Thursday, 9 April 2026

Pints and Ponytails

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp9vx1z4jkno?fbclid=IwY2xjawREXPlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJNazRnaVczUFRqa0VxdnNRc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkF7ptRrDj8w5V4EvUkPRctXPlLfnfl9jX2xSvg2dPlqJDtFG0nUXimOYHHW_aem_gwirNtDCQCx6wr5fom3geQ

What do you see, what do you notice, what is going on here, what do think the story is?

There are three clues to what this story is about - the pony, the bun and the mermaid - what are they?

The photo shows an event in London called "Pints and Pony Tails" where 35 men are learning to style hair.

Why do you think they want to do that?

The founder of the event says, "It's Dads turning up who struggle with basic hairstyles."

Why do you think these dads are struggling with hairstyles?

The event was founded by two new Dads, Matt Carter and Lawrence Price. Lawrence says, "Both Matt and I struggled in our first year or two of fatherhood. I suffered my first anxiety attack. We realised there wasn't enough information to guide dads in to such a different chapter in their lives."

Why do you think there is a lack of support for new dads?
What kind of support do you think Matt and Lawrence are talking about? Is it just about doing hair?

Matt and Lawrence made a short video for social media about their first event.

What do you think the response was on social media?

Some people online shared the video and criticised Matt and Lawrence for being unmasculine. 

Why would someone say that?
Do you agree or disagree that this is about being masculine? Can you see different points of view?
What do you think happened next?

The video was watched by more than 25 million people. Following the video going viral, the next Pints and Ponytails event sold out in 10 minutes.

Why do you think men who bought tickets weren't worried about being labelled unmasculine?

One of the Dads at the event says, "It's important to have conversations with other guys about what they are going through. We don't normally go to the pub to talk about brushing our daughter's hair, we normally talk about football, not plaits."

Why do you think this dad says men usually only talk about football? Is that a problem?

There is a nice short video here from BBC news where you can see the event.


It's interesting that everyone in the video talks about wanting to learn to do their daughter's hair. 
Do you have any comments about that? What assumption is the news making here? 

If we are being inclusive, should mums be invited to this?

What can we learn from Pints and Ponytails?
Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British Value is this about?

Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org


No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 




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Friday, 20 March 2026

Disability is not a limitation

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy11q1pwpgo?amp;at_campaign=rss

What do you see in the picture? What do you notice, what are they doing, what do you think this story is about?

The picture shows model and writer Abena Christine Jon'el at a fashion show in Ghana last month. 

Abena wanted her appearance to make an impact at the show so she wrapped her prosthetic leg in something. Can you work out what her leg is wrapped in?

Abena wrapped her prosthetic leg in  Ghanian Kente.


Why do you think she did that?

Abena was born in America and moved to live in Ghana five years ago. She says, "I am Ghanian by ancestry and adoption. I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me. That is exactly what Ghana is to me."

What does Abena mean by this, can you explain it in other words?

Abena wanted to make a statement about the visibility of people with disabilities. 

Abena talks about being a child with disability. Following an illness, Abena had her leg amputated aged 2. She says, "Movement became a way of measuring survival and rebuilding confidence. In a way it was taking ownership of a body that had been through so much."

Why/ how  is movement a way of measuring survival?
Why does Abena say she wants to take ownership of her body?

Abena became a writer and a speaker. Here philosophy is, "Let me hold a mirror so you can see yourself and what you can accomplish if you believe."

What do you think that means?

Kente is a traditional handwoven textile celebrated for it's vibrant colours and deep cultural symbolism. Abena wants Ghanian's to see disabled people as they are: ambitious, stylish, talented, complex, proud and human.

"Disability is not a limitation. Having a disability is not what makes you disabled."

What does Abena mean by that?

"Lack of support, lack of accessibility, that's what makes you disabled."

What is a lack of accessibility?

When Abena stepped on to the runway wearing the flag, she received lots of praise. Her walk was the most talked about moments of the night. The fashion show organiser said, "Her walk was a powerful affirmation that talent, beauty and confidence know no limitations."

Another comment was, "This is what true inclusion looks like, celebrating every story, every body and every ability."

