Strings

My assembly, this week, has been developed over a number of weeks. Having had the initial idea I enrolled Mr Harrington-Tucker and some of his drama students to create visual representations, as I progressed through the theme each morning.

The students had some great ideas and they changed their performance as they went through the week, creating a mesmerising outcome. The lighting, music, smoke and the masks had the visual impact needed to highlight a serious issue.

Students were taken from the handheld puppet toys of their childhood, through to the difference between being nurtured and supported and being controlled. Then we explored the need for agreed sets of standards and rules in a community.

However, we finally looked at others trying to control us, including being tied to the strings of a mobile phone. For the older children the issue of controlling, coercive behaviour was highlighted and how to report concerns. For the younger children we finished with 'how to tell if a friendship has a positive impact on your life'. Friendships help to shape your success or they can diminish you. Look for the signs and listen; find true friendship.