A 'What If' Monster  by Ruth Kenward & Richard Neil - 5 to 9 yrs  (1m 54s)

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Theme  -  Sharing problems
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Story  -  by John & Ruth Kenward  (approx 6 mins)

Extract:  
Shazia was a happy girl who never worried about a thing, until one Sunday her mum got a phone call.  ‘That was your Auntie Parveen,’ Shazia’s mum said. ‘She’s broken her leg and she can’t walk!’  ‘Poor Auntie Parveen!’ said Shazia. ‘How will she look after her children with a broken leg?’  ‘I’ll have to go and stay with them to help for a while,’ answered her mum.  ‘But what about me?’ asked Shazia. ‘You’ll be fine,’ said her mum. ‘Dad will look after you.‘

After breakfast on Monday, it was odd not having mum to walk her to school, but she went with her friend’s mum, and that was ok. Everything felt fine, until the teacher told the class that the school dentist was coming next Monday! The teacher reminded the children to clean their teeth twice every day.  ‘We don’t want to have any nasty fillings, do we?’ she said.  Shazia began to worry. ‘What if I forget to clean my teeth?’ she thought to herself. ‘I don’t want fillings!’  For the rest of the day, she worried about getting holes in her teeth.

On Tuesday, the teacher gave the children a spelling list to learn for homework. ‘Next week,’ she said, ‘you’ll be having a test to see how many of these words you can spell.’  The words looked difficult and Shazia began to worry. ‘What if I can’t learn them?’ she thought to herself. ‘Mum isn’t here to help me!’ For the rest of the day, she worried…

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward & Richard Neil

In the song, anxiety is imagined as a ‘what if’ monster, and confidence as a ‘what if’ buddy. The ‘what if’ monster puts doubt in our minds, and needs to be replaced with the ‘what if’ buddy of confidence - which can take the form of a good, kind friend.  This unusual, quirky song is a brilliant tool to help young children understand anxiety – and they love shouting at the ‘what if’ monster to go away!  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1. Can you remember all the things Shazia worried about?

2. Why do you think Shazia was worrying more than usual?

3. Why had her mum gone away?

4. Who were Shazia’s ‘what if’ buddies?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Don't Open The Box' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

'Come With Me'  by Peter O'Hare - 7 to 11 yrs - KS2  (2m 40s)

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Theme  -  Building a better world, hope, perseverance, co-operation

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Story  -  a true story, told by John Kenward  (approx 7 mins.)

Extract:   
Against all the odds, Jacqueline survived. Just a few months after the fire, in the spring of the year 2000, she found herself sitting on the ground, gazing at a large white man. This man was Geoff Booker. He and his wife Geraldine were visiting a nearby city, and some friends there had told them about Kabbubu’s orphans. Geoff and Geraldine had gone to the village to see what they could do to help. When they arrived in Kabbubu, one of the village elders said: ‘Come with me.  The orphans are waiting for you.’ 

Geoff and Geraldine were shocked at what they found. They’d gone to Kabbubu expecting to find a dozen or so orphans, but on the ground in front of them were around four hundred children, and all of them were staring expectantly in their direction. They were thin, malnourished and barefooted. At Geoff’s feet was Jacqueline, with sad eyes peering up at him from her scarred face.

Geoff turned to a village elder who was standing close by. 
‘Are all these children orphans?’  he asked.
‘Yes,’ was the simple reply. ‘Can you help?'  ...

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Song  -  by Peter O'Hare  

On our own there is little we can do to make a difference.  When we team up and work together we can build a better world!  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples 

1.  Why do you think the people in Kabbubu couldn’t help themselves?

2.  What does it mean to help someone to help themselves?

3.  We know that things are better when people work together to solve problems. Why do you think that is?
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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'This is The Place Where We Live' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

Don't Open The Box  by Caroline Picking & Edward Preston - 7 to 13 yrs - KS2, KS3  (2m 07s)

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Theme  -  Self control

Associated issues - controlling destructive feelings
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Story  -  by Caroline Picking (approx. 8 mins)

Extract:  
Long ago, according to the story-tellers of ancient Greece, there lived a woman named Pandora. There had never been anyone more beautiful than she was. Her skin was as white and smooth as cream, her eyes were like pale blue crystals, and her long hair tumbled around her face in golden curls.Pandora had everything she could possibly want, including the love of a handsome man called Epimetheus, who had promised to marry her. Surely nothing could possibly go wrong. Or could it?

Pandora and Epimetheus were about to suffer because of something his brother had once done, which had angered the Greek gods. Mercury, the messenger of the Greek gods, brought a special box to the happy couple. He asked them to look after it for him, but there was one very important rule which he told them they must obey. He said: “Don’t open the box.”

Pandora gasped in wonder at the outside of the box. It was large, and very heavy, glittering with gold so bright it dazzled and hurt her eyes. On the lid were thousands of sparkling jewels: scarlet rubies the size of her fist, diamonds glistening in the sunlight and sapphires so blue they seemed to contain the sea itself!

How Pandora loved to touch the box, to stroke the lid and dream of the delights that might be inside it! She imagined herself dressed in beautiful clothes: silky robes and fine furs that might lie within the box. She pictured bracelets, earrings and necklaces, and wondered how heavy they would feel...

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Song  -  by Caroline Picking, Edward Preston & Ruth Kenward              

Using the metaphor of Pandora’s Box, this song makes a strong statement about keeping hatred, greed and anger under control - for everyone’s benefit!  Punchy, assertive and with a dramatic edge, this song is strengthening and empowering for children to sing.

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Reflection points  -  sample

1.  What do you think was the worst thing that escaped from the box?

2.  What was the good thing that Pandora and Epimetheus set free?  

3.  Our heads can be a bit like Pandora’s box! Sometimes we all feel and think bad things. If we let those things get out of control, and allow them to escape out of our heads, what kind of things can happen?

4.  How can we learn to be in charge of bad thoughts and feelings, and stop them from controlling us?

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This song has a partner story and complete assembly on the same theme.  You can find this in 'Assemblies Alive KS2', which also contains 14 other assemblies, songs and stories.

Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining  by Ruth Kenward - 7 to 13yrs - KS2, KS3  (2m 38s)

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Theme  -  Finding positives in bad times 

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Story  -  by John Kenward (approx. 8 mins)

Extract: 
It felt like Benita’s best birthday ever, until disaster struck.  As she veered off the track, speeding across the grass to join her family, her front wheel struck a large stone half buried in the grass. The impact threw her over the handlebars and she landed on her back with a sickening crunch, at the base of a tree, with the bike landing on top of her.  Inside her head, everything suddenly went dark.

