Ode to Assembly

The pupils file in, class by class, to fill up the space in the hall.
When teachers and students are all in their place, you can end up feeling quite small.

The year-head begins with announcements of things and then says: ‘Today we’ve a guest’,
The clock-watching starts, it’s over to you, ten minutes to give it your best.

You look at their faces; there’s hair gel a-plenty, and girls wearing make-up so thick;
Some of them follow, many look sleepy, and some want this over real quick.

With so much to say, yet so little time, you hope that your message is clear.
Their world is so tough and image obsessed, a time marked by peer pressure fear.

You come to a close, the time is now up, your work in this hall is done.
Now safe in your seat, you survey the crowd, and hand it all back to the Son.

What seeds have been planted, what truth has been grasped? You battle with faith and doubt,
For now, you pack up and thank all the staff, remembering to smile and sign out.

TAGS: secondary, assembly