Mrs White’s Words: Being Respectful

This week, I enjoyed leading this week’s whole-school assembly on the theme of respect – a really important value that we recognise within our school community. From the moment the children walked into the hall, it was clear this assembly was going to have a lively and uplifting start. We played Aretha Franklin’s iconic song, Respect, as they came in, and it didn’t take long for the upbeat rhythm to spark smiles, bobbing heads, and even a few energetic dance moves. It was the perfect way to shake off any Monday morning sluggishness and set the tone for a positive and engaging session.

We focused on one of our golden behaviour rules: to be respectful. Together, we explored the meaning of the word respect and reflected on how being respected makes us feel. A short video from Sesame Street was shared with the children and in the words of the characters, being respected means “you feel cared for and important.” This simple yet profound idea resonated with the children, sparking a rich discussion about the power of respect.

We discussed practical ways we can show respect at school, and the children enthusiastically shared their ideas. They suggested holding the door for others, using manners, smiling, being kind and thoughtful, recognising and celebrating difference and individuality and showing someone you’re listening by focusing on them. These thoughtful contributions reflected the children’s understanding of how respect can strengthen our relationships and build a positive, caring environment.

To take things further, I set the children a challenge: to notice when and if people are being respectful this week. I promised to revisit this in our Star of the Week assembly on Friday, where we’ll celebrate the respectful behaviours and actions of staff and children within our school community. I encouraged the children to pay attention to moments of respect – whether it’s a peer lending a helping hand, a teacher showing kindness, or someone simply using good manners.

This assembly reminded us that respect isn’t just a concept to talk about, it’s a practice that brings us closer together as a community. It was inspiring to see the children engaged, motivated, and ready to take on the challenge of building respect throughout the week.

Here’s to a school filled with care, kindness and mutual respect, one thoughtful action at a time!

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