The next thing Benita knew, she was still lying on her back but she was staring up into a bright white ceiling and her head was throbbing with pain.  A nurse in a pale green and white uniform loomed over her. ‘Hello, Benita!’ she said…

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward  

An upbeat, positive song with a great hook, that encourages us to look for rays of hope in bad times.  Behind the clouds the sun is always shining!  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection points  -  sample

1. What was the ‘dark cloud’ that happened in Benita’s life?
    
2. What was the ‘silver lining’?
    
3. Have you ever found a ‘silver lining’ in a difficult situation? 
    
4. When things aren’t going well in your life, does it help if you look for the positive side? If so, how?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'Round The Corner' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

Every Step Counts by Ruth & John Kenward - 5 to 9 years old (KS1)

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Theme  -  Perseverance 
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Story  -  by Ruth & John Kenward  (approx 6 mins)

Extract:
When Lucy was born, one of her legs was shorter than the other. When she was a tiny baby that didn't matter, but by the time she was two it was obvious that Lucy couldn't walk very well. She went to see a special leg doctor. 'When Lucy is six,' the doctor said, 'she'll need an operation to make her legs the same length, otherwise the limp will get worse, and she'll have pain in her back and hips.'

By the time she was four, Lucy's limp was worse, but in spite of that she was a bundle of energy, running everywhere, always on the move. Best of all she loved playing football with her big brother and her dad. Because of her limp, she usually chose to be in goal, and she was getting very good at doing saves. 

By the time she was five, one leg was much shorter than the other. Lucy began to think people were staring at her- although they hardly ever were. 'I don't like my limp,' she complained. 'Why can't I be like everyone else?' The doctor gave her a special built-up shoe to wear on her shorter leg, which helped her not to limp. She was pleased at first, but by the time she was six she was fed up with it.

'I hate my big shoe,' she said, miserably. 'Why can't I be like everyone else and wear normal shoes? I want shiny red ones, like Kerry's.' Kerry was Lucy's best friend. Lucy's mum and dad decided it was time to tell her about the leg operation...

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Song  -  by John & Ruth Kenward  

With its rather ‘toy soldier’ feel, this song encourages children not to give up when things seem hard.  Every step means you’re moving on.  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points - samples

1.  What do you think was the hardest thing Lucy had to put up with? 

2.  Even when she was tiny Lucy wasn't a girl who gave up easily, was she?  How do you know?

3.  If we know someone has a problem, how can we help them when they feel like giving up?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'You Gotta Try' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

First Day  by Ruth Kenward - 5 to 11 yrs - KS1, KS2  (1m 52s)

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Theme   -  Moving from secure to unknown, going to a new school 

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Story  -  by Ruth Kenward  (approx 7 mins)

Extract: 
Glenn and his sister Tess started at St. John’s Infant School when they were four, but now Glenn was seven, and Tess was five. St. John’s was like a second home to them. They’d known all their friends ever since playgroup. But one day something happened that changed everything. When Glenn and Tess raced through the door after school Dad was out, which was unusual. Since his office closed down Dad had no job, so he was usually in when they got home from school. 

‘Where’s Dad?’ asked Glenn. 
‘Has he gone out to do the shopping?’ asked Tess.  
‘No, it’s better than that,’ said Mum, with a big smile. ‘He’s got an interview for a job!’  ‘What’s a nintervoo?’ asked Tess.  So Mum explained.
‘An interview is when someone goes to talk to people who might give them a job. Dad thinks he’s got a good chance of getting this one!’  
‘Great!’ said Glenn.  ‘I hope he does get the job!’
Mum sighed. ‘So do I,’ she said. 

Mum was just about to get beans on toast ready for tea when Dad came charging through the front door, all excited.
‘I got it!’ he shouted. ‘I got the job!’
‘Yay!’  shouted the children, jumping up to hug their father.
‘Forget the baked beans,’ Dad told Mum. ‘We’re going out to celebrate!’ 

First they went and had a delicious meal in a restaurant, and then – even though it was nearly bedtime – they went out ten pin bowling! The children couldn’t remember having such fun on a Friday night ever before! But next morning they discovered there was bad news to come...

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward   

A new environment is a challenge.  This song encourages children that having a friendly, smiling manner and positive approach will soon have them feeling at home.  An excellent song for the end of the school year, with a lovely upbeat feel. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  What was the golden rule the family made up to help them make a new start?

2.  Why is the golden rule a good idea? 

3.  What did it feel like on your first day at this school?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Time To Move Along' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

Growing Pains  by Tim Parsons & Nadia Mead - 7 to 11 yrs - KS2, KS2  (2m 45s)

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Theme  -  Dealing with difficulties in life 
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Story  -  by John Kenward   (approx 9 mins)

Extract:
A deep rumbling roar boomed from the mountains above.  Startled, the children looked up.

Beneath them the ground shook violently. They screamed, knowing this was an earthquake, and that their little houses would crumble like sandcastles, turning to dust and rubble.  In an instant, they were on their feet and running, as huge rocks and boulders crashed down the mountain side, knocking them over like skittles in a bowling alley. 

Rakesh was sent reeling down the side of the hill.  Another boulder seemed to catapult him through the air into the shallow ravine on one side of the village, where he landed in the top branches of a straggly tree. There came an ear-splitting crack as part of the mountain side, complete with the remains of the village, slid down and disappeared into the raging river below. All Rakesh could do was to hang on to the branches for dear life...

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Song  -  by Tim Parsons & Nadia Mead  

This song deals with the frustrations of a child’s everyday life - forgetting books, messing up spellings, failing tests, unfairness, etc.  The message is that those things don’t last forever, and when life feels tough we just have to try and keep ourselves positive.  Set in a very laid back groove, with a two part section at the end.  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  What did Rakesh lose in the earthquake?  

2.  What do you think happens to the people affected by disasters when TV cameras leave?

3.  What do you think your biggest challenges might be, as you grow up?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'One Day At A Time' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

Hold On! Slow Down!  by Ruth Kenward - 5 to 7 yrs - KS1  (2m 08s)
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Theme  -  Self-control, hurrying, rushing

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Story  -  by Ruth Kenward  (approx 6 mins)

Extract:
Speedy Sam and Hurrying Holly were twins who often got into trouble because they did everything in such a rush that they forgot about sticking to rules!  Holly was so impatient, she did everything at the speed of light, and Sam always wanted to be first, so he was no better. Their mum was forever saying ‘Hold on!  Slow down!’  But the twins weren’t very good at taking their time. They didn’t seem to know how to slow down!

One day, Sam and Holly were excited because Grandma was going to take them to the park.  Mum had given them both some money to buy ice cream, and now they were by the front window, impatiently waiting for Grandma’s car to drive along the road. ‘There she is!’ Sam shouted, jumping up. ‘I saw her first!  And I’ll be ready before you!’ 

Sam grabbed his ice-cream money and ran; Holly chased after him. They both raced to get their coats, then...

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward  

Children love the use of different tempos in this song, which has a speedy verse with a contrasting, laid-back chorus.  Wonderful for reinforcing school rules about running in corridors etc., as this song has a way of getting stuck in children’s heads!  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  What were Mum and Grandma always saying to Sam and Holly?

