Never Give Up
Based on the true story of Gertrude Ederle
by Hannah Taylor
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To consider the importance of not giving up, and how perseverance can help us to reach our goals.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the YouTube clip ‘The First Woman to Swim the English Channel’ and the means to display it. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AiWYGj6a008
- You will need the YouTube clip ‘Young Woman and the Sea – Official Trailer’ and the means to display it. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8DKr2oa7Cs
Assembly
- Ask the children to raise their hand if they enjoy swimming.
Comment on the response.
Now ask them to raise their hand if they could swim for 21 miles. You may wish to name a town that is 21 miles away and ask if they could swim that distance. - Point out that 21 miles is a long way! Explain that today’s assembly is all about someone called Gertrude Ederle, who was the first woman to swim right across the English Channel, from Dover in England, to Cape Gris-Nez in France.
- Show the YouTube clip ‘The First Woman to Swim the English Channel’. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AiWYGj6a008
- Gertrude loved to swim from an early age, and it wasn’t long before her swimming teacher noticed her potential. And in the space of 4 years, she achieved 29 national and worldwide records.
- In 1925, a whole 100 years ago, Gertrude attempted the biggest swim of all, one that had not yet been achieved by a woman. Many people expected her to fail and claimed that she would not be able to do it because she was weaker than a man. Gertrude attempted to swim the whole 21 miles but after 9 hours of swimming, she grew tired and was pulled out of the water.
- This would have been upsetting for Gertrude, feeling that she had failed not just herself, but her family, friends and supporters. In this situation, some people may have given up on the idea, but Gertrude chose to have perseverance, and she tried again the following year.
- The following year in 1926, Gertrude started her journey in France and swam through the cold and dangerous waves, even swimming through a mass of jellyfish that stung her all over her body. This shows just how determined she was to achieve her goal. To everyone’s astonishment, Gertrude made it to Dover, and she held the new record of 14 hours and 31 minutes, beating the men's record by an hour and 59 minutes.
- This incredible lady inspired so many people around the world. A recent film pays tribute to her achievement. Show the YouTube trailer ‘Young Woman and the Sea – Official Trailer’. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8DKr2oa7Cs
- Gertrude’s hearing was later affected by all her swimming, which led to her becoming a swimming instructor for deaf children. Even something that must have been difficult for her to accept, was used for the good of others.
Time for reflection
Next time we want to achieve something, maybe a new hobby, fundraising for charity, or even winning races on sports Day, let’s think of how Gertrude Ederle’s mindset helped her to achieve her goals.
Perseverance, determination, and passion can lead to incredible things.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the opportunities that we have now and those that await us in the future.
Please help us to learn from our mistakes.
Please help us to not give up.
Please help us to practice perseverance,
As we aim to achieve our goals and dreams.
Amen.
Song/music
‘Don’t stop believing’ by Journey. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k8craCGpgs
‘When you Believe’ form the film Prince of Egypt. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsJ1KTzSg48
