Potential!

What could the new year mean for us?

by Lydia Parkinson

Suitable for Whole School (Sec)

Aims

To use the new year to consider the meaning of potential.

Preparation and materials

• You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Potential!) and the means to display them.

Assembly

1. Ask the students what the word ‘potential’ means.
   
   Listen to a range of responses.
   
   Explain that it is defined as ‘having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future’.
   
   
2. Ask the students to consider what job they might like to have in the future. If possible, encourage them to discuss this in groups.
   
   Ask the students whether they feel that they have the potential to carry out their dreams or whether they have fears about this.
   
   
3. Show Slide 1.
   
   Explain that these are sunflower seeds.
   
   Show Slide 2.
   
   These seeds have the potential to become this amazing field of beautiful sunflowers!
   
   
4. Show Slide 3.
   
   Explain that this is just a tiny flame.
   
   Show Slide 4.
   
   However, even the tiniest spark has the potential to become a roaring fire.
   
   
5. Show Slide 5.
   
   Point out that these bulbs have the potential to become stunning tulips.
   
   Show Slide 6.
   
   
6. Emphasize that the seeds, a spark and the bulbs all have the potential to become something spectacular, if they are given the right conditions. Seeds and bulbs need nutrients, water and light if they are to become flowers. A spark needs dry wood and oxygen if it is to produce a fire.
   
   
7. Show Slide 7.
   
   Remind the students that all of us were babies once, with the potential for growth and development.
   
   Show Slide 8.
   
   Now all of us are older and we continue to grow and develop in different ways: physically, mentally, intellectually and spiritually. We all need certain things that will help us to grow and fulfil our potential.

Time for reflection

Point out that the start of a new year is a good time to decide to try hard this year in everything that we do. It’s a good time to decide to grasp new opportunities and try new things. It’s also a good time to be thankful for all the people who provide us with food, water, clothes, homes, love and kindness.

Encourage the students to be quiet for a few moments while they think about the potential that is in each of them.

Encourage them to think about how they can fulfil that potential in the coming year.

Pause to allow time for thought.

Point out that we can all help each other to fulfil our potential. Ask the students to think about their friends. Are there things that we could do to help them become the best that they can be?

Pause to allow time for thought.

Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that we are all different and all special.
Please help us to continue to try hard so that we can develop the gifts that we have.
Please help us to grasp new opportunities this year.
Please help us to say thank you to those who help us day after day.
Amen.