Friday, 30 January 2026

LGBT+ History month

 

https://www.lego.com/en-gb/page/why-i-designed-everyone-is-awesome?icmp=LP-SHCC-Standard-Project_Rainbow_CC_Block_1-PR-MT-QAXDTRW46D

What do you see in the picture, what is this, why do you think someone designed it? 

This model is made out of LEGO and is called "Everyone is awesome.". It was designed by artist Matthew Ashton, who is Vice President of Design at LEGO.

What do you think that job involves?
Why do you think Mathew made this and used these colours?

Matthew says, "Being LGBT+ myself, I knew I needed to step up to the plate and make a real statement about love and inclusivity and generally spread some LEGO love to everybody who needs it."

What is LGBT+?
What does step up to the plate mean?
Why do you think Matthew says some people need some LEGO love?

"Children are our role models and they welcome everyone, no matter their background. Something we should all be aspiring to."

Why does Matthew say "children" welcome everyone, why not say "adults"?
What does aspiring to something mean?

Matthew talks about being a young boy in the 1980s when there was a lot of negativity about being different; "I was constantly told by different adults around me what I should and shouldn't play with, that I needed to behave like a 'real boy' and toughen up. I was dissuaded from doing the things that came most naturally to me."

Why do you think adults did this?
Why use the term "real boy" what do you think about that?
Does this still happen today?

Matthew says he thinks adults did this to protect him from being bullied, but actually he was fine with the other kids and wasn't getting bullied. He says the behaviour from adults was exhausting and kicked his confidence.

What do you think about this, can you see why the adults were behaving in this way? 
What would you say (respectfully)  to the adults today?

Matthew designed Everyone is Awesome to show "Things do get better over time and there is a place for everybody."

Why does Matthew say things get better over time, why do we have to wait, why can't things get better right now?

Matthew says if he had been given this set by someone when  younger, "It would have been such a relief to know that somebody had my back. To know I had someone there to say, "I love you, I believe in you, I'll always be here for you."

"This set is not for LGBT+ people, it's for all of the allies - parents, siblings, friends, schoolmates, colleagues etc out there as well."

It's just a LEGO set, how can it mean so much?

This month is LGBT+ history month; what do you think that is about?
Do you think we need a month to celebrate LGBT+ history? What are the different points of view?
What is the law in the UK about this? Who else is protected in that law? 
What do we say at our school about LGBT+ people?
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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Saturday, 24 January 2026

Holocaust Memorial

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shmuel_Gogol

What do you see in the picture? Is this picture taken recently? How do you know? This story is about then man on the left, what is he holding? Can you guess what this story might be about?

In the picture we see Shmuel Gogol on the left He is playing the harmonica in this band.

What is a harmonica?

Shmuel was born in 1924 in Warsaw, Poland. His mother died and he was raised in an orphanage where he was given a harmonica by one of the carers. Shmuel loved playing his harmonica and practised every day.

Everything changed for Shmuel in 1939.

What happened in Poland in 1939?

When war broke out Shmuel went in to hiding around Poland but he was eventually captured and sent to Auschwitz.

What was Auschwitz?
Who ran the prison camps?
What did Nazis believe? 
What groups of people were persecuted?
How many people were taken to concentration camps by the Nazis at this time and what happened to them?

When arriving at Auschwitz, Shmuel's harmonica was taken from him; prisoners were not allowed to have any personal belongings. But he another prisoner also had a harmonica and had managed to hide it. Shmuel traded his food rations for the harmonica and stated playing again in secret.

How easy would it be to play a harmonica in a prison camp without being discovered?

A Nazi discovered him and he was forced to join the Auschwitz orchestra.

Why do you think a concentration camp had an orchestra, when do you think the musicians played?

The Auschwitz orchestra were forced to play every day while prisoners entered the gas chambers. Shmuel had to play while he watched members of his family being led in to the chambers. he would close his eyes and carry on playing?

Why did he carry on playing, why didn't he refuse?

Shmuel made a promise to himself. If he survived Auschwitz, he would tell his story for the rest of his life and he would teach Jewish children to play the harmonica.

