YEAR GROUP ASSEMBLY

In commemoration of the third anniversary, Ivanna V (13W) gave a heartfelt, moving and powerful speech on the war in Ukraine to students in years 10, 11, 12 and 13. Here are Ivanna’s slides and her speech in full.

“4 days ago, February 24th, marked three years since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine; the word “full-scale” is used here since the Russian aggression originally started in 2014 with the annexation of Ukrainian eastern territories and the Crimean Peninsula. The morning of Thursday 24th of February, which should have been filled with the normality and predictability of daily routine, began with air raid sirens and my parents’ words “The war has started”. On TV, Putin was announcing the special military operation – the war that has spread from roughly 7% to 27% of Ukrainian territory (equivalent to joint areas of England and Wales), taking the lives of thousands of people. The other ones were forced to flee their homes and start from scratch.

With airstrikes raining all over Kyiv – my hometown – and military groups landing there, my family and I drove to my grandparents’ village in central Ukraine observing military transport, both on the ground and air. With the fear of the rapid advancement of Russian soldiers, it was decided to move to Germany with my mum, sister, and younger brother. While being safe and far away from my home, I was closely following the news of towns several kilometres away from my flat, being captured one by one. In Bucha, the town 23 kilometres away from my home, the human cost and physical devastation of war was becoming apparent as Russia's war crimes drew the attention of numerous world leaders, including the then UK Prime minister, Boris Johnson who pledged their support for the people of Ukraine. My friend was trapped in occupied Bucha for weeks without connection with the outside world. Fortunately, she and her family survived, but this experience has remained a topic she never brings up. Her’s is a story repeated over and over for many caught up in the same way.

It quickly became clear that along with the territories and people, Ukrainian culture and heritage were being infringed upon. The compelling examples are the bombardments and demolitions of museums with unique cultural significance and irreplaceable architectural sites, including those that are UNESCO-listed.

In the first weeks of the war, my brother voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He has been serving in the army for almost 3 years now. He is frequently sent to the hottest spots on the frontline, and he has not been able to see his 2-year-old daughter for months. The pictures on the slide were taken by my brother.

Meanwhile, my father has undertaken numerous volunteering initiatives. He has organised fundraisers, evacuated civilians from dangerous Eastern zones, and coordinated and delivered volunteer supplies to help civilians and military personnel in volatile frontline regions. He formally joined the armed forces in the summer of 2023, which hasn’t stopped his ongoing volunteer activity. My father has shared these pictures.

Despite President Putin’s reported plan of capturing Ukraine in a couple of weeks or even days, it is still standing. What was not foreseen is the unparalleled resilience of the Ukrainian people. In one of the most devastating moments of Ukrainian history, people united becoming a single force working toward a shared goal of resisting the invaders for the bright future of a free and independent Ukraine. Volunteering resonated not only with adults but also with children. One of my most memorable examples was a 5-year-old boy, playing chess with by passers and sending players' donations to the army. Having won a local chess tournament before, he only lost a couple of games.

After about 5 months of living in Germany, we came back to Ukraine. When air attacks struck Kyiv, my school lessons continued in the bomb shelter. Occasionally, the school closed due to frequent attacks. In our Arts and Crafts lessons, we made trench candles to warm soldiers during the harsh winter and sorted and prepared dry food packages for people in more dangerous regions close to the frontline. I began weaving camouflage nets for the army and taking my friends along the way. *The examples of my volunteering in school and beyond are shown on the screen*. Others contributed to the effort in different ways, however small, indeed volunteering transcended physical and economic boundaries. Examples include promoting Ukrainian culture, raising funds by selling artifacts globally online, or raising awareness about the devastating impact of war crimes.

3 years on and my family today, along with many other Ukrainians, continue to live with the uncertainty and sorrow brought by the war which has lasted for 11 years and gained momentum with the full-scale invasion of 24th February 2022. Ukraine’s fight is not just about defending its territories and people but protecting and safeguarding the existence of her nation and state. It is a battle for the values that unite all democratic nations – a fight against oppression, for justice, and for the right of every nation to exist freely. I would like to commemorate the victims of this aggression by encouraging you to uphold the values they stood for – freedom, independence, human dignity, and a refusal to stand by in indifference. Let us now take a minute of silence to honour those who have sacrificed their lives, those who continue to fight, and those who have suffered unimaginable loss as a result of the Russian invasion.”

Following Ivanna’s speech, Reverend Kate said a prayer for world peace from The Queenswood Chapel Book:

Almighty God,
From whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:
Kindle, we pray,
In the hearts of all people the true love of peace,
And guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
Those who take counsel for the nations of the earth;
That in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward,
Till the earth is filled
With the knowledge of your love.
Amen.

ASSEMBLY, Southport Series – the impact of social media

Continuing our Southport Series, Miss Neale and Miss Garrood spoke of the impact which media can have on crime. Here is their speech in full:

Miss Neale
“While Miss McGreavy spoke last week on the Southport tragedy and her local perspective, we wanted to share with you something that we have both studied in the past, which is the impact media can have on crime. This is particularly prevalent in the case of the Southport tragedy, as the media and the press had such a huge part to play in the aftermath of the attack and the riots that broke out not just in Southport, but country-wide.