Why wrap her prosthetic leg in the Kente, why not wear t as a headscarf or cloak?
Do you think without the kente, this story would have had such impact?
Do you agree with the definition of inclusion? What is true in inclusion for you?

For Abena, the most important message was that disabled people were not just spectators, they were centre stage. Abena wants inclusion "not to be quietly suggested, but boldly demanded."

Which protected characteristics does this story cover?

Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British Value is this about?

Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org


No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 







 


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Friday, 13 March 2026

Ideas can change

 

https://onefootball.com/en/news/elland-road-applauds-ramadan-break-during-leeds-uniteds-fa-cup-win-over-norwich-42526050

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-daniel-farke-elland-road-norwich-city-5624287

What do you see in the photo? Where is this taken, what do you think is happening, what do you think the story might be?

This story is a follow up from the assembly last week.

What was the assembly last week about?

Last week we talked about a football match at Elland Rd where Muslim players were booed as the game was stopped for 78 seconds so that Muslim players who were celebrating Ramadan could break their fast. There were different responses to that behaviour and we talked about what we say at our school to respect different religions.

Last weekend fans went to watch Leeds United play Norwich at Elland Rd and again the game was stopped at sunset to respect those celebrating Ramadan so they could break their fast. But this time something different happened in the crowd. 

What do you think happened this time?

This time when Muslim players broke their fast and the game was stopped, the crowd cheered and applauded.

Why do you think that happened?

Leeds manager Daniel Farke said, "Football shows how people from different passports, cultures and religions can unite behind one goal." He said the cheering was a perfect message. "Football is a perfect example of how the world should be united. The world can learn from how football brings people together from different cultures."

What does he mean by that?
Why is the cheering a perfect message?

Daniel talked about last week and said, "It was not a piece of how we should live together as human beings."

How should we live together as human beings?

Last week the response from Daniel Farke when fans booed was very different. Last week Daniel said, "I was focused on the game. Disappointed with some fans and we learn from it."

Compare Daniel's responses over the last two weeks; what do you notice, why do you think he has changed his response?

It's interesting that fans booed last week and cheered this week. How can that happen?
Perhaps there were different fans at this game - do you think that is the reason?
If someone has racist ideas, can those ideas change? How can they change? Can they change in 7 days?

What can we learn from Leeds fans and this story?
What can we learn about football?
Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British Value is this about?

Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org


No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 




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Thursday, 5 March 2026

Ramadan football

 

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13513536/pep-guardiola-tells-fans-to-respect-religion-after-ramadan-break-booed-during-man-citys-win-at-leeds

What do you see in the photo? Where do you think it was taken, what is the story here?

The photo shows screens last week at the Man City v Leeds match at Elland Road in Leeds. 

What is Ramadan? What is a fast? Why did the game stop so players could  "break their fast" - what does that mean?

In the 13th minute as the sun set at 5:42 there was a short break in the game so that players who were taking part in daily fasting could take food and drink on the touchline.

Why didn't they wait till half time?
How long do you think the play stopped for?

The play stopped for 78 seconds. 

What do you think happened when the game stopped?

When the game stopped, some members of the crowd at Elland Rd booed loudly.

Why do you think they did that? 
What does that show about some people in the UK today?
What do you think is the impact on the players and on other supporters when they hear boos? 

The Man City boss Pep Guardiola spoke about the break in the play after the game. He said, "It's the modern world, right?" 

What does he mean by that?

Pep continued; "Respect the religion, respect the diversity. That's the point. It's the rule. We didn't say that, it was the Premier League who said: for the fasting, you can spend one or two minutes in the game to do that, for the players to do it. So yeah, it is what it is. Unfortunate."

What do you think of Pep Guardiola's response? (interesting, for example that he implies it's not their rule, it's the premier League rule. also "It is what it is" - Is he saying "It's not my fault"?)

Leeds Assistant manager Daniel Farke also commented after the game; "I was focused on the game. Disappointed with some supporters and we learn from it"

What do you think of these responses? Are they strong enough?
How do you think a manager should respond to racism? (is this racism?)
Is there a law about this in the UK?

