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) 

Andrew Moffat delivers in-school No Outsiders training- watch a short video here 

Register to be a No Outsiders school  (get access to members page with additional resources)

Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging

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) 

Andrew Moffat delivers in-school No Outsiders training- watch a short video here 

Register to be a No Outsiders school  (get access to members page with additional resources)

Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging

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) 

Andrew Moffat delivers in-school No Outsiders training- watch a short video here 

Register to be a No Outsiders school  (get access to members page with additional resources)

Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging

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) 

Andrew Moffat delivers in-school No Outsiders training- watch a short video here 

Register to be a No Outsiders school  (get access to members page with additional resources)

Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging

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) 

Andrew Moffat delivers in-school No Outsiders training- watch a short video here 

Register to be a No Outsiders school  (get access to members page with additional resources)

Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging

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) 

Andrew Moffat delivers in-school No Outsiders training- watch a short video here 

Register to be a No Outsiders school  (get access to members page with additional resources)

Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging

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) 

Andrew Moffat delivers in-school No Outsiders training- watch a short video here 

Register to be a No Outsiders school  (get access to members page with additional resources)

Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging