Starting a New Chapter
An assembly for the start of the new school year
by Rebecca Parkinson
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To consider a new school year as a fresh start full of opportunities.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Starting a New Chapter) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
Ask the children which book is their favourite at the moment.
Listen to a range of responses. - Show Slide 2.
Point out that in many of their classes, the children will be being given new exercise books at the start of the year. Ask the children how they feel when they are given a new exercise book.
Listen to a range of responses. - Show Slide 3.
Explain that there is something exciting, but also daunting about opening a new book at a blank page. It is exciting to think about all the ideas that you will fill the book with, but it can also feel scary to think about all the work that you will need to do! - At the start of a new school year, we all have the opportunity for a fresh start. We can decide whether to present our work neatly, whether to try hard and much more.
Show Slide 4.
In many ways, the year ahead is like a blank book – we all have the opportunity to write our story for the year. Wanting a fresh start often extends beyond getting a new exercise book. We might want to commit to doing our best in every area of our lives. - Point out that September is a good time to consider what our dreams and hopes for the coming academic year are. It is a chance for a fresh start, with exciting possibilities and opportunities.
Time for reflection
Show Slide 5.
Christians believe that God always wants to give them a fresh start. They believe that God wants to forgive mistakes from the past and help them to live in a new and better way.
People in school are always ready to give us a fresh start. Sometimes, we need help with this. Encourage the children to speak to someone if they need help with having a fresh start.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that you are always willing to give us a fresh start.
Thank you for your love for us.
As we start a new school year, please help us to make good decisions about the way ahead.
Please help us to work hard this year and to form good friendships.
Please help us in all the ups and downs.
Amen.
Song/music
‘A whole new world’ from the film Aladdin, available at: https://youtu.be/eitDnP0_83k (3.09 minutes long)