Kick It Out is a charity campaigning against discrimination in football. They said,
"It is massively disappointing that some Leeds United fans jeered when Manchester City's players broke their fast during the first half of the match at Elland Road this evening. Pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years now. It's an important and visible part of making the game visible for Muslim players and communities."

Why do you think Kick It Out want Muslim players and communities to feel they are visible in football?

"But as tonight's reaction shows, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance"

Why use the words education and acceptance?
How does this response differ to the responses from the two managers? 
What advice would you give to the managers on responding to this behaviour if it happened again?

If you were at the match and the person next to you started booing when the players stopped for 78 seconds, if you felt safe enough to speak up, what could you say to the person booing?
If you don't say anything, what will the person booing assume?
How do we stop this happening in the future? Should we cancel all football games during religious festivals?
What do we say at our school about respecting different religion and belief?

Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British Value is this about?


Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org


No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 


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Friday, 27 February 2026

Eiffel Tower

 

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/general/general/the-eiffel-tower-will-soon-have-72-women-s-names-engraved-on-the-monument-who-are-they-and-why/ar-AA1Wgrww?ocid=BingNewsVerp

https://agerpres.ro/2026/02/02/romanian-born-microbiologist-among-72-women-scientists-honored-on-eiffel-tower-frieze--1524268

What do you see in the photo, where is it? What else do you notice? What do you think this story might be about?

The Eiffel Tower was inaugurated for the 1889 World's fair. When the tower was opened there were engravings of names on the first floor. 72 people had their name engraved. 

Who do you think these people were? 
Why do you think their names were engraved on the Eiffel Tower?

72 scientists had their names engraved in 1889. These were people who it was felt had left their mark in science. 

Can you think of any scientists whose names might be there?

The names included people like Michel Foucault, a French philosopher, Augustin-Jen Fresnel, a French physicist who invented the wave theory of light which was eventually used in the first lighthouses, and Augustin-Louis Cauchy, a French mathematician.

What protected characteristic do all these people have in common?

Last year it was announce that 72 further names would be added to those already engraved on the Eiffel tower, "To paint a more complete version of scientific history."

What does that mean- how can history be incomplete?
What do you think is planned?

72 names of female scientists will be added this year. These will include mathematicians, physicists, oceanographers, physicians. Their names will be added on a strip just above the existing frieze. 

    

Why do you think women's names were missed off in 1889? Did the designers just forget?
Can anyone think of female scientists?
Some people say that women's contributions to science have been erased from history or relegated to the background. Why do you think that is?

The names to be added include Marie Curie, who pioneered radioactivity and Rosalind Franklin, the first woman to circumnavigate the globe in the 18th Century; she made advances in botanical research. Anita Conti was an oceanographer whose work transformed our understanding of the seas.

The aim is to shine a light on inspiring role models for a new generation and remind us that research has never been the preserve of a single gender.

What does that mean?
One might argue that the Eiffel tower is an historical monument built for its time. Should we be altering it 140 years later? Why not build a new monument and include women's names? What do you think? Can you see different points of view here?
 
The Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said, "Soon young girls gazing at the Eiffel tower will be able to aspire to become doctors, mathematicians, chemists, biologists, computer scientists, engineers, physicists, astrophysicists, or climate scientists. We need scientists and women to shape the future of our world."

Why not boys? Do you think Anne is right to highlight just girls in this way?
Why is this about No Outsiders - who is the outsider in this story?
What has this story got to do with us in our school?
Which British Value is this about?

 Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org


No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 


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Thursday, 19 February 2026

Plane baby

 

https://www.upworthy.com/when-can-babies-fly-on-planes-ex1

What do you see in the picture? Who you you see? Where are they? What do you think this story is about?

Passengers on a flight recently were surprised to receive a little zip lock bag with sweets inside. It wasn't a gift from the airline, it was a gift from one of the other passengers. They handed the bags out to all the other passengers before take off. There was also a note in the bag.

Why give out a small bag of sweets to passengers before a flight?
What do you think the note read?

The note read, "It's my first flight. I made a deal to be on my best behaviour- but I can't make any guarantees. I might cry if I get scared or if my ears start to hurt. Here are some treats to make your flight enjoyable. Thank you for being patient with us. Have a great flight."