Why do you think he wanted to tell his story, why not try to forget that horrific time?
Why carry on playing the harmonica when it must have brought so much pain to him?
Why teach Jewish children to play the harmonica after the war?

Shmuel did survive. It was his harmonica that saved him as it meant the Nazis were using him every day. After the war, Shmuel moved to Israel and founded the Ramat Gan harmonica orchestra. Shmuel honoured his promise for the rest of his life, working with children in schools, telling his story and playing the harmonica. 

In the 1990s book was written based on Shmuel so that children across the world could hear his story.



Why do you think Shmuel wanted to tell his story? How do you think he feels when he speaks about what happened?
What if this story upsets children? Do you think children like you are too young to know about this?

In 1990, Shmuel returned to Auschswitz for the first time and performed with his orchestra the song "My town Belz", the same tune he and the Auschwitz orchestra had to play 50 years ago as prisoners were marched to the gas chambers.

There are thousands of songs Shmuel could have played; why choose that one?
How do you think Shmuel felt as he played that song 50 years later in the same place.

Shmuel died in 1993 aged 69 but today his story lives on as he wanted it to be told.

Every year on January 27th people across the world support Holocaust memorial day. January 27th is the date (in 1945) that Auschwitz was liberated. This is a day when people remember the 6 million Jews and other groups of people that lost their lives under Nazi persecution. 

The Holocaust memorial trust say, "Our world often feels fragile and vulnerable. Wherever it takes place, prejudice and the language of hatred must be challenged by us all."

"Prejudice and the language of hatred" what does that mean?
Why do you think it is important to challenge prejudice and hatred, why not ignore it?
Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British Value is this about?

Take a moment of reflection to remember all those who died in the holocaust and in times of prejudice today. What can we do at our school to make sure this does not happen again.

Do you want this assembly as a power point? 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, 16 January 2026

Barbie

 


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6w2xdww11o

What do you see in the picture? What do you think is interesting about this doll? What do you think the story might be about? 

Mattel are launching a new Barbie doll this week. It is a doll with a difference, looking at the doll and what she is holding/ wearing, can you guess what this doll's difference is?

This is an autistic Barbie. 
What is autism?

A Y6 child at a school in Birmingham who lives with autism explains what it is:
"Autism is a neuro diverse condition that affects how someone sees the world. Plenty of autistic people have what is known as a "sensory profile" which regards the 5 senses; some stimulate them and some overwhelm them. Autism can also be an intellectual disability that may make someone non-verbal. They can also stim, which is where they do an action repeatedly."

What does sensory mean?
If you live with autism, would you add anything else to that description?

Autism is a form of neuro-divergence that affects around one in one hundred children in the world today. There is not one way to be autistic and children who have autism have characteristics that vary according to the individual.

Are all autistic people the same?

The doll has design choices that reflect experiences to which autistic children might relate, including lose clothing to ensure less fabric to skin contact and different eye focus. The doll can move their wrists in a flapping motion and they also have ear defenders. The doll also comes with a pink fidgit spinner to reduce stress

What are ear defenders?
What is a fidget spinner?

Mattel asked Penelope, a 5 year old child with autism, to help the design and it was her idea to include ear defenders to reduce sensory overload. Mum says, "Penelope uses ear defenders so to see that on a doll really made her feel special. Until now there was just nothing out there to represent what autistic children experience.

Why does Mum want Penelope to see an autistic doll?

The aim is for children to "see themselves in Barbie and to encourage all children to play with toys that reflect the world around them." Campaigners have called the doll a "milestone in representation."

What does that mean, what is representation?

However, some people in the autistic community are unhappy with the doll. There has been a lot of debate online with one person said, "Autism is not how you look, it's how you are."

What does that mean? 
How would you respond to that criticism?

Another responded by saying, "I like it a lot. To me it doesn't imply that autism is how you look, I think it's just a Barbie that is equipped with the tools she needs. Just like a career Barbie is equipped with the tools they need."

Can you see both sides of this argument?
What do you think?
Why do you think Mattel chose to make the fidget spinner and headphones pink? Is that a problem?
Why is this story about No Outsiders?
Which British Value is this about?

