Assembly
We value the contribution that assemblies make to enriching pupils’ personal development. When pupils convene as a year group, it creates a greater sense of community. Coming together, once a week, to receive a themed assembly, allows pupils to explore their understanding and appreciation of the world (including spiritual, moral, cultural and social dimensions), aspects of their own personal development, safety and wellbeing, and the world of work. Much thought has been given to the themes and sequencing of our assembly programme. We highlight specific national or international awareness days as well as seek to build upon learning that takes place within the classroom. Sometimes, assemblies can be an excellent introductory platform for new concepts which pupils then gain greater levels of knowledge and understanding in, applying what they have learned in different contexts and subjects.
Please find information below about our assembly schedule for this term. If you would like to have a discussion about any topics, please feel free to make contact initially with your child’s form tutor who will then liaise with the relevant key stage Pastoral Leader or staff member delivering the assembly.
We encourage parents/carers to explore our assembly themes and unpick the focus Skills Builder skill as well as the spotlight character trait. Thank you in advance to all parents/carers for your support in the reinforcement of key messages shared.
Assembly and Form Time Overview
Spring Term 1
During this half term, pupils will have the opportunity to explore how to demonstrate integrity as well as develop a greater understanding of how to demonstrate their Aiming High skills, which is an essential component of self-motivation. These elements of personal development are particularly important. Being integral can be shown in many different guises in life. At Hexham Middle School, we acknowledge that integrity, as a character value.
Assemblies throughout this half term focus on key themes of personal development, with a spotlight on how to be an effective learner. With a new calendar year, we will review some safeguarding updates as well as explore the concept of integrity alongside Holocaust Memorial Day. With a launch of Zones of Regulation in some year groups, we look forward to seeing how particular year groups will start to develop mental models of how this could help support better co-and self-regulation strategies, supporting emotional behaviour responses to different contexts.
At the start of this term, we will ask pupils to be reflective on 2024 and consider their hopes and dreams for 2025.
During form time, pupils will have the opportunity to review their engagement and wider participation in school life. We will ask pupils to reflect on what clubs they have attended, events they have supported, trips they have went on, and activities they may have engaged with outside of school. We value that wider enrichment opportunities are an important part of a young person’s personal development. At Hexham Middle School, we value the ‘Great Experiences’ each pupil is fortunate to have.
This term’s ‘Job of the Week’ focus during form time centres of some of the ‘Green Sector’ careers. This is in preparation for National Careers Week at the start of Spring Term 2. We understand that sustainability, including climate change is at the forefront of political life. We also understand that young people are increasingly conscious of these issues. Putting a spotlight on some careers that help support a greater understanding of the environmental and sustainable development is one way to provide young people with useful labour market information.
Character Focus: Integrity
Skills Builder focus: Aiming High
This skill is about being able to plan effectively – both to achieve organisational goals, and also to set their own personal development targets. Initially, this is about knowing when something is too difficult, and having a sense of what doing well looks like for an individual.
Spring Term 2
During this half term, we consider the character trait of humility. Do we really know what the word means? During this time of year, in the Christian faith calendar, there is an opportunity to unpick what the story of Jesus and going into the ‘wilderness’ can reveal about the characteristic of humility. As a school, we are also about to engage with National Careers Week. This year, we will shine a spotlight on the contributions made by women in the workplace as well as growth in green technology and its impact on the North East economy. There are opportunities for debating during form time linked with assembly themes as well directed time to learn more about the universal skill of staying positive; as we have passed the half-way point in the academic year, and our year 6 pupils are approaching their SATs, we know that staying positive is an essential skill to develop.
Character virtue focus: Humility
Humility can be described as the ability to view yourself accurately as an individual with gifts and talents as well as having flaws. Some people may not always acknowledge humility as a relevant positive moral trait to possess, but some people argue that it is – in fact – a remarkable character strength.
Skills Builder focus: Staying Positive
Staying positive in life is the ability to use tactics and strategies to overcome setbacks and achieve goals. As a parent/carer, we actively encourage a partnership approach in supporting the personal development of their child. The Skills Builder Homezone is a great resource, including different activities and tasks, that can be attempted at a pace and time that suits each family.
