Never Give Up!

In this week’s assembly Mr Culverwell spoke with the children about never giving up. Whether in big things or small, the more we practice, the better we get. If you find something hard, don’t give up just keep practicing, and you will improve. It’s never too late to start, never too late to learn something new. Determination is the key to success.

We can see this spirit clearly in the 56,000 people who ran the London Marathon this weekend. Whether running for fun, for personal achievement, or to raise money for charity, each of them had to train hard and overcome physical and mental challenges. When they “hit the wall” (the point when it feels almost impossible to continue) they had to dig deep and push through. Their perseverance reminds us that progress comes from never giving up.

This same unstoppable determination is seen in the life of Helen Keller. Born in 1880, Helen lost her sight and hearing at just two years old. Yet, despite unimaginable obstacles, she refused to give up. Through perseverance and hard work, she learned to communicate, graduated from Harvard University, and became a respected lecturer and advocate. Helen’s life shows us that no barrier is too great when we stay determined and keep moving forward.

We can also look to our history for powerful examples of collective determination. Next week marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, celebrating victory in Europe during World War II. In 1939, Britain declared war on Germany, and through years of hardship, fear, and sacrifice, the British people (together with their allies) never gave up. Their unity and determination led to the defeat of tyranny and the restoration of peace.

At the heart of all these examples is a belief in building each other up, not tearing each other down. As the late Pope wisely said, “Build bridges, not walls.” Through love, care, and determination, we can overcome any challenge – individually and together. So, remember whatever you face, never give up.