Through the Doorway
Passing through the doorway to success
by Helen Gwynne-Kinsey
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To reflect upon the start of the new school year.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Through the Doorway) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
Ask the children, ‘Have you ever found yourself entering a room with a purpose, only to find that once you’re there, you’ve completely forgotten what you came for?’
Listen to a range of responses.
Ask the children whether they have been around parents or other adults who walk into a room and say that they have forgotten what they came for. - Show Slide 2.
Point out that scientists have discovered that if this happens, we don’t need to worry. In fact, it happens so often, it even has a name: the Doorway Effect. A study by scientists at an American university found that going through doorways from one room to another actually makes us forget things. Who would have thought that doors could have such an effect upon our brains? I wonder if a few teachers think that we forget things when we walk through the doorway to the classroom! - Show Slide 3.
Doorways are significant in many world religions too. For example, in many Jewish homes, a small rectangular object called a mezuzah is fixed to the right doorpost. The case contains verses from the Torah on a scroll, providing a constant reminder to whoever enters that this is a sacred space where one should live according to God’s laws.
Show Slide 4.
It also calls to mind the Bible verse, ‘You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.’ (Deuteronomy 28.6) - It seems that doorways have always had a special status. This is because they enable people to enter and leave, to pass from one environment to another. In ancient times, this was connected with things such as passing from one stage of life to the next.
- Show Slide 5.
The Romans had a god called Janus, who was the god of gates, doors, beginnings and endings. He is depicted as having two heads: one facing forwards and the other facing backwards. The month of January is named after him, and it is customary in January for us to look back at the previous year and start the new year afresh, looking forward with positivity and resolution.
Time for reflection
As we begin the new school year, let us imagine ourselves passing through a doorway.
The doorway leads us into a new space that is full of positive opportunities.
In passing through this doorway, let us commit to doing the best that we can, both for ourselves and for others.
Let us aim for success, and as the new school year progresses, let us not forget what our purpose is.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
We thank you for the opportunities that a good education can bring, and we ask for your help to do the right thing this year.
If we need some extra help, grant us the courage to ask for support.
If we see others who are struggling, help us to help them too.
Please enable us to try our best in every situation.
Please help us to think about what is best for ourselves and for others.
Amen.
Song/music
‘A million dreams’ from the film The Greatest Showman, available at: https://youtu.be/pSQk-4fddDI (4.29 minutes long)
