Every week, primary schools across the UK gather for assemblies and classroom discussions centered on significant news stories. From 20th to 26th May 2024, children and educators reflected on inspiring stories that encourage ambition, challenge assumptions, and foster self-belief. Spotlight Story: Queens Park Ladies U12s – Breaking Boundaries in Football The major headline this week celebrated the remarkable achievement of the Queens Park Ladies under-12s, an all-girls football team from Bournemouth. Competing in a league traditionally dominated by boys' teams, they finished their season undefeated with eighteen wins and four draws. This impressive result secured them the top spot in their league – a group comprising eleven teams of boys. As the only girls' team in the Bournemouth Youth Football League’s third division, their results earned them the nickname ‘The Invincibles’. The Journey to Success Their journey was not without its challenges. Manager Toby Green had to assertively advocate for his team’s right to play in the boys' league, convinced of their skill and determination. Despite initial resistance and skepticism from league officials and other teams, the Queens Park Ladies U12s proved their abilities week after week, training twice to maintain a standard worthy of champions. Overcoming Assumptions and Exceeding Expectations At the season’s start, the girls found themselves underestimated, even mocked by opponents. However, they quickly demonstrated their talent and teamwork, leading their peers to reassess their earlier assumptions. One player shared, “At first [the boys] underestimated us and they were sniggering and didn’t take us seriously—but then we showed them if they can do it, so can we.” Classroom Discussion: The Impact of Expectations This story spurred conversations about the nature of expectations and what it means to exceed them. In class, pupils shared examples of when they or others surpassed what was believed possible, drawing on stories such as: Ed, a teenager told to find a "real job" instead of pursuing music, who released his first song at 19. Aleena, who defied age-related assumptions to retrain and start a successful electrical business at 41. Keira, who impressed her manager by finishing a challenging task far quicker than anticipated. The Power of Self-Belief and Ambition Classes considered the role of ambition and self-belief in overcoming barriers. Educators prompted children to discuss their own goals—whether it’s playing football for their country, summiting a mountain, or writing a book—and to consider what steps are needed to achieve them. Emphasis was placed on having a growth mindset: viewing challenges as opportunities to learn rather than obstacles. Reflection: Challenging First Impressions One of the most important lessons from the Queens Park Ladies’ story is about the pitfalls of making assumptions based on appearance or first impressions. Children were encouraged to think critically about how they judge others, how it feels to be underestimated, and the value of getting to know people before forming conclusions. Discussion around the slogan “Be the best you” examined what it means to strive for personal excellence regardless of preconceived ideas. Key Vocabulary for the Week Assert: To declare something forcefully. Assumption: Accepting something as true without evidence. Invincible: Impossible to defeat. League: A group of teams competing against each other over time. Slogan: A memorable phrase representing a team or idea. Snigger: To laugh at someone in a sneaky or unkind way. Activities and Follow-Up Ideas Schools made the most of this week’s topics with interactive activities: Writing exercises on transforming negative self-talk into growth mindset statements, such as changing “I can’t do this” to “I can’t do this yet.” Sports sessions practicing football skills and reflecting on areas for improvement. Exploring local and national football league tables to understand points and game statistics. Reflective and Discussion Prompts Why do people sometimes judge others on first impressions? What does it mean to exceed an expectation? How can we support others in achieving their goals? Why is being ambitious important, and what challenges might we face on the way to our goals? Additional News Highlights The week’s assembly also touched on other inspirational stories: Street Librarian Success: Araba Maze, a street librarian in Baltimore, created mobile libraries to address book deserts in her community, ensuring all children have access to books. Blue Whale Comeback: Marine scientists documented the return of blue whales near Seychelles, a positive sign for conservation efforts. Penguin Fledging in Antarctica: Wildlife photographer Bertie Gregory witnessed baby penguins leaping from high ice shelves, showcasing resilience in the animal world. Hay Fever Returns: With pollen counts rising, schools discussed strategies to manage symptoms, fostering awareness of seasonal allergies. Moving Forward: The Importance of Fairness and Voice Throughout the week, pupils were reminded of the importance of fairness, democracy, and ensuring all voices are heard. The Queens Park Ladies’ story highlights that when given an equal opportunity, anyone can succeed, regardless of background or gender. 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
