The Journey
Moving forwards
by Janice Ross
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To consider changes that happen in our lives.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (The Journey) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Ask the children what they understand by the phrase ‘the journey of life’.
Listen to a range of responses.
Explain that life is often described as a journey. We are all at different stages in our journey of life. - Show Slide 1.
Sometimes, we face choices about which path to take. When we are out for a walk and we reach a fork in the path, we need to decide which way to go. Likewise, in life, we are constantly making decisions. Some of these decisions are small, whereas others can seem enormous! - Ask the children to think about how many decisions they have already made today. Ask them what they think are the biggest decisions they have made so far today.
Listen to a range of responses. - Point out that we all have different hopes, dreams and ambitions for our lives.
Show Slide 2.
Some parts of the journey will be hard. At other times, it will feel like life is quite straightforward. However, for each of us, a time is likely to come when we face something unexpected or particularly challenging. We never know when these times might happen. - Show Slide 3.
A journey implies change. Ask the children whether they have ever moved house or school, or joined a new club where they didn’t know anyone. Ask them how they felt.
Listen to a range of responses.
Explain that transitions can make us feel various emotions including excitement, nervousness and sadness. - Show Slide 4.
Some parts of the journey will involve bigger hurdles and challenges than others.
Moving schools is a big change in our life journey. The move could be from primary to secondary or from secondary to college. Alternatively, it might involve moving to a different area and attending a different school.
Encourage the children to think about things in school that are the same as last year and things that are different for them.
Listen to a range of responses. - Explain that as we start a new academic year, we will face many changes. Some children have joined the school for the first time, others have moved classes, there are new members of staff, there may be some new buildings and so on.
Use this part of the assembly to introduce new people.
Time for reflection
Show Slide 5.
Remind the children that as we progress through the year, we are all going to need help at different times. It is important that we care for one another.
Show Slide 6.
Explain that there is a verse in the Bible that says, ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you.’
Ask the children what they think this means.
Listen to a range of responses.
Show Slide 7.
Another verse in the Bible says, ‘Be kind to one another.’
Encourage the children to think about ways in which they could be kind to each other today.
Prayer
Dear God,
As we stand at the crossroads of a new school year, with all the changes that we will face,
Please help us to be brave and courageous.
Please help us to ask for help when we need it.
Please help us to look out for others who might need our help and assistance.
Thank you that you go with us on our life journey.
Please watch over us, protect us and give us courage.
Amen.
Song/music
‘The climb’ by Miley Cyrus, available at: https://youtu.be/NG2zyeVRcbs (3.48 minutes long)