Who do you think wrote the note?
Why write it?
Why can't they guarantee to be on their best behaviour?
How do you think the gift made passengers feel?

The story got a lot of reaction online. Many people felt the gift showed the parent was being considerate by apologising to everyone before flight in case their baby screamed. 

What do you think?

Others responded to the note with frustration. 

Why do you think some people felt frustrated?

Some people felt frustrated that the the parent felt they had to do this. Imagine getting a baby ready for their first flight and all the things you have to do, and now you're also making up 50 sweet bags for strangers!
"This is so sweet but also kind of breaks my heart that we live in a world in which parents feel the need to do that."
"That poor parent probably spent nights awake, nervous about that flight, thinking about ways to keep strangers happy."
"Just because some people have shamed parents in to believing that they need to apologise for their kids' absolutely normal behaviour. What an absolute gem of a parent."
"That parent took up valuable carry on luggage space for those treats."

There are different points of view here. Another argument is that it is not fair on passengers to suffer a screaming baby on a ten hour flight..
On the other hand, how do young children learn to behave if we don't take them out in public?

Many people supported the parent saying it was not their responsibility to make others feel comfortable on board:
"No parent should be apologising. Adults control their emotions, babies not."
"Dear new parents, no you don't have to do this. Your babies have the right to exist. We all know babies cry. We know you do your best."

One commented that a crying baby is far more stressful on the parent than on other passengers who can just crank up the volume on headphones."

What do you think?
Did the parent do the right thing?
How would you respond if you were on that plane?

Why is this about No Outsiders - who is the outsider in this story?
Which British Value is this about?

 Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org


No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 






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Friday, 6 February 2026

Peace walk - Mental Health Week



https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/rescue-dog-leading-19-buddhist-monks-on-2300-mile-peace-walk-across-the-us/

What do you see in the picture, who are they, what do you think they are doing and what do you think this story is about?

The picture shows a group of 19 Buddhist monks on a peace walk.

What is a Buddhist monk? Is that a job? How does a person become a monk?
What do you think a peace walk is?

Do you notice anything else on the walk with them?

An abandoned dog has joined the monks. They have named the dog Aloka and he has walked with them for hundreds of miles. First across India and now they are walking 2300 miles across America finishing at Washington DC.

What is in Washington DC, why do you think the monks are finishing there?

Their goal is...

Why do you think they are doing this? What do you think the goal is?

Their goal is to promote unity and compassion.

What is unity, what is compassion?
How can a walk promote community and compassion?

A governor in Texas said, "When I heard about this 2300 mile walk, I was amazed. It really touches the hearts and minds of people. We live in a time when the noise often drowns out understanding, where division can feel louder than unity - but this is what the community and interfaith solidarity looks like."

How can a walk touch hearts and minds, what does that mean?
What does "The noise drowns out understanding" mean? What noise?
The governor says, "Division can feel louder than unity" How can you feel division?
What do you think interfaith means?

The monks are expecting the walk to take.....

How long do you think it takes to walk 2300 miles?

They are expecting it to take 110 days. 

How many miles are they expecting to walk each day? How can you work that out?

(20 miles each day)

Along the way the monks are experiencing warm welcomes from members of the public. A store in Texas gave the monks free ice cream, Doctors in Alabama gave the monks free check ups. Large crowds gathered everywhere to cheer them on and give them free meals.

How do you think people feel when they see the monks?
Why are so many people going to see them?

People also love meeting Aloka. The monks say, "Aloka is a very good boy helping to carry the message of peace and harmony, and watching over us all the while."

This week is Children's Mental Health week across the UK; 

What is Mental Health?

This year the theme for Mental Health week is "This is my place". 

What do you think that means?

Organisers say, "When we feel accepted and valued, we grow stronger in our minds and bodies."

How does feeling accepted affect our mental health?
Why is is this story about mental health? Who is feeling accepted in this story?

One argument is that a peace walk won't change anything - who is it for?
What do you think? 

What do we say at our school about Mental Health?
Why is this story about No Outsiders?
Which British Value is this about?

Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 





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