Gymnasia Assembly
British Council Program
"Connecting Classrooms"
Cherkasy First City Gymnasia takes an active part in the British Council program "Connecting Classrooms". The other day we received the information about the BBC World Class from Alice Castle who had interviewed the teachers of English and pupils of this school on Annual News Day on March 15, 2012. This time the BBC has planned something really exciting. The idea is to get as many schools as possible to take part in a huge school assembly. The students will talk about what matters to them in the world today.
The gymnasia organized a twenty minute assembly on May 8, 2012. We talked about the topics the pupils of the ages from 12 through 15 were really interested in. They were asked the question "What matters to me?" Here are some students' replies which are sent to the BBC World Class. There is the program called World Have You Say which will be broadcasting from schools around the globe. Hopefully, this information will be also included.
Anastasia Zhykina, 9A
When I was a child, my parents taught me to be always polite, friendly, responsible, generous and some other qualities that have positively shaped my life. A very important tray that I have learnt from my parents is always give 100% efforts to everything that is important for success. I believe that education is the key to success and I am happy that my school can help me to obtain my goals. I understand to be successful I should work very hard and I do study
hard every day. All things consider I'd like to say that it's most important for children how their parents raise them.
Daria Havrikova, 8A
The most important thing to me is friends and family. Other things that I view as scary and problematic are drugs and alcohol. The Internet movies and literature are everywhere and very often they are giving us, children, the wrong messages. Anorexia, suicide, drugs, alcohol are sometimes being positively portrayed in the mass media. I want to say, "People, be vigilant! It's so harmful for young generation!"
Violet Golinko, 8A
Leading an active life is a way of providing myself with energy and fitness. It really matters to me. Remaining true to what I believe in is to find something I really care about and live a decent life. To be accountable for my time and the way I spend it, this will allow me to know and experience everything possible and positive. I believe that if you want to be happy, you must have freedom. Never live other people's lives. Try to live by what you say. I think that relations with other people are very important, only through them I can love and be loved.
Karyna Liashenko, 9A
There are many things that can be important for each person. They are happy family life, good education, success, true friends, good health and even sometimes money. Grown-ups often make some of them their great value and a goal in life. But they forget that nothing in the world happens on its own. If you want to reach something or succeed, you should do something. You should always work hard for your success or achievement. As many girls of my age I would like to meet a nice guy, maybe marry him soon, start a family, give birth to children and live a happy family life. I am not a princess so I won't meet a prince. I will have my own way in life, work hard for my dreams to come true and it matters much to me to be the human I can become.
Myroslava Savisko, 9A
Whatever country we come from, whatever color our skin is, we are all the people of the world. In my opinion, the most important thing in our life is a family. If you want to survive and not to be alone in this global world, have a good family. It will give you support, love, respect, help. You may be happy with your children. I am sure that the natural environment is continuing to deteriorate. More and more people are dying of diseases, more and more children are being
born with birth defects. We should not be indifferent and must protect the environment now if we want to live happily.
Valeria Sluchinska, 8A
Education is a big drive for me because it will help decide my fate. However, I still have some doubts about if education can really provide me with what I need to be successful. I am afraid that I won't find a good and well-paid job even if I get good education. I know that many young people with good education are unemployed and have no opportunities to find a job not only in Ukraine but even in some European countries. The declining world economy is one of
my biggest fears.
Ihor Sukhobrus, 9A
My personal opinion is that life is the thing that really matters to me. Life is the gift of God, and it is special for every person. I would like to ask you: Do you enjoy your life and are you considering every second of your life to be something special?! Many people nowadays are so busy and so plunged in their daily routine, that they don't even notice when they are becoming older and older, time of their life passes quickly and they aren't prepared to its end. What would you do if today was your last day? Would you enjoy every your breath? Would you forgive your enemies? Could you say goodbye to yesterday? Life is the thing that has the biggest value. We should understand that every second is special and only God knows when you are going to die, maybe tomorrow, maybe the next week or fifteen years later. So love your life.
Alina Sukhenko, 8A
There are many things in my life that I matter to me. But the most important thing to me is nature. It makes me feel happy. I can't imagine my life without the soft green grass, the bright blue sky, colourful magic flowers and sweet smells in the transparent air. These things give us unforgettable moments. Cherish them!
Aiia Gonchar, 8A
What matters to me is my family where you can stay real and don't have to lie, where you don't have to please somebody and can get sincere and true love. I can't imagine my life without my family.
Kate Tsupilo, 8A
What matters to me? I think it is a dance. I can't imagine myself without dancing. Every moment, swing, turn makes the world brighter for me. I have been dancing since I was 4 and it's the passion of my life. I especially enjoy ballroom dancing. It is very beautiful and elegant. Once the music starts to play I feel real excitement and happiness. A great desire overcomes me and shows that I am capable of so many things and can get so much pleasure.
Anastasiia Shvaiko, 8A
For me music is the whole world of inspiration and relaxation. The choice of the genre of the music I enjoy depends on the mood of the circumstances. For example, rock and roll is preferable for merry parties and classical music is worth listening to when you are in the mood for being alone. Its tune doesn't disturb or irritate me and it doesn't prevent me from thinking about different pleasant things. It is encouraging.
Ira Manzholenko, 8A
What matters to me is my family and my friends. In difficult times a mother can console you, a father will support you, a brother will inspire you and a sister will give strength. Friends can be just as important as a family. They both have shaped me into a positive person I am today.
Mariana Azarova, 8A
I think the most important thing is environment. I understand that we are living in the world of new technologies but why must environment suffer from it? I know I can't do much to help nature but I certainly can do a little. I don't throw litter in the streets, I feed homeless cats, I do not use plastic bags, I collect waste paper. I wholeheartedly want to be ecologically aware. I we all care about nature, we'll save it.
Valentyna Kravets, 8A
There is no doubt that the most important thing is life. It is given only once. The priorities in my life are family, friends, education and interests. I love my family. I have many good friends. I believe that through education I can get a well-paid job in the future. My interests are music and photography. And all this makes my life active and happy, full of surprises and pleasant things.
Sincerely,
Nadiya Ananieva,
coordinator of the British Council program "Connecting Classrooms",
Deputy Head teacher,
First City Gymnasia,
Cherkasy, Ukraine
Updated at 20.05.2012