2.  If Sam had walked to the ice-cream van, what would have changed?

3.  The twins didn’t seem to know how to slow down. What might help them to learn?

4.  Sometimes it’s dangerous to be in a hurry. Can you think of an example?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Don't Open The Box' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

How Can I Make A Difference?  by Ruth Kenward & Richard Neil - 5 to 7 yrs - KS1  (1m 25s)
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Theme  -  One person can make a difference 
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Story  -  by Ruth & John Kenward  (approx 6 mins)

Extract:
Poppy was a girl who always felt as if she was invisible.  No-one really noticed her.  She didn’t have any brothers or sisters, so her house was a quiet place, and Poppy was a quiet person.

One day after school, Poppy was watching cartoons and then the news came on.  She usually found the news boring, but this time she was actually watching when her mother came in and switched it off.

‘Tea-time,’ said her mum.  ‘Hey, Mum, I was watching that!’ Poppy said. ‘Please turn it back on!’  Her mum shrugged and pressed the remote control again.  ‘You don’t usually like the news,’ she said.

But Poppy was concentrating.  On the screen, a reporter was talking about some children, who she could see in the background.  These boys and girls had no mums or dads.  They had nobody to care for them so they lived in an orphanage, which had cold draughty rooms and not even any curtains on the windows.  The children looked very sad, and they were very quiet.  

‘They look so sad!’ said Poppy.  ‘And they’re like me.’  Poppy’s mum looked shocked. ‘Like you?’ she said.  ‘You’re not an orphan!’  
‘No, but they’re quiet, like me,’ said Poppy, quietly.
‘Oh I see!’ said her mum. 
‘Could one of them come and live with us?’ asked Poppy. ‘Then I’d have a brother or a sister!’ 
‘I don’t think so!’ said Poppy’s mum, laughing.  Poppy looked cross. 
‘But that’s not fair!’ she protested.  ‘They need a home, and I need a brother or sister.’ Poppy’s mum hugged her.  ‘Life isn’t always how we’d like it to be,’ she said. ‘Perhaps you’d feel better if you tried to help.’  
Poppy pulled a grumpy face.  ‘What can I do?’ she asked.  ‘I’m only little.  I can’t make a difference…’   
‘You can try!’ said her mum.  ‘See if you can think of a way.’

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward & Richard Neil  

Very easy to teach and learn, this song has a simple message about making things better in our own small way, by doing the right thing. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  Why did Poppy think she couldn't help those children?

2.  What was the first thing Poppy did to make a difference?

3.  How did Poppy’s small plan become so big? 

4.  If Poppy came to our school, why do you think she might make a good friend?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Just A Single Candle' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

Just A Single Candle  by Jenny Schrag - 7 to 13 yrs - KS2, KS3  (3m 08s)
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Theme  -  Each person makes a difference 
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Story  -  by John Kenward  (approx 9 mins)

Extract:
It was half term. Rory was excited, but he was also nervous. He stood on the pavement outside their new house, staring at the back of the huge removal lorry. He watched intensely as the removal men offloaded the contents of their old house and carried them into the new one. All Rory was interested in was his skate board. Had it been packed? Was it still in one piece?

‘Have you seen it yet?’  he kept asking the men.  ‘We’ll tell you as soon as we come to it,’  they kept saying.  Finally they reached the packing cases at the front of the lorry.  One of them triumphantly appeared at the back holding Rory’s prize possession.
‘There you go son!’  he said. ‘Don’t go breaking your neck.’ 
‘Thanks,’  replied Rory.  ‘Hey, Mum! Dad!  Can I go out on my skateboard?’ 
‘Ok,’  grunted his dad, bent over a packing case, legs knee high in newspaper.
‘But don’t go onto the main road!’ called his mum.

Rory’s new house was in an estate with lots of cul-de-sacs, and no through traffic, so it was perfect for whizzing up and down on the pavements.  He hoped he’d meet some fellow skate boarders, preferably children his own age.  He zoomed off, excited to be skating in new territory. 

As he rounded a bend, three boys came racing out of an alleyway ahead of him. They turned into the road, not noticing an old lady with a walking stick, struggling to carry her shopping bag.  The boys didn’t see the old lady fall as they knocked the stick from her grasp while rushing past her, disappearing further up the road without even glancing back...

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Song  -  by Jenny Schrag 

An anthemic song about peace, tolerance, and living the right way, and the responsibility that each one of us has to make a difference. The excellent lyrics make the song ideal for assembly, but the optional harmony parts and key change also make this a very uplifting song for choir performance. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points - samples

1.  What do you think made Rory help Betty when she was knocked over?  

2.  The story is called Just A Single Candle.  How did Rory seem like a candle in Betty’s life?  

3.  If Rory came to our school, why do you think he might make a good friend?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'How Can I Make A Difference' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

Let's Say No  by Ruth Kenward & Richard Neil - 5 to 7yrs - KS1  (1m 41s)

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Theme  -  Dealing with bullying 
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Story  -  by John & Ruth Kenward (approx 5 mins)

Extract:
Billy couldn't wait for playtime. 'Who's playing football?' he would shout on his way to the playground. Lots of children would always run to join him, and within minutes they'd be racing round the football pitch. If you were watching, you'd think everyone was having a great time - but things aren't always as they seem.

Billy began his school life as a kind and friendly boy, but somehow, by the end of Year 2, he'd become something quite different. He'd turned into Billy the Bully. Since he was very small, Billy had always enjoyed football. The trouble was, as he became bigger and stronger, he started to act as if he was the best footballer in the school. He got into bad habits, deliberately knocking other children over if they got in his way, and being nasty to them if they made mistakes. He was selfish, always wanting to take the goal kicks, the corners, and the throw-ins. No-one dared argue with Billy. They were frightened of getting shouted at, or even hurt.

In the summer term a new boy, David, joined the class...

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward & Richard Neil  

A very simple song to discourage bullying and to teach children some things they can do to feel stronger. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  In what way was Billy being a bully?

2.  Was Billy really as tough and strong as he pretended to be?  How do you know?

3.  Why didn't the other children help Billy when he asked them to?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Stand Up For Yourself' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

Live Together  by Peter O'Hare - 7 to 12yrs - KS2  (3m 0s)
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Theme  -  Abiding by rules, co-operation
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Story  -  by John Kenward  (approx 8 mins)

Extract:
Anna was top dog in the class, and she knew it. She was taller than all her class mates, and she liked to make sure they looked up to her in every way.  Over the years, the other children had learned how best to get along with Anna, how to avoid her sharp tongue and how to dodge her fiery temper tantrums when things didn’t go her way.

Today the class teacher - Miss Jameson - had asked the children to organise themselves into small groups, to work on an art and craft project. They were to design, build and paint their dream house using balsa wood, string, glue and of course paint. The best project would be entered into a national competition for schools.

