Themes Calendar 2017.

The following themes are based on events/celebrations from the calendar, UN observances (e.g. The UN international week for the promotion of cheese products) or significant dates from history. They will form the basis for assemblies for that week and can be used by class tutors as a basis for tutor time discussion or investigation etc. Themes may be subject to change in light of significant world events.

Month / Week beginning / Theme
January / 2nd
9th
16th
23rd
30th / New beginnings, fresh starts- UNICEF day for change(1st)
Visit by local charity workers to donate to school fund and generate discussion about charity and why we give.
Martin Luther King Jnr day, (Birthday 15th) – Theme of anti-discrimination and peaceful protest.
1788- The first convicts deported from England land at Sydney Cove in Australia, commemorated by Australia Day. (26th)- Theme of the rule of law and how modern law is less punitive.
(Related event)1606- Guy Fawkes and fellow surviving Gunpowder Plotters are hanged, drawn and quartered at Westminster. (31st)
Anniversary of the beheading of King Charles 1st (1649)
1st assassination attempt on a US president- Andrew Jackson (1935), assassination of Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi (1948).- Theme of how democratic countries are able to elect a new leader if they do not like the current one, and how democracy and elected representatives took the place of the Monarchy in Britain.
February / 6th
13th
20th
27th / Theme of achievements by women. – 7th is anniversary of Ellen Macarther setting a new worlds best time for sailing around the world solo (2005). 11 February- International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Ada Lovelace, Marie Curie, Maria Montessori, and EmmyNoether
11th February 1990- Nelson Mandela- released after 27 years in Prison for anti-apartheid protest.
Half term week.
Shrove Tuesday (28th)- Theme around where “pancake day comes from, Biblical origin, more recent traditions associated with the day.
March / 6th
13th
20th
27th / Zero discrimination day (1st)
British Science week (starts 11th) – theme of innovation, British contributions to science and discovery, the impact of scientific progress on our lives.
Comic Relief (24th)- Theme of helping others who need our help, looking at how British and Foreign projects have benefitted.
Scott of the Antarctic. 1912-Captain Robert Falcon Scott makes his last diary entry before dying on his way back from the South Pole. (29th)
April / 3rd
10th
17th
24th / 1stIpad released (2010)- Theme of technology and how quickly it has developed, What life was like before technology.
International Day of Human Space Flight (12th) anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s flight.
1970: Critical explosion cripples Apollo 13. Theme of working together to overcome difficulties and solve problems.
Shakespeare’s birthday and date of his death(23rd), and St George day (23rd)- Theme of the contribution of Shakespeare to our language, and on how language changes over time.
May / 1st
8th
15th
22nd
29th / 1707-The Act of Union takes effect (1st) and England and Scotland become Great Britain, with a new Union Flag. British values and the make-up of Britain over the ages.
VE Day and 8-9 May- Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War.
1796-English doctor Edward Jenner administers the first vaccination against smallpox, using pus from cowpox. (14th) Theme of the medical advances and saving lives using the story of Jenner.
(20th)- Charles Lindburg crosses the Atlantic (1927), AneliaEarheart first woman (1932)- Theme on the spirit of adventure and daring.
Half term.
June / 5th
12th
19th
26th / 1st -7th June- Volunteers week. Can we help someone else by giving them a little of our time?
12th June- World day against child labour.
1215-King John and his barons seal the Magna Carta - a statement of English liberties - at Runnymede, Surrey. Theme of law and order, Magna Carta as the basis for our laws and liberties and a change from divine right of kings.
1957-A British Medical Research Council report suggests a direct link between smoking and lung cancer. (27th) Theme of anti-smoking and health more generally.
July / 3rd
10th
17th
24th / 1954- Food rationing ended in Great Britain almost nine years after the end of World War II.
1940-The Battle of Britain begins with German air raids on British ports and shipping (10th). Theme of risking everything to protect your country, life during WW2.
18 July- Nelson Mandela International Day. Themes of forgiveness and peaceful protest, equality and justice.
September / 4th
11th
18th
25th / 1666- Great fire of London. Started on 2nd and burned until 6th Much of London needs rebuilding. Theme of starting again and making it even better.
International Day of Democracy (15th) - Looking at the electoral process in terms of world politics and comparing it to the election of school council members and our new Head Boy and Head Girl.
1633-Astronomer Galileo Galilei is tried before the Inquisition for teaching that the Earth orbits the Sun (20th). Theme of telling the truth even when you know it’s not the easiest thing to do.
1953- Hilary and Tensing climb Everest. (24th) Success against the odds, doing something because it is hard not because it is easy.
October / 2nd
9th
16th
23rd
30th / World smile day. Theme of spreading your mood, good or bad.
1903-Emmeline Pankhurst forms the Women's Social and Political Union to fight for women's rights in Britain. Theme of equality and challenging stereotypes. (10th)
16 October- World Food Day
1901- 63yr old female teacher Annie Edson Taylor became the first over Niagara falls in a barrel. Themes might include daring to do difficult things, or taking precautions to make difficult things doable.
1957-The Soviet Union launches the first living thing to go into orbit, a dog called Laika, in Sputnik II.(3rd) Themes could involve the ways that humans use animals to help them. Look at Dickin medal winners and maybe think about more controversial issues such as animal testing with older pupils.
November / 6th
10th
13th
20th
27th / Gunpowder plot discovered (5th) Theme of terrorism versus democracy as ways of making your political point.
(additional assembly to mark armistice day 11th)
Anti-bullying week – Theme TBC.
World television day (21st) – Thinking about how the television enables us to see what is happening across the world, and how it affects our lives and makes people famous.
1955-Civil rights activist Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat for a white passenger in Alabama. (1st Dec)
December / 4th
11th / 2 December- International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
1948-The United Nations General Assembly adopts the 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights' in Paris. (10th)