the same.  Our differences are what makes life interesting.  Smile at someone new today, make them feel welcome, important and valuable.