Art and craft wasn’t Anna’s favourite subject, but at least it gave her the opportunity to be a group leader.  Quickly, she grabbed her three usual sidekicks, and then she spotted Tanya, who was the best at drawing and painting in the whole class.  She’d be useful.

‘You’d like to be in my group, wouldn’t you Tanya?’ Anna stated, placing one hand firmly on Tanya’s shoulder and staring hard into her eyes. 
Tanya was a quiet, shy girl, who always tried to keep out of Anna’s way.  She wanted to say no, but - lacking the courage - she couldn’t make the word come out. 
‘Um...’ Tanya mumbled, pretending to dig a pencil out of her bag... 

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Song  -  by Peter O'Hare   

A simple, bright and breezy song with a lilt - about working as a team even when perhaps we don’t always want to! Working together helps us to overcome life’s obstacles. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  How did Anna pick her group?  What things might have happened differently if the group had worked as a team on their project?

2.  Which rules did Anna break during the lesson?  Were these rules important?  Why?

3.  How do rules help us live together?
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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'Stick To The Rules' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

No-one Likes A Bighead by John & Ruth Kenward - 5 to 7yrs - KS1  (1m 41s)
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Theme  -  Pride, showing off, relationships
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Story  -  by John & Ruth Kenward  (approx 5 mins)

Extract:
Bryony was good at nearly everything she did. Unfortunately, she was also very proud. Byrony was always telling everybody how clever she was. 'I was the only one in the class to get all the spellings right this week,' she told the children on her table. 'I must be the best speller in the class!' Her friends nodded, but didn't say anything. They were getting fed up with her showing off all the time.

Bryony was beginning to notice that her classmates didn't say much when she told them things she'd done well - so she showed off even more to try and get them to say how good she was. 'I'm the fastest runner in the class,' she announced to the children in the reading corner. 'Nobody can run faster than me.' Everybody knew she was fast at running but they were fed up with her boasting. She was always so proud of herself that they started to call her 'Bryony Bighead' behind her back.

One day a man from the zoo came to visit the school...  
...The zookeeper asked for a volunteer –  a brave volunteer – to help him bring out his special guest for the day.  ‘I’m brave!’  shouted Bryony, her hand stretched high in the air...  

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Song  -  by John & Ruth Kenward  

A song about over-confidence, and how it doesn’t help people make good relationships - as the title suggests!  Easy to teach and learn, particularly useful for assembly and PSHE purposes.  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  What do you think a bighead is?

2.  Do you think Bryony was brave in the end? How do you know?

3.  What do you think turned Bryony into a show-off?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Pride Goes Before A Fall' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

One Day At A Time by Ruth and John Kenward - 5 to 7 years (KS1)

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Theme  -  Dealing with difficult problems 
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Story  -  by Ruth & John Kenward  (approx 7 mins)

Extract:
Aliesha and Jacob were twins. They lived in a cosy house with their mum and dad, and a ginger cat called Geronimo. Although the twins obviously weren't identical, because Aliesha was a girl and Jacob was a boy, they did look very alike. They both had brown hair and brown eyes, and were exactly the same height. Both of them liked the same food, the same TV programmes and the same games. 'We're twins!' they would say proudly, whenever they met someone for the first time...

...The twins had begun to notice that when a bad thing happened, it only happened to one of them at a time. This was good, because it meant that if something bad happened to Jacob, Aliesha was there to cheer him up, and if it happened to Aliesha, Jacob was there to cheer her up. 

For example, when they were three, Aliesha had lost her favourite Teddy. One day she took him shopping, but that turned out to be a bad idea. Somehow the little teddy got dropped. Although they looked all over the place, Bertie couldn't be found. Aliesha cried and cried. 
'Poor Aliesha,' said their mum, 'sad things happen, but you won't be sad forever.'  'Yes I will!' cried Aliesha.
'Just take one day at a time.' said Mum. 'Things will get better.'  And of course they did.  

It wasn’t until the twins were six that something horrible thing happened to them both at the same time. Every night at bedtime, the twins would stroke Geronimo the cat and say goodnight. But one day after school Geronimo fell over and lay on the floor making a funny noise. The twins ran for their mum. ‘Mum!’ they shouted. ‘Come quick!’ But when they got back he was lying absolutely still. The twins were shocked. 
‘Is he dead, mum?’ asked Aliesha. 
‘I don’t know,’ Mum replied...

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Song  -  by John & Ruth Kenward  

A gentle song to encourage young children that things do get better, if you can be patient and take one day at a time.  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  Why was it good that they usually took it in turns to have bad things happen?

2.  What did Mum always say when bad things happened?  Was she right?

3.  What does it mean to 'take one day at a time'? 
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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Growing Pains' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

One Step Closer by Ruth Kenward - 7 to 12 yrs - KS2  (2m 03s)

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Theme  -  Resolving conflict, forgiveness 
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Story  -  by John Kenward  (approx 7 mins)

Extract: 
Sophie and her younger sister Jenny arrived home from school on Friday in the worst of moods.  Sophie was in Year 6. She’d been hoping to get the lead part in the school play, but her arch rival Claire had proved to be the successful candidate at the audition, and now Sophie was having a big sulk. Jenny was fed up too, because she’d missed her playtimes, having been noisy in class.

All the way home Sophie had been grumbling about not being chosen for the lead part.  She was convinced she had the best singing voice. Jenny, meanwhile, had been blaming her classmates for getting her into trouble.  Then both girls started arguing as to who’d had the worse deal, and by the time they reached their street they were having one of their regular full-blown arguments.

Matters got worse when they found a note by their front door from their Mum, saying she was in bed with the flu, and that the key was in the usual place. On the kitchen table was another note.  It said: ‘Please make yourselves some sandwiches and a drink – Dad should be back in time from work to take you to the school disco tonight.  Pop up and say a quick hello – love Mum.’
‘Oh no!’  groaned Sophie, ‘Mum was going to do my hair and make it all special.’
‘Yeah,’ whined Jenny, ‘and she was going to do my make up.’

They went into their parents’ bedroom to find Mum huddled under her duvet looking very poorly.  She could only whisper a soft hello. 
Despite her mother’s illness Sophie blurted out: 'But who’s going to sort out my hair for the disco?’  ‘And my make up – you promised to help me.’  added Jenny.
Their mum sighed and answered in a croaky voice, ‘You’ll have to help each other, and, PLEASE, no arguing.  Off you go.’ 
The girls looked at each other in horror, then made their way down the stairs...  

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward 

A sweet, uplifting song about resolving conflict and forgiveness. Often the first step can be the hardest when it comes to tackling problems, or forgetting the past and moving on.  The optional harmony and counterpoint parts make this a lovely song for junior choir, as well as general singing. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  Why do you think Sophie and Jenny argued so much?

