The Challenges of Change
The journey of life
by Janice Ross
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To consider the changes that happen in our lives and how we can prepare for them.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (The Challenges of Change) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Explain to the students that life is often described as a journey. We are all travelling on the journey of life.
Show Slide 1.
Sometimes, we are on the same path, and sometimes, we are on different paths. Sometimes, we face choices about which path to take. - 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 and transition. - 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. - Explain that today, we are going to consider how we might prepare ourselves mentally for these big changes.
A good place to start is to consider what will be the same and what will be different. Sometimes, a big challenge looms overhead like a dark cloud, but if we identify our areas of concern and break them down into smaller parts, the challenge doesn’t seem so threatening. - Ask the students to discuss in pairs or small groups the things that they noticed were different as they arrived back at school this term.
Suggestions may include school buildings, staff, their timetable, the number of students, new subject areas and so on.
Encourage the students to focus on the areas of work and study; maybe, as they get older, there is more need for independent study, group work, more homework and so on. - Ask the students to discuss in pairs or small groups the things that are the same as last year.
Suggestions may include people who are there to help, teachers who are welcoming and supportive, friendships and subjects that students are continuing with. - Tell the students that you are going to give them three scenarios. Ask them to think about each one and consider what they might do to deal with these situations.
- Scenario 1: the school building is massive. I’m worried about getting lost on the way to class.
Ask for suggestions as to what someone might do in this situation.
Listen to a range of responses.
Emphasize that we would not be alone in feeling this way. Many who are new to the school may find themselves in this situation, and there will be many people who are happy to help.
- Scenario 2: there are so many students. What if I can’t make friends?
Ask for suggestions as to what someone might do in this situation.
Listen to a range of responses.
Again, emphasize that there will be others who feel the same. Encourage the students to consider what qualities they might look for in a friend. Point out that if we want to have good friends, we need to be good friends. Encourage the students to consider attributes such as kindness, approachability, a shared interest and a smile.
- Scenario 3: what if the work is too hard and I can’t understand it?
Encourage the students to consider how they have learned to cope with difficult work in the past. Suggest that teachers understand the need for revision after the holidays, and that initially, they will be more interested in finding out about the students than about what they can and can’t do.
Time for reflection
Optional: show Slide 5.
You may wish to read the poem ‘Footprints in the sand’. The poem describes how, during life’s toughest times, God helps people through their difficulties – he lifts them and carries them.
The Bible is full of stories about journeys that God’s friends took, people like Abraham, Moses, Joseph and Paul.
Ask the students to reflect on the fact that none of these people were alone on their journey; God had promised them that he would always go with them.
Ask the students how this might help them as they face this new stage in their journey.
Prayer
Dear God,
As we stand at the crossroads of a new 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)
