This week’s primary school assembly and classroom discussion centres around bravery and leadership in the context of current events, with a focus on the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. What’s Happening in the News? This week, global headlines highlight President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. Once an actor and comedian, Zelenskyy has risen to international prominence as a leader who has shown remarkable bravery during the Russian invasion of his country. Elected in 2019, Zelenskyy’s background includes playing a president on the television programme ‘Servants of the People’ before taking on the real-life role. Who is Volodymyr Zelenskyy? Born in 1978 in eastern Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is married with two children and holds a law degree from Kyiv National Economic University. He built a successful career in the entertainment industry before entering politics in 2018 and becoming President of Ukraine a year later. Zelenskyy’s leadership and refusal to leave Kyiv in the face of danger have made him an inspirational figure for many people. Bravery in Leadership In recent weeks, Zelenskyy has been widely praised for his courage and his commitment to his people. During moments of crisis, he has addressed both Ukrainians and Russians, appealing for peace. His acts have brought discussions of bravery, leadership, and resilience into the spotlight, especially important themes for young people to reflect upon. What Does Being Brave Mean? Being brave means facing things that might be difficult, dangerous, or frightening. People show bravery in different ways, depending on what challenges they face. Bravery can include standing up for what is right, trying something new, or remaining calm in a tricky situation. For example, telling a grown-up about unkind behavior on the playground or trying a new activity for the first time both require bravery. Can We Learn to Be Brave? Yes, bravery can be developed. Here are some steps that help build courage: Recognise and acknowledge what makes you feel scared instead of hiding from it. Talk to someone you trust for support and encouragement. Accept that being brave can feel uncomfortable, and it’s okay to be afraid sometimes. Set small goals and gradually build up to facing bigger fears. Think positively and remind yourself that you can do it. Learn from others who have demonstrated bravery. The concept of a ‘comfort zone’ is important here. Your comfort zone includes everything that feels familiar and safe, while stepping outside it means trying new or challenging things. This is where bravery grows. Different Forms of Bravery Bravery is unique to each individual. What feels brave to one person might not to another. For example, picking up a spider may be easy for some, but takes courage for others. Similarly, performing in front of an audience or going somewhere new are experiences that can test bravery in different ways. Classroom Reflection and Discussion Students are encouraged to think about what it means to be brave, share personal experiences of bravery, and discuss who they consider brave in their own lives—whether it’s someone they know, a public figure, or a fictional character. Some questions to consider include: Can you think of a time you were brave or saw someone else being brave? What qualities make a good leader or hero? Do you think anyone can be brave, or is it something people are born with? Activities for the Classroom KS1 Focus Think about a time when you have been brave. Draw a picture or write a sentence about what happened and how it made you feel. These stories can be displayed in the classroom to inspire others. KS2 Focus Write down your goals for the end of the school year and the future. Identify which ones might be difficult or frightening, and plan the steps you’ll take to be brave and achieve them. Reflect on how breaking big challenges into smaller steps can boost your confidence. Creative Option: Bravery Award Design your own bravery award – a sticker, certificate, medal, or ribbon. Think about what it will say and why it should be given. These can be handed out when someone shows bravery in the classroom. Bravery in Everyday Life Bravery isn’t always about big dramatic acts. Sometimes it’s shown in small daily actions—standing up for what’s right, overcoming worries, or helping others in need. Recognising the many forms bravery can take helps us appreciate and support each other. Useful Vocabulary Hero: Someone admired for brave actions or great achievements. Quality: A characteristic or feature of someone or something. Comedian: A person whose job is to make people laugh. Endure: To suffer something difficult or unpleasant. Invasion: When a country enters another by force. Crisis: A time of great difficulty or danger. Reflection Bravery comes in many forms, and everyone has the potential to be brave. Our differences mean that a new or difficult situation will challenge each of us differently, but we can respect and support each other in our acts of courage. Further Resources and Discussion Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