2.  What steps did the sisters take to get closer to each other?  

3.  If you are in an argument with someone and you know you are right, is it important who wins?  

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'The Blame Game' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

Pride Goes Before A Fall  by Ruth Kenward - 7 to 13 yrs - KS2  (1m 58s)

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Theme  -  Pride can lead to humiliation
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Story  -  by John Kenward  (approx 8 mins)

Extract:
...When he reached Year 6, Lee was picked to play in the school football team, but he and his dad were surprised and disappointed that he wasn’t made captain. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop him from scoring goals, as well as helping his team to reach the final of the County Cup for the first time in Dunstone School’s history. The Head Teacher, Mr. Simpson, was very proud and had the whole team stand up in assembly to wish them the best of luck. He’d asked Luke, the captain, how he felt about the match and was very taken aback when Lee interrupted:  ‘Oh, we’ll win, sir! I’ll score loads of goals.’  Mr. Simpson reminded Lee and everyone else that football was a team game, and everyone had a part to play. 

Kerry (Lee's sister) and Chloe also had to stand up in assembly. Along with some other girls, they’d volunteered to run a mini-marathon in the town, to raise money for a local charity. Kerry, being shy, kept her eyes to the floor while everyone clapped to encourage both girls...

The Schools Cup Final was a very tense game. At half time it was nil–nil. The huge silver cup they were competing for stood ready on a large table, together with gold winners’ medals and silver runners-up medals.  Lee’s dad had almost lost his voice, with all the shouting he was doing.  He also kept telling the Dunstone coach to get everyone to pass the ball to Lee, so he could score.
During the second half Lee was getting more and more frustrated...  

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward & Richard Neil  

A simple, jazzy song about how being too boastful gets people into trouble. The verses tell the story of two children who are examples of this, and warn of the dangers that come from acting too big for your boots! (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  How would you describe Lee as a person?   

2.  What do you think made him like that?

3.  What was the difference in attitude between Lee and Kerry?
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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'No-one Likes A Bighead' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

Round The Corner by Ruth Kenward - 5 to 7yrs - KS1  (1m 54s)

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Theme  -  Finding positives in bad times
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Story  -  by John & Ruth Kenward  (approx 5 mins)

Extract:
Harry was having a hard time. Everything seemed to be going wrong. First there was the accident in the playground. He was walking round a corner when suddenly a football came flying past and he tripped over it, twisting his ankle badly. 'Ow!' he cried out. 'It really, really hurts!' Harry was a brave boy, but his ankle hurt so badly it made him cry.

He had to go to the hospital for an x-ray, and the doctor told him good news and bad news. The good news was that his ankle wasn't broken, but the bad news was he'd have to rest for a while to help it get better.
'But I'll miss our class assembly!' he said, 'and I've got a special part in it!'
'Look on the bright side,' the doctor replied. 'You can play all day!'

Back home, with a large bandage wrapped around his sprained ankle, Harry settled down to play with his racing cars. It was fun to begin with, but then disaster struck...

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward

You never know what’s round the corner: it could be scary or fun - stormy or sun! But if we don't step round each 'corner' in our lives we might never get to see what lies ahead - which might be treasure at the rainbow's end!  A catchy song with an unusual theme. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection points  -  samples

1.  Which bad thing do you think was the worst?

2.  What good thing was waiting round the corner for Harry?

3.  How can you help yourself to look on the bright side in life?
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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

Stand Up For Yourself  by Peter O'Hare - 7 to 11 yrs - KS2  (2m 37s)

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Theme  -  Dealing with bullying
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Story  -  from the novel 'Bully!' by Jo Sands and Ruth Kenward  (approx 8 mins)

Extract:
The boys had been watching cautiously, and thought this might be the moment to get away.  They moved fast, but just as they began to cross the precinct Jake’s mobile rang at full volume with his mother’s painfully noticeable ring tone. He’d have to answer it.

Jessica’s head jerked round towards the boys. She’d spotted them some minutes before and recognised Jake, one of the gang’s regular victims. He had the phone up to his ear.
“Hey!”  she said, nudging Kim, and giving a meaningful look in Jake’s direction:  “Anyone want a free phone?”
Ruby shoved Ellie forwards, whispering, “Now’s your chance to prove yourself!” ...

... Jake glanced behind to see that the whole gang’s attention was focused on him. His heart sank. “Let's go!” he heard Ant whisper behind him.
But he had to get the medicine for his mum and if they ran like the wind they might make it. “Come on, Ant! Now!” he hissed back, and started to make a dash for the shop entrance, but Ellie moved faster, stepping right in front of him, so he couldn’t get past. Jake knew that even if he tried to escape, he was seriously outnumbered. He turned to look for Ant’s support, but Ant had obviously legged it already.
‘Some friend!’ Jake thought... although you couldn’t really blame him. His shoulders sagged, waiting to see what this rough looking girl would do next.

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Song  -  by Peter O'Hare

A song about standing up for yourself in the right way, that points out the importance of thinking clearly, speaking out and asking for help in a hurtful situation. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  Why didn’t Jake run away from the gang when he had the chance?

2.  What else could Jake have done?  What might you have done? 

3.  How do you think bullies should be dealt with?  

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'Lets' Say No' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

Step Away From The Chocolate  by John & Ruth Kenward
   - 5 to 11 yrs - KS1, KS2  (1m 54s)
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Theme  -  Resisting temptation
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Story   -  by Ruth & John Kenward  (approx 6 mins)

Extract:
Do you like chocolate? Well, Tico didn’t like chocolate. Not at all. He adored it!  Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate… any kind of chocolate! But Tico was only allowed it at the weekend, apart from chocolate biscuits, which he was always allowed every day after school.

One Friday afternoon, he was in the supermarket with his mum, doing the food shopping. His mouth watered as they passed the chocolate buttons. He stopped and picked up a packet, imagining them all sweet and melting in his mouth! Mmm! 

‘Tico!’ Mum called, from right down the other end of the supermarket aisle. ‘Step away from the chocolate!’ ‘But Mum…’ he whined. ‘No,’ she said, ‘Step away from the chocolate! Saturday is chocolate day.’ Tico sighed, putting the chocolate buttons down. Never mind, he thought, at least there would be an extra chocolate biscuit when they got home, as his treat for helping with the shopping.

Back in their kitchen, when all the food was unpacked, Tico said ‘Mum, please can I have my chocolate biscuit now?’ ‘Of course you can, Tico,’ his mum replied. ‘Thank you for all your help.’ Tico ran to the biscuit tin, and took out a chocolate biscuit. Then he had an idea...
‘Mum,’ he said in a very good-boy voice, ‘d’you think I’ve been good?’  His mother smiled. ‘Yes you have,’ she said. ‘Go on, you can have two if you like.’ 
‘Yay!’ said Tico, dipping his other hand into the tin.