Do you want this assembly as a power point? 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, 9 January 2026

Fish and Chips

 

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/reason-liverpool-chippy-staying-open-33113618?fbclid=IwZnRzaAPLCw9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEew7TC1La-ny19AICsAstGmuPo0S6kGXAFv-xsKRAXlLZDyxKOIaaxWSH5z9M_aem_B4UEyNgTeFpkSaAEbE_5eQ#wgtl72e688ewrak95jxqqengyo7c8ga2r

What do you see in the picture, where is this, what do you notice, what do you think the story is going to be about?

In the picture you can see Mubinul  Hoque who owns Portland Fish and Chips in Brunswick, Liverpool. This story is about something that Mubinul and his team did on Christmas day. 

What do you think they did?

Mubinul opened his fish and chip shop on Christmas day and served free food for anyone who wanted it. Mubinul particularly offered his fish and chips to older people, vulnerable members of the community or anyone who was alone on Christmas day.
People could have chunky fish fingers, fish and chip barms and fresh tea and coffee, all free. 

What is a fish and chip barm, does that have a different name where you live?
Why do you think Mubinul did this?
What is a vulnerable person?
Why particularly invite people who are alone?

Mubinul said, "We give back and we do a lot of charities. It's in our belief, in our religion. Christmas day was one of those things where we don't celebrate ourselves so we would have been just shut. So it was like, why don't we give back to the community?"

Mubinul says "It's in our religion" but he doesn't say which religion; why not? Which religions don't celebrate Christmas?
If Mubinul doesn't celebrate Christmas, why is he inviting people who do celebrate it to visit him?

This is the second year running Mubinul has opened on Christmas day and given away food. He says, "We just thought it would be amazing and the response we got last year, I couldn't actually believe it."

"It was more emotional because I was thinking it's such a special day. Everyone wishes they had good family and friends but you don't realise how many people are by themselves and they just need that little talk."

Why is Mubinul calling Christmas a special day when he doesn't celebrate it?
Why does Mubinul say people need a little talk?
Do you agree or disagree? Why?

What do you think is the impact of Mubinul's actions on the community?
Why is this about No Outsiders? 
Which British Value is this about?

 Do you want this assembly as a power point? 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, 1 January 2026

New Years Eve 2026

  

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2152331/sadiq-khan-new-year-eve-fireworks-eu

What do you see in the picture, where is is, what is happening, what is the story about?

On New Year's Eve many people across the world celebrated the start of 2026. Then photo shows the celebrations in London where there was a 15 minute firework display, the biggest in Europe. 

Why do people celebrate a new year?
One argument is that new years day is just another day, so why celebrate it?

Part of the London fireworks included a speech called, "This is what England means to me"
Thinking about the title, what do you think was said in the speech?

"When it's sunny, it's to hot. When it's cold, the weather's rubbish. England to me is a cup of tea. How many sugars? I'm sweet enough."

Why do you think the author of the poem chose those opening lines?
"sweet enough" - what's this about?

"England to me is Caribbean barbers with a sharpish trim. 
It's Christian neighbours saying Happy Hanukkah mate and Muslim mums saying Merry Christmas, love."

Why mention Caribbean barbers, why not English barbers?
Has the author got things mixed up here, should this say instead, "Jewish neighbours saying Happy Hanukkah, Muslim mums saying Happy Eid and Christian mums saying Merry Christmas"?
What is the author saying here about religions and nationalities in England today?

"And you think you're seeing flags now? Wait until the World Cup's on. And then you'll know about flags, my son."

Why do you think the author chose to mention flags?
To whom is the author addressing this line, is he talking to his child by saying, "my son", why use those words?

"Because this is what England means to me. It's about loving each other no mater what colour you are, where you're from or who your God is. Because this is England, this is the United Kingdom."

What is the author saying here?
Why do you think London chose to show so many different flags here, why not just show one flag?
Is there anything else you would add to this poem?

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said the London firework display was the greatest in the world; "From celebrating our wonderful year of women's sport and Europe beating the USA in the Ryder Cup to celebrating our diversity and looking ahead to a fantastic 2026, we've sent the message that London will always be a city of hope and a place for everyone."

Why do you think the Mayor chose to say London is a place for everyone?
What can we learn from the London NYE show this year?
Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British value is this about?

