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'.