He went to munch his chocolate biscuits happily in front of the TV. ‘Yummy!’ he thought, as he wiped his mouth afterwards. ‘But I wish I could have just one more…’ He glanced into the kitchen, where he could see the biscuit tin on the table, with its lid still off... 

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Song  -  by John & Ruth Kenward 

It’s hard to find many songs suitable for infants on the theme of temptation or greed, but this song does it brilliantly, covering both temptation to eat unwisely and the temptation to steal. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  Was Tico’s mum unfair to stop him eating chocolate biscuits every day?

2.  Do you have rules at home or at school about unhealthy food? Are they fair?

3.  When you’re tempted to do something wrong what might you do to help yourself to stop?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Temptation' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

Stick To The Rules by Ruth Kenward & Richard Neil - 5 to 7 yrs - KS1  (1m 43s)

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Theme  -  Abiding by rules 
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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Live Together' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

Talk It Through by Peter O'Hare - 7 to 11 yrs - KS2  (1m 59s)

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Theme  -  Self-control, dealing with different points of view
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Story  -  by John Kenward  (approx 9 mins)

Extract:
It was a typical Monday afternoon playtime at Newtown School - organised chaos. Two parallel football matches were going on, weaving their games around the playground between everything else that was going on: chase, skipping or just wandering about. 

In the Year Five game, Billy was on fire! He’d already scored two goals and was racing up the playground to try and make it a hat trick. Unfortunately - at the same time - Joe from the Year Six game was also charging up the middle of the playground: in the opposite direction!  Both boys were equally desperate to score before the end of playtime, and neither saw the other one coming.

As you might have guessed, the two boys collided and fell in a heap. Fortunately neither was hurt, and both were up on their feet in no time, but instead of carrying on with their games of football, they squared up to each other.
‘Clumsy idiot!’ yelled Joe, right into Billy’s face.  ‘Can’t you look where you are going?’
‘Why don’t you look where you’re going!’  Billy shouted straight back.

Then they were pushing and shoving, their fists started to fly - and in seconds a full-blown fight was under way. Each punch that Joe gave Billy, he got one back. Each kick that Billy gave Joe, he got one back. By the time Miss Jennings came over to separate them, Billy’s eye was swelling, and Joe was bleeding from a loosened tooth. Miss Jennings marched them into the Head Teacher’s office. Mr. Whyman frowned at the boys. ‘So what’s all this about?’ he asked.

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Song  -  by Peter O'Hare 

A funky song that deals with issues of self control and opposing points of view. Whatever the problem, it’s best to talk it through and find a solution. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  What led Billy and Joe to be angry enough to get into a fight?  

2.  Was either of them more to blame than the other?

3.  What did the boys gain by talking things over?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'Your Way Or My Way' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

Temptation by J & R Kenward & Richard Neil - 7 to 11 yrs - KS2  (2m 21)

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Theme  -  Temptation
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Story  -  by John Kenward  (approx 8 mins)

Extract:
...With the prospect of scoring against her older brother, Anne gave the ball a mighty kick. Before he could move, the ball hit Paul on the head, then bounced off into the bushes behind the goal. The others burst out laughing as he rubbed his now muddy forehead. He stuck his tongue out at them, then trudged off to fetch the ball from under the greenery. They watched as he picked up the ball, stuck it under his arm, then reached back under the bush to fetch something else. 

‘Wotcher got?’ called Saleem, as Paul walked back towards them holding a battered old brown purse.  ‘It’s an old pursem,’ said Paul, as he opened it up to see if there was anything inside. There wasn’t, except for what looked like an old library card with a number on it, and an old person’s bus pass.

‘Oh chuck it back in the bush!’ sighed Adam. ‘Let’s get on with the game.’
‘Yeah, but some old person must be missing it,’ replied Paul. ‘They’ll need the bus pass.’  ‘And people might have seen us with it,’ Georgie added, looking around the busy park.
‘Let’s drop it in at the police station,’ Anne suggested. ‘Someone might be missing it, and if you hand it in then you obviously aren’t a thief!’

Paul stuffed the purse into his school bag and they headed off towards the police station.  Near the gates they passed the ‘Gang Of Three’...

... The following morning, passing the Head Teacher’s office, Paul’s eyes widened. Through the window, he glimpsed a policewoman standing in the office, waving a familiar-looking brown purse at Mrs. Harper. Paul’s heart pounded, because a sickening thought had struck him: ‘Perhaps she thinks we took some money out before handing it in!’  

The assembly began with Mrs. Harper saying she had an important announcement to make. Paul found himself going red as his name was read out to join his sister Anne, Georgie, Adam and Saleem who were already on their way to stand alongside Mrs. Harper.  
‘Yesterday morning’, their Head Teacher solemnly announced, ‘an old lady went to her bank and took out a lot of money – ten £50 notes! When she got home she realized she’d lost her purse.’  Paul’s heart thumped as he did the maths...

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Song  -  by J & R Kenward & Richard Neil  

This upbeat song tells the story of three different people confronted with tempting situations that involve wrong or right choices. Each choice has consequences, so must be made carefully.  A very hooky song with a driving beat and optional harmonies. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  What would you have done if you had found the purse?  

2.  Why do you think Paul was so afraid when the Head Teacher was talking, even though he knew he was innocent?

3.  If the ‘Gang Of Three’ had realised that there was all that money in the purse, what do you think they would have done?     

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'Step Away From The Chocolate!' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

The Blame Game by Ruth Kenward - 5 to 9 yrs - KS1, KS2  (2m 09s)

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Theme   -  Resolving conflict
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Story  -  by Ruth Kenward  (approx 6 mins)

Extract:
...Now you have to understand that Bailey and Joseph had never been in trouble before. Can you imagine how they felt, the very first time they’d actually been caught doing something naughty?  As they stood up and walked to the window, everyone was watching, so they felt very embarrassed. They wished everyone would stop staring.  Mrs. Jamal told the rest of the class to get back to their farmyard pictures, which they did, but the boys still hated being in trouble, and they started blaming each other. 

‘It was your fault!’ whispered Bailey, angrily. ‘You made me laugh!’
‘You started it!’ Joseph hissed at him. ‘And you crashed your car into mine!’
‘It was alright until you made your car explode!’ Bailey said, glaring, but Joseph was straight back at him. ‘You knocked the glue off the table, and Miss would never have noticed otherwise!’
‘I’m not playing with you anymore.’ Bailey said. 
‘I’m not playing with you either!’ Joseph replied.

But they hadn’t noticed Mrs. Jamal coming over, and she had heard every word... 

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward 

The song gives the message that blaming others only makes things worse, and that using the ‘sorry’ word can go a long way towards mending relationship difficulties.  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  Do you know what the special word is?

