Coniston Primary School

On Thursday I went to do our first assembly of the new school year at Coniston Primary School.  I started by asking if anyone had done anything or been away anywhere new, then asked who had new uniform, new shoes, if they were in a new classroom with a new teacher finally asked about a new headteacher various children put up their hands to the questions and everyone did for the last question.  I pointed out that there was a key word I kept on mentioning what was it? New! came the response.  I then went on to tell the story of Zacchaeus and how he was a liar, a thief and a cheat and worked for the Romans collecting tax's.  I did explain why he worked for the Romans and what paying tax's is for.  When a crowd gathered to see Jesus as he walked through their town Zacchaeus wanted to see him but because of what he was and what he had done in over charging on the tax plus he was a very short man the crowd pushed him away.  So running on a head he climbed a tree, thinking no-one will see me - but they did - Jesus stopped at the tree and asked him to come down as he wanted to visit him and eat some food.  The gathered crowd thought this was not fair after all Zacchaeus was a liar, a thief and a cheat who worked for the Romans collecting tax's.  With Jesus now in Zacchaeus's house the crowd wanted to know what was going on they didn't need to wait long as Jesus and Zacchaeus came out and spoke to the crowd, Zacchaeus told them he would give away half of his wealth and pay back 4 times the amount he had stolen off people.  Jesus said that Zacchaeus had made a new start.  Following the story I encouraged the children to think about making a new start whenever they make a mistake, unset someone, do something wrong.  To finish with we sang So May Ways to Praise the Lord then said a prayer.