Apr 2009
Whole School Assembly Teaching and Developing our Strengths at School Teaching Children to Fish - A Chinese ProverbWe all came together yesterday. We shared breakfast and then we talked about what we are good at doing. Mrs Gregg told us a very funny story that happened to her and I know that she likes to have fun, and to be playful. One of Mrs Gregg’s strengths is making people smile. Ask your mum or your dad to describe in a word or two what vision they have for you, their child. Most will say something like the following…success, happiness, passing exams, independence, a loving family and friends.

The question becomes, “How do we, as teachers, help you to reach these goals.We will look at your strengths, to look at what you are good at. We can teach you things that will help you be the best at something, being goalie in the football team, having a fluent French accent, painting a beautiful picture in watercolours, being a top class mathematician. We give you the guidance, and you take on the challenge - that’s how it works.Hands up and tell me what you are good at in school. There is a Chinese proverb, which is a saying that makes us think deeply about something important.

Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.

This proverb shows us that if you are given something you may become dependent on that person who gave it to you.  If you learn how to do something, you grow in confidence and independence, so you can look after yourself.

So that’s what we are doing here, at Rookesbury Park School; we are teaching you how to fish. Pippa Harris-Burland                       Whole School Assembly back to list