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February 2012
Newsletter
Dickens' well known story of ‘A Christmas Carol' examines social and political issues, including greed and the total (frequently abused) power that employers of the time had over their employees. Students are challenged to think of how they too might engage with and change society through a spirit of generosity, and to realise that happiness comes from sharing the good things we have.
February 2012
Newsletter
Dickens' famous ‘Oliver Twist' looks at the lack of provision for care for young children, leading to lives of crime and deprivation. Students are challenged to reflect on social problems that are contributed to by lack of provision today, such as gang culture, and to realise the importance of love in their lives.
February 2012
Newsletter
A clever plotline sees Pip uprooted from his working-class but loving home, being educated towards a ‘better future', but losing himself along the way. In Dickens' book ‘Great Expectations', students are challenged to stay true to themselves, despite the pressures of a consumerist and celebrity culture.
February 2012
Newsletter
From the playground to the media, from the smallest of white lies to the greatest web of deceit, students are faced with lies and the temptation to lie on a daily basis. This assembly encourages students to consider how far they would go and the consequences of lying in their personal relationships.
February 2012
Newsletter
Most of us would agree that stealing is wrong and, in many cases, against the law. But if we were to look closely at our everyday lives, we would find examples of stealing on a smaller scale. In this assembly, students will be prompted to consider all aspects of stealing, and the possible consequences.
February 2012
Newsletter
Swearing can be frequently heard around us - in the playground, in our home, on the television. Does it actually do any harm? This assembly looks at where swearing takes place and how it affects our relationships with the people around us.
February 2012
Newsletter
This assembly looks at the Ancient Egyptian belief in a separate life-force or soul that exists apart from our physical body. It considers the impact that such a belief can have on rituals relating to death as well as one's approach to life.
February 2012
Newsletter
This phrase was written by Mother Julian of Norwich, whose story is the focus of this assembly. As a girl, she avoided the Black Death several times, but was later struck by a near-fatal illness. Julian felt that these close encounters with death had led her to a deeper understanding of the purpose of life. Her teachings continue to inspire Christians today.
February 2012
Newsletter
Gautama Buddha taught that, although death is inevitable for all living beings, there is a final end to the round of birth, death and rebirth that occurs with the extinction of suffering. This assembly explores the Buddhist approach to death through a Zen Buddhist story and the account of the historical Buddha's transition into ‘parinirvana'.
January 2012
Newsletter
Encouraging students to examine their own behaviour, this assembly looks at the issue of bad behaviour and how someone might feel if he or she found they had no time to put this right. It uses the example of Ben, who found himself in a situation where there were serious repercussions to his own bad behaviour.
January 2012
Newsletter
How much do we value the people we love? This assembly encourages students to examine the way that they show their feelings by using the example of Serena, who found she had run out of time because of her brother's terminal illness.
January 2012
Newsletter
If the world were going to end, how would we spend our last moments most wisely? Here schools are asked to encourage pupils to examine the choices they make in their own lives, by looking at, not only their own ambitions and priorities, but also the future of the world.
January 2012
Newsletter
Peter describes the astonishing scene at the Last Supper, when Jesus chose to wash the feet of his disciples. How does his example affect our own thinking about leadership and service?
January 2012
Newsletter
Peter describes how he and his fellow disciples fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus needed their support, and how, when challenged, he denied that he knew his master. We wonder what we would have done. Will our own friendships stand up under pressure?
January 2012
Newsletter
When Jesus was crucified, Peter wasn't present. He offers no excuse but a partial explanation, and recalls the courage and devotion of those who stood by Jesus in his time of trial. Would we be prepared to take risks to support a friend in trouble?