Do you want this assembly as a power point? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org
I usually send these out on a Sunday morning.
 

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




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Friday, 12 December 2025

Christmas family

 

                     
What do you see in in the photo? What is happening, where are they, what do you notice about the group? Who do you think these people are and why are they together?

In this photo we see Erin and her family. Erin says, "I'm English. I'm a mum. I'm white, British and proud of my heritage."

What does that all mean, why do you think she is saying that?

"I'm the mum to over 15 unaccompanied asylum seeking children."

What does that mean? How can she be a mum to 15 children? 
There are no children in the photo so where are they?

This photo is from last Christmas- "7 of my boys, all family, all loved"

How can they all be family?

Erin talks about how some of her boys had very difficult journeys to get to England as refugees. Many did not want to leave their homes but they had to leave to be safe. She talks describes how many of the boys faced hardship and struggles, but now they are safe and feel loved as part of her family.

What is a refugee/ asylum seeker?
Why is being a refugee hard?
What kind of struggles do you think some of her boys faced?
What do you think the boys needed most of all from Erin?

Erin says some people don't understand about refugees and think they are all the same. She says, "There are always bad apples in every community - but that doesn't give anyone the right to condemn a whole group of people."

What does Erin mean by that?

Erin says, "Still, my boys smile, still they call me mum, still we celebrate Christmas, birthdays, EID, GCSE results, and new jobs- together."

Christmas and Eid are from different religions so why are this family celebrating both?
How can you celebrate two religious festivals in the same family?
Can you celebrate a religious festival if you have a different faith? How does that work?

"As one of my lads once said, when someone asked how we can be a family: "It's ok - we all have different dads."

Erin says, "That's England too."

Why do you think someone asked how they could be a family?
What do you think of the response from one of the lads?
Why do you think Erin says, "That's England too."
What can we learn from Erin and her family?
Which British value is this about?

                                                                Happy Christmas from me!

Do you want this assembly as a power point? 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, 5 December 2025

rainbow crossing

 

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/rainbow-crosswalk-pulse-nightclub-florida-orlando_n_68a7e06ae4b0c791dbab53ef

What do you see in the picture? What do think is happening, where is it? What do you think the story is here?

In Orlando, Florida, USA, there has been a debate for the last few months about a crossing on a road.

Can you guess what the debate is?

Ten years ago there was a homophobic attack on LGBT+ people at a night club called Pulse. 49 people were killed in the attack and many more injured. Following the attack, the council decided to paint a crossing outside the club with rainbow colours. The crossing was already there with black and white colours. They painted it rainbow colours instead.

Why do you think people painted the crossing with rainbow colours?
What do the colours represent?
What are the arguments for and against doing that?

For the last ten years the crossing has remained in place. Until now.

Over summer, the council removed the rainbow colours. They arrived at night to do it. They made the crossing black and white again.

Why do you think the council did that?
Why do it at night time?
How do you think the local residents felt?

The Mayor of Orlando, Buddy Dyer said, "We are devastated to learn that overnight the state painted over the Pulse Memorial crosswalk."

If the council painted the crossing rainbow ten years ago, why change it now? What does that show about ideas changing?
How do ideas change? 
Looking at the photo, what do you think the residents did next?

The residents used chalk to colour in the crossing and make it rainbow again. The residents did this during the day time.

Why do you think the residents did this during the day time not at night?
What do you think the council did?

The council painted over the crossing again. The state governor Ron DeSantis said the state would not allow its "roads to be commandeered for political purposes."
The US transport secretary of state said, "Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks."

What does that mean?
Do you think colouring a crossing with rainbow colours is a political act?
Can you see both sides of this debate? What are the two sides of this discussion?

The Orlando mayor responded saying the crossing did adhere to safety standards and also helped enhance visibility for people going to visit the night club.

What do you think of this point?

Since the summer, four people have been arrested for "defacing the crosswalk" by painting rainbow colours on the road. People continue to paint or chalk colours every time the council remove the colours.

What is your opinion about this?
What do you think should happen? Can you find a solution?
What do we say at our school about being LGBT+ and having different families?
Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British Value is this about? 

Do you want this assembly as a power point? 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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