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

________________________________________

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

________________________________________

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...

________________________________________

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.)

________________________________________

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?

________________________________________

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'.