Anti-sectarian Assembly Plans - Breaking Down the Wall

Breaking Down the Wall
By Bruce Adam, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Communication and Media, Falkirk College

We would like to thank Bruce Adam for permission to reproduce his play for this website.

Aim:
To open up opportunities for pupils to discuss the topic of sectarianism.

Required:
Note: This assembly requires preparation time in class to work on the drama. You could select some P6/7 pupils to work with you or in a secondary school drama pupils could work on this to perform to lower secondary assemblies.

Pink Floyd - 'We don't need no education' through the sound system or CD system that can be heard through the hall.

Black Eyed Peas - 'Where is the Love?'

4 giant placards with the words SEC, TAR, IAN and ISM written on each of them.

7 pupil actors for key parts: SEC, TAR, IAN, ISM, MARIE, GAIL, ANGEL

One ball

Suitable for:
P 6 - S1. Best done just before

The Assembly:

Pupils come in to a darkened hall.

Play the song 'We don't need no education' by Pink Floyd.

Four characters walk on. Lights go up on four characters dressed in black and white each carrying a card - the cards bear the words SEC, TAR, IAN and ISM.

Run the play.

At the end of the play, actors walk out to the song 'Where is Love?' by Black Eyed Peas.

Open up discussion with the audience about the key messages from the play:

• Sectarianism - holding narrow views about each other because of the denomination we belong to, e.g. Catholic or Protestant, is another form of Prejudice and discrimination in Scotland.
• But, it is not just between Catholics and Protestants, there is also prejudice and intolerance between different religions, e.g. Jews and Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs.
• When we challenge prejudice and discrimination we must challenge all forms of prejudice.

Time for reflection:
Consider what you need to do to develop your own courage to break down any walls n your life. (a short period of silence). Now reflect upon this as you move into your lessons.