Miss Garrood
We want to share our perspective on how social media fuelled mis-information and rumours, and how this led to racism, violence and riots at a time where the country was already mourning the deaths linked to the attack. Social media played a central role in the events that unfolded. It was used to share information – some of it true, much of it false. What we saw was a dangerous example of how platforms, if not used responsibly, can contribute to division and harm.

Miss Neale
Axel Rudakabana, the 17-year-old boy that was responsible for the brutal attack, was British. He was a Christian who had lived and gone to school in the UK for the entirety of his life. However, according to people on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok shortly after the tragedy, he was a Muslim migrant new to the UK, named ‘Ali Al-Shakati’. This was later debunked by the police, but it was too late, rumours and racist remarks had already reached millions of views and shares. It was recorded to be the most dangerous time to be Muslim in the UK as hate crimes and abuse reached record level, all as a result of the rumours spread.

Miss Garrood
What started as a Twitter thread by one man had canon-balled, having a hugely detrimental impact. Mourning the young girls who had lost their lives had turned into speculation and racist riots – the focus had changed. It should have been on crime and violence against women and girls. Innocent lives were lost… And yet people online were using the event to push their own racist agendas. In fact, these lies were used as an excuse to start the violent riots in Southport in response to a peaceful protest carried out by a mosque, which was advertised with a floral poster and a wholesome image of people holding hands.

Miss Neale
As you can see on the screen, verified accounts on Twitter were reposting these rumours and misinformation about the attacker, even verified UK news accounts. At the time, I couldn’t help thinking how easy it would be to believe the things I was reading, especially as people I knew and followed online were reposting similar things. I think we all have a tendency to believe the things we see online, particularly posted by reputable people or accounts. It really did act as a reminder for me to think more deeply into what I see, and self-analyse information before sharing anything. Its important to remember that algorithms work to show you more and more of the content you’re consuming, which could mean potentially reinforcing harmful opinions.

Miss Garrood
I’m sure that the day Tyler Kay and Jordan Parlour posted a tweet voicing their thoughts about the attacker, they didn’t even think about the future consequences that their racist remarks could have. But unfortunately for them and nearly 30 others charged with an online hate crime, what was perhaps a harmless comment on social media for them, would mean that they are forever tarnished with a criminal record. This is a prime example of the impact your actions can have; however small they may seem at the time.”

In response, Reverend Kate prayed:

Loving God,
In a world filled with noise and confusion, help us to use our voices not to spread fear, but to bring understanding and healing.

May we be mindful of the power and impact our words hold – both online and in person.

Teach us to pause, to think and to question before we share content. When we see falsehoods, give us the courage to correct them. When we witness hate, fill our hearts with the grace to respond with kindness.

May we be lights in the darkness, choosing compassion and wisdom over impulse.

Amen.

ACT OF WORSHIP

For our act of worship, Eva B (9H) and Mr Sheldon read from the Gospel of John, chapter 8 (verses 1-11). Reverend Kate opened her sermon by saying that relationships are at the heart of our existence and that whether good, bad or indifferent, relationships begin at birth in whatever way we define family and continue as we are educated and make our way in the world.

The characters in our Gospel story are in relationship: the scribes and the Pharisees are in relationship with Jesus who they want to trick and they are also in relationship with the woman who they want to use in their deceit. The woman is in relationship with Jesus who wants to teach her a new way of living and she is also in relationship with the scribes and the Pharisees who want to stone her and of whom she is no doubt terrified. However, Reverend Kate told us that one person, who is key to all these relationships, is missing: while the woman caught in adultery is unnamed and judged, the man, with whom she was in relationship, is unnamed and unaccountable; indeed, he is not even mentioned in the story. Instead, it is the woman who takes the blame for what happened between them, even though she may well have been a victim. Reverend Kate said that the telling of this story is of its time; however, it illustrates the way in which power, gender and justice are often unequally applied in relationships – even today.

Reverend Kate said that this story also illustrates the judgemental, painful and isolating nature of some relationships, not just for a woman of the first century, but for a young woman of the twenty-first century. However, in stark contrast, Reverend Kate said this story also illustrates that there is a better way of living in relationship with others: instead of criticism, judgement and condemnation, Jesus models a relationship with the woman which is educational, empowering and life-giving.

So, as we mark Ash Wednesday this week and are reminded of our mortality and dependence on God, Reverend Kate said that she would like to encourage all Christians to think about their relationship with Jesus; do we put this relationship first or do we need to make it more of a priority, perhaps in prayer, scripture or reflection? Reverend Kate said that she would also like to encourage everyone to think about our key relationships and to question whether these are built on fairness, equality and respect; do these relationships lift us up and encourage us to be the best version of ourself or are some of them unhealthy and need to change?

In our Gospel story Jesus offers a new way of being in relationship so Reverend Kate said that she would like us, in the weeks of Lent to come, to prioritise our relationship with the one who knows us by name and who provides us with the security to confidently shape the way we relate to ourself and to others.

Reverend Kate prayed:

Loving God,
We give thanks that you want to be in relationship with us and that you equip us to have good relationships with others.

Help us to build relationships that are rooted in fairness and respect. Where there is hurt, bring healing; where there is judgement, teach us grace; where there is fear, replace it with your peace.

May we be people who lift others up, listen with kindness and reflect your love. Amen.