2.  Does saying 'sorry' work if you don't mean it?

3.  Why do people play blame games?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'One Step Closer' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

The Books Of Life by Pete O'Hare - 7 to 13 yrs - KS2, KS3  (2m 37s)

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Theme  -  Choosing a good way to live
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Story  -  by John Kenward  (approx 10 mins)

Extract:
... ‘Georgina!’ Mum snapped. ‘Don’t be so selfish! Get upstairs, get dressed and tidy that room of yours - it’s like a pigsty. And don’t forget what Dad said. If your room isn’t tidy when he gets home, everything will be put in black sacks and into the bin.’   
‘That’s so unfair,’ protested Georgina.  But Mum glared at her. ‘What you need is a book of rules, young lady. Sometimes you’re impossible to live with.’  Georgina left the sofa with a loud sigh, draping her duvet around her shoulders and stomped upstairs...

A little while later mum called up the stairs. ‘Lunch is ready.’
‘But I’m not ready for lunch!’ she yelled back. ‘Couldn’t you bring it upstairs?’
Mum thought Georgina might actually be sorting out her room, so – not wanting to stop her from tidying – she decided she would take her some lunch on a tray.

You can imagine how dismayed she was to find her daughter still in bed watching TV, and her room as messy as ever.  This time Mum nearly exploded. ‘Georgina! You will get dressed and get on with it RIGHT NOW!’  She headed back out of the room, taking the lunch tray with her... 

[some time later...]

'Brilliant,' Georgina thought. 'Dad has tidied my room!' But then she noticed that loads of her things were missing!  She flung open the cupboard doors. All her games had gone, and her secret chocolate store! She shot into her parent’s bedroom expecting to see a stack of bin liners with everything in them… but there was nothing. 

Georgina began to sense the worst. She ran downstairs and blurted out, ‘Dad, where’s all my stuff?’  ‘Gone – as I said it would be if you didn’t tidy your room. You’ve had enough warnings.’  
‘But it’s not out by the bin – where is it? You can’t just throw away all my stuff!’
Her father stared at her for a moment. Eventually he said: ‘I didn’t. I gave it away to people who might appreciate it. Oh, and I found your phone and gave it to mum. She needs it while she’s at the hospital with Harry.’
‘My phone? How could you do that?’ Georgina shouted. He looked at her with raised eyebrows.  Georgina stormed upstairs, flung herself on her bed, and promply burst into tears...

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Song  -  by Peter O'Hare  

A gentle, thoughtful song about choice of direction in life.  The books are metaphorical – books of love, hope, peace, and trust – and the lyrics explore the purpose of ‘reading’ those books. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  Why do you think Georgina never tidied her room? 

2.  What sort of person do you think Georgina is?

3.  How do you think Georgina’s parents could encourage her to change? 

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'Think About' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

Think About... by Ruth Kenward - 5 to 7 yrs - KS1  (1m 34s)

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Theme  -  Choosing a good way to live 
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Story  -  by Ruth Kenward  (approx 6 mins)

Extract: 
George was a boy who liked to please himself. He did what he liked, and said what he liked. He didn’t really stop to think about what he did or said, and how it might affect the other people around him.

Take Monday, for example. As usual, George didn’t feel like getting out of bed. ‘George!’ his mum called. ‘It’s time to get up!’  But George just snuggled further under the covers.  
‘I’ll get up in a minute…’ he thought, and he turned over and went back to sleep.

The next thing George knew, his brother Adam was opening the bedroom door, then shouting down to their mother: ‘Mum! George is still asleep!’ Then came the sound of feet thundering up the stairs.

Their mother pushed past Adam and pulled back the bedding.
‘Get out of that bed!’ she shouted.  ‘All right Mum, don’t panic!’ George called after her, rudely, as she rushed back downstairs with Adam behind her...

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward  

Everything we choose in life makes us who we are.  This appealing song manages to convey such a huge subject matter in very simple words. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  George was only thinking about himself. Who else should he have been thinking about?

2.  If George had thought before he was rude to his mum, why would the day have ended better?

3.  What advice would you give George to help prevent another day being like this?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'the Books Of Life' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

This Is The Place Where We Live by Ruth Kenward - 5 to 7 yrs - KS1  (1m 34s)

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Theme  -  Building a better world
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Story  -  by Ruth Kenward  (approx 6 mins)

Extract:
Freddie loved playing in the adventure playground, which was in the park at the end of his road... Mums and dads would sit on the benches and chat with each other, while Freddie and his friends would swing on the rope swings, race along the walkways, clamber up the climbing frames, jump off the platforms and wriggle through the tunnels. 

It was great to have an adventure playground so close to home, but it was growing old and tatty. Some of the equipment was a bit wonky, it all needed a good coat of paint, and there was often litter lying about. The playground belonged to the council, but sadly they didn't have enough money to look after it properly. The whole neighbourhood was a bit of a mess, and money was needed for lots of other important things.

'Money doesn't grow on trees,' said Freddie's dad. 'If it did, I'd pick lots of money off those trees and take you and Mum to live in a palace! But this is the place where we live, and we're stuck with it.' 

One day, when they were at the adventure playground, Freddie jumped off a high platform onto the ground below and landed awkwardly. He fell forward and had to stop himself with his hands. 'Ouch!' he gasped. 'That hurts!' Looking down, he realized that he'd landed on a smashed bottle. One of his hands was bleeding from a deep cut, and Dad had to take him to the hospital to have stitches. 

Another time when they went to the park, there was graffiti all over the tunnels, and part of the climbing frame was broken. Somebody had even tipped a load of rubbish right next to the gate. 'That's the last straw!' said Dad. 'I'm going to ring the council to complain.'...  

As soon as they got home, Dad was on the phone. ‘The playground isn’t safe anymore!’ he said. But when he finished the call he looked even more cross than he was before!
‘I don’t believe it!’ he said. ‘They’re going to close the adventure playground!’

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward  

A simple song to encourage young children to take care of their environment. Lyrical, easy to learn and useful alongside environmental projects. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  By the end of the story the whole neighbourhood was involved mending the playground.  Who got it all started? 

2.  Before the playground was mended some people were doing graffiti on the tunnels and dumping litter. Why do you think they did that?  

3.  The whole of planet Earth is our neighbourhood! What can we do to take care of it?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Come With Me' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.

Time To Move Along by Peter O'Hare - 7 to 11 yrs - KS2

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Theme  -  Moving to a new school, from secure to unknown
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Story  -  by John Kenward  (approx 7 mins)

Extract:
The Year Six children were heading towards the hall.   They were going to a meeting about the ‘taster days’ they were to experience at their new schools the following day. 

Kate was worried.  ‘Well,’  she explained,  ‘my cousin said if you get in the way of the older kids they might push your head down the toilet!’

‘That’s rubbish,’ replied Anya. ‘I’ve got two sisters and a brother at St. Richard’s, and nothing like that happened to them.’ Kate sighed. This didn’t reassure her much: she wasn’t going to St. Richard’s.

