Beginnings and Fresh Starts

Living on planet Earth is all about new beginnings. In the 1950s there was a song released called Turn Turn Turn. [The lyrics come from a bible verse from the Book of Ecclesiastes] The song sung by the Byrds a British pop band, and it became a massive hit around the world in 1965. The song and the lyrics is about there being a season for everything, and that whilst the seasons repeat,  there is a time for everything, including growth, and for things passing on. It is a good thing to reflect upon at a time when we are starting another school year, the beginning of another cycle. 

There is a YouTube video of the song and lyrics here (3:56): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKP4cfU28vM 

The fact that things change is a good thing. It is part of the rhythm of life and part of being human. Human beings don't just live on the earth, but are part of the earth. Part of the range of living things that belong to the planet, and as such, are subject to the seasons and to the routines of life. 

Even though there are cycles and rhythms, there is new life and regeneration and for human beings, reinvention. When pupils come back to school there are new teachers, new pupils, new paintwork in school, and everyone is a year older. Things might be done a little differently this year in school than last, but pupils (and teachers) will be a little different too; all of them will be a little older and the way people relate to one another changes a little each year. More is expected of pupils and more respect and responsibility is given to them as one moves up a year in school. 

The Summer holiday is a long time that allows all members of the school community to take a deep breath and to come back with renewed energy. It is a moment perhaps, to not come back the same, but to have considered what went well and what went less well the year before, and to try to do things better this time round. 

Nature is like this too. Environments change and adapt. Sometimes plants die off and there are opportunities for others. Unfortunately, with climate change some animals and birds will have to choose other places to live if they are to survive. We are not yet in this situation, but our circumstances change and people too have to make careful decisions about what they might need to do in the new year, for that year, and for the future. 

Now is a good time, if this is the first week back at school, to think about what went well last year and what could go better, to look at those around you who you admire and to try to build some of their best attributes into yourself. Look for inspiration, learn and make progress. That is how humans grow and develop, by watching and learning from others. 

Sir David Attenborough has produced another new series called a Perfect Planet. It is inspiring to think that human kind is part of an amazing place full of so many chance occurrences, and every year there is an opportunity to make it better. 

The trailer for this series can be found here (1:38): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxibm1ODEpI 

If there is ever any reason to want to do better, it is to contribute to the wonderful place we call home. The world is bigger than each human being, but together the planet is made up of millions of organisms playing their part, and human beings, blessed with more agency than the others have something of a responsibility to look after the rest of the planet and to make the most of it. This is a moment for reconsideration, review and renewal, not just for pupils but for me, and every member of the teaching staff. As your parents send you off for another year, and see you get a bit older, it is also an important time for them too. 

Today there is a question to leave you with. What improvement would give you the greatest sense of achievement for this year? Can you make it happen? 

Dr Andrew Lee is Head of Geography at Wetherby School in London. He has been an educationalist for thirty years. He has taught at Westminster School and has been Head of Juniors at St Paul's School, London. He maintains geographigo.com as a resource for geographical education resources, and for this gazette of assemblies which are free to use for those having to address pupils on a regular basis. Please return for regularly updated assembly or talk ideas.