Speak up and Succeed
This week, it was the turn of Quennell House to lead Years 1-6 in an assembly on a theme of their choosing. They decided to use the national day of ‘Speak up and Succeed Day’ to underpin their message.
The children gave us five ways to ‘speak up’, and I think you might agree that the 5th way is surprising and interesting, but that is children for you.
- To share ideas
- To ask for help
- To stay safe
- To spread kindness
- To listen
In a world of sound bites, shock statements and polarisation, the children of Quennell House urged us to use our voice for good and that speaking up is flawed if we don’t listen to others. The children continually renew my faith and hope in humanity.
They then lead us in song, one of our most evocative songs – Power In Me. I have put some of the lyrics below so you get a feel for why it gets us supercharged.
When someone’s needing help and the world just walks on by,
I know I can do something about it.
I’ll stand up for their rights, my voice will find the words
and I will feel empowered from within.
I’ve got the power in me, you’ve got the power in you.
I’ve got the power, p p power, got the power in me.
Nobody’s gonna hold me back, nobody’s gonna silence my words,
nobody’s gonna close my mind, I’ve got the power in me!
Imagine those words being sung with feeling by a hall full of 5 to 10 year olds. If you ever need motivation on a rainy January day, this will do it.
The children of Quennell left us with a task to do, they have made postcards for us all to complete, giving examples of how we have used our voice this week to speak up and all the postcards will be displayed as a gallery of inspiration. So I will leave you with that same challenge: how have you used your voice for a greater good?
Have a lovely weekend,
Alice Goodfellow