‘Do you know,' Simon was telling Marley, 'that if you don’t get your homework done in time, you get detention after school for three hours – even if you’ve got a football match or something!’  ‘What exactly is detention?’ asked Marley, who instantly wished he hadn’t, when Simon gave him a withering look of disbelief.  ‘I can’t believe you just asked that!’ he said.

Rubina (who seemed to know everything there was to know) chipped in to answer Marley’s question. ‘It’s like a sort of prison in the school,’  she explained,  ‘where you sit chained to a desk in silence until you finish your work.’  

‘Oh...’ said Marley, weakly. The children had reached the hall by this time, so the conversation stopped. Mrs. Brinson, the Head Teacher, waited for everyone to sit and settle down before she addressed them. 

‘Tomorrow is an important stepping stone in your lives,’  she began. ’When you visit your new schools...

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Song  -  by Peter O'Hare 

A great leavers’ song, with a laid back reggae style. The focus is on the hopes and fears of moving to a brand new school, as well as appreciation of the friends and shared experiences at the current school.  Perfect for the end of Year 6.  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  Why do you think Kate was so terrified of going to her new school?

2.  Do you think that Simon and Rubina’s ideas about detention were right?

3.  What advice do you think Kate would give people at our school about moving on?
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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'First Day' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

Theme  -  Sharing problems
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Story  -  by John Kenward  (approx 10 mins)

Extract:
...Later that morning, Dad asked the girls to walk down to the end of the road to the mini-supermarket to get some extra lemonade for the party. As they left the house Sarah noticed her brother with three other boys she didn’t recognise. They were walking in a group, further up the street.  She and Karen crossed the road carefully, and went into the shop. They were delighted to find two bottles of lemonade for the price of one, and joined the small queue at the checkout. 

Out the corner of her eye Sarah thought she saw David slip into the shop, or perhaps it could have been one of the other boys he had been with. Once they’d paid for the drink, Karen headed for the exit, but Sarah held back, curious as to whether it really had been her brother with those boys. She glanced back up the shopping aisle before she went to follow Karen.

Through a crowd of people she saw the boy from behind, and realised that it must be David, as it was definitely his baseball cap. A second later, she wished she hadn’t looked, as she saw the boy take a chocolate bar off the shelf and stuff it into his jeans pocket. David? A shoplifter? She watched, horrified, as two other boys put their thumbs up to him through the glass window. 

Heart thumping, Sarah turned away in a hurry to catch up with Karen, who was out of the shop by this time. Her mind raced. Surely David wasn't a shoplifter? ...

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Song  -  by Peter O'Hare 

A rock style song about friendship. 'When it all goes wrong...  Turn to me: I'll be your friend.' Very easy to teach and learn, with a simple structure.  The uplifting middle-8 and the counter-melody at the end make this a good song for junior choir too.  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  Why didn’t Sarah confide in Karen straight away when she thought she saw her brother shoplifting?

2.  Why is it important to have someone to turn to when you need help or support?

3.  Why might Karen’s brother have needed someone to turn to?
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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'A What If Monster' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

You Gotta Try  by Peter O'Hare - 7 to 11 yrs - KS2  (1m 47s)

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Theme  -  Perseverance
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Story  -  by John Kenward  (approx 10 mins)

Extract:
Rakesh was sitting between his aunt and uncle, on armchairs facing the television.  It felt strange, and he tried to keep the tears from welling up in his eyes as he remembered his mother and father, and his sister Meena, who he would never see again.  The earthquake had changed everything.  He took a bite of the biscuit that Auntie Manisha had given him, and tried to concentrate on its flavour.

‘This will be a new experience for you!’ Auntie Manisha said, trying to cheer him up. She frowned  to herself, worried that Rakesh still hadn’t spoken a word since he arrived in England.

Rakesh gasped as the TV suddenly flickered into life, and moving pictures of people appeared.  His eyes widened as he watched television for the first time in his life.  He hadn’t a clue what the people on the screen were saying, but although he was still tired after his journey from India, he watched with total concentration until it was time for bed.  The TV helped to block out his painful memories of the earthquake.

The next day Uncle Sanjay took Rakesh for a short walk along the street.  His legs were still weak and his ribs still bruised, but Rakesh was determined to get stronger and walk properly again...

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Song  -  by Peter O'Hare 

A strong, positive song about not giving up.  The energetic chorus says it all ‘You gotta try, try, keep on trying!’ The key change into the final chorus gives the song a great finish that children enjoy. (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points - samples

1.  Why do you think Rakesh didn’t speak to anyone when he first in England, not even his aunt and uncle?

2.  Do you think it was harder for Rakesh on his first day than it was for you? 

3.  How do you think you would cope if you were in Rakesh’s situation? 
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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS2'. There is a parallel assembly for KS1 'Every Step Counts' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS1'.

'Your Way Or My Way'  by Ruth Kenward - 5 to 7 yrs - KS1  (1m 44s)

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Theme  -  Dealing with different points of view

Story  -  by Ruth & John Kenward  (approx. 6 mins)

Extract:
It was Friday afternoon and the children were having 'choosing time'. Katie and Adam headed over to the reading comer where there was a huge box of dressing up clothes. 
'I'm going to be a princess,' Katie told Adam, as she pulled out a shiny white dress with silvery patterns on it. 'And' she added, 'I'm going to have a big party with lots of guests.'
'That's a good idea,' said Adam, 'and I'll get all the party food ready.'  'Great!' said Katie...

...Realising she was going to take ages, Adam decided he’d dress up too. Rummaging around in the dressing-up box, he found a policeman’s costume. ‘I know,’ he thought, ‘I’ll dress up as a policeman and be the princess’s bodyguard. That’ll make it more fun!’ 

At last Katie decided she looked like a proper princess, and she turned to Adam. ‘I’m ready now,’ she said. ‘But why are you being a policeman?’
‘I’m going to be your bodyguard,’ Adam explained, ‘because that’s what princesses have.’
Katie frowned and sat down grumpily. ‘But it’s my party,’ she said, ‘and I don’t want a policeman.’
Adam stood looking at her crossly. ‘But I’m a bodyguard policeman! That’s what princesses have!’  ‘I don’t care,’ Katie retorted, ‘I don’t want one.’  ‘Well,’ said Adam crossly, ‘policemen are more important than princesses anyway.’  Katie folded her arms. ‘No they’re not,’ she huffed, ‘so you can’t come.’ 
‘Why do we have to do it your way?’ Adam asked, but Katie just turned her back on him...

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Song  -  by Ruth Kenward  

A useful song to help children learn about sharing and taking turns, and making good relationships.  (Sample on the audio player above.)

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Reflection Points  -  samples

1.  Who do you think was most to blame when they were arguing?

2.  How did the teacher help Adam and Katie to sort things out?

3.  How do you sort out disagreements when you're playing with your friends?

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This assembly is from 'Assemblies Alive KS1'. There is a parallel assembly for KS2 'Talk It Through' with the same theme in 'Assemblies Alive KS2'.