This week’s primary school assembly and classroom discussion focus on current events, emotions, and the importance of apologies and setting good examples, all tied to real-world news and recent stories. In the News: Boris Johnson’s Apology The major story this week revolves around Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He recently admitted that he attended a socially distanced social gathering in the garden of Downing Street during the first lockdown in May 2020. At that time, strict rules allowed people to meet only one other person outside their household to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This revelation led to public and political outcry, with many people—including his colleagues in government—calling for him to resign. Mr Johnson apologised in Parliament to both fellow MPs and the public, stating he was present for about 25 minutes to thank staff for their efforts during the pandemic. However, many were upset that the person making the rules was found to have broken them. Understanding Apologies and Reactions To help children relate to the story, students are invited to consider how they would feel in a similar scenario. One example shared was a letter from Isobel, a seven-year-old who missed two birthday parties because of lockdown. She wrote to the Prime Minister asking for an apology and highlighted the importance of setting a good example and following the rules. Her mother noted that Isobel was upset that those in charge had not followed their own guidelines. The assembly encourages reflection on whether apologies are enough, and if people in positions of responsibility should be forgiven easily. It raises questions such as: Should an apology always lead to forgiveness? Is it enough just to say sorry, or do actions matter more? When Do We Say Sorry? The resource provides everyday examples that students can relate to: Melissa accidentally scored an own goal in football and felt very sad about it, but her teammates reassured her that mistakes happen and she didn’t need to apologise. Riva hid the television remote to control what was watched, an action that may need an apology. Fern and David fought over toys and were told to say sorry, although at the time they didn’t feel like it. Umar missed a meeting at the park with Tilly, leaving her waiting. Mum was late picking Emily up due to traffic, showing that sometimes apologies are needed for circumstances outside our control. Through these examples, students are asked to consider if everyone should say sorry in these situations and how it feels to be the person apologising, or the person on the receiving end of an apology. Learning from Feelings: The Story of Leila and Her Grandad Leila’s story is used to discuss how we react to strong emotions like anger and frustration: Leila had a bad day at school and felt angry and frustrated. Her Grandad greeted her warmly, but she did not respond. Leila’s anger culminated in her throwing a plastic bottle into the river in frustration. Afterwards, she felt deep regret and wanted to show she was sorry for her actions and her unkindness to her Grandad. The next day, Leila greeted her Grandad with a smile and offered to help pick up litter on their walk. Weeks later, when feeling frustrated again, Leila was able to communicate her emotions and chose not to act out in anger. This story demonstrates that apologies are not just words, but actions and learning from our mistakes. Leila did not simply say sorry; her changed behaviour showed her remorse and growth. The Importance of Apologising Apologies are more than polite gestures—they show respect and empathy for others’ feelings when we make mistakes. It’s important for children to understand that words and actions can affect others deeply. Apologising, and showing we’ve learned from what happened, is a key part of positive relationships and personal growth. Classroom Reflections and Discussions Children are encouraged to consider: The meaning of a true apology and whether forgiveness should follow. The difference between saying sorry and showing you are sorry. Times when they found it difficult to apologise, or when someone apologised to them. Other ways to show you are sorry—listening, kindness, or creative gestures—rather than only using words. If it is okay to be asked to say sorry before they are ready, or if sometimes apologies feel forced. Helpful vocabulary for discussion includes: apology, empathy, admission, colleagues, resign, and briefly. Recent Classroom News and Events Alongside the main story, other recent news and positive community changes are shared to encourage curiosity and discussion: The Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award 2021 went to Cristiano Vendramin for a serene photograph of Santa Croce Lake, highlighting the value of nature in our lives. The Wizarding World Wands tour celebrates the “Fantastic Beasts” film with illuminated wand statues around UK cities, generating excitement among fans. Samsung’s “Galaxy for the Planet” initiative is tackling environmental impact by using recycled materials, such as fishing nets, for phone components. The importance of learning the Highway Code is discussed, with opinions from children about road safety and responsibility. Reflective Activities for KS1 and KS2 KS1 (Infant) Activities: Discuss what can be done when someone feels sad—listening, playing, or making a drawing to cheer them up. Explore the word “sorry” and times when an apology is needed. KS2 (Junior) Activities: Reflect on what makes a good apology. Create a poem or piece of writing titled “An Apology is…” considering the steps involved in making a sincere apology and learning from mistakes. Discuss whether showing you are sorry is more important than saying it, and share personal experiences about apologising. Use world maps and sign language to learn how to say sorry in different languages and forms. Things to Talk About at Home Can you remember the last time you said sorry? Were you forgiven? Why do some people find it difficult to apologise? Should you always accept an apology? Why or why not? Reflection: We all make mistakes. Feeling sorry can be expressed in many ways—by making amends, learning, or simply by being kind. An apology shows respect for others and helps us grow, both inside school and beyond. 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
