The Collective Worship Resource
The Collective Worship Resource - Top Navigation



THE COLLECTIVE WORSHIP RESOURCE - TOPICAL ITEM - PRIMARY

'Second Serve - Second Chance' Wimbledon



AIM
To use the topical annual event of Wimbledon to provide opportunities for reflecting on the theme of making the most of a second chance.

PREPARATION
You will need:
  • For background information and the dates of this year's Wimbledon Championships go to www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/index.html.
  • Display materials - table, purple and green cloths, bowl of strawberries, tennis ball, tennis racquets.
  • A net or alternative device to separate two players.
  • Pupils or staff able to demonstrate / mime a serve and a member of staff to act as umpire.
  • Lion Children's Bible or similar, for the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19, p.355).
  • A simple paper banner (wallpaper) with the words 'Second Serve - Second Chance'.
  • Quiet music to end the act of Collective Worship.

INTRODUCTION
Begin the act of Collective Worship with a bare table and gradually place objects upon it asking children to guess the theme. Introduce the objects in this order:
  • Purple and green cloths / material
  • Bowl of strawberries
  • Tennis balls
  • Tennis racquets
Establish the theme of Wimbledon.

Ask pupils if anyone plays tennis regularly. Share names of some well-known tennis players past and present.

DEVELOPMENT
Invite two members of staff or two pupils to come and stand either side of the 'net' and introduce them by name as players. Introduce the umpire. When the players are in position, the Umpire should call out one of the names and say 'First Serve!'. Following a mimed serve, the Umpire should call out 'Fault!'.

Ask the pupils if they know what happens next - establish that the server will get a second chance. Return to the mimed game. The umpire should call 'Second Serve!'. The player should mime a second serve and the returning player should mime a return. The umpire then calls '15 - Love'. Establish that as a result of the second serve the server has won the point.

Explore with the children the idea that in tennis the server always has a second chance - and that it is important for the player to make the most of this in order to win the point. Explain to the children that they are going to hear a story from the Bible about a man who got a second chance.

Invite a pupil or member of staff to read the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19.

REFLECTION
Ask the children to sit quietly and to think about what they have seen and heard. Remind them that the server in tennis always gets a second chance. However, not all tennis players make the most of that chance - some put the second serve into the net.

In the Zacchaeus story, Zacchaeus was given a second chance by Jesus. He took it and from that day on his life changed for the better.

In the quietness, ask children to remember a time when they have been given a second chance. Did they make the most of it or did they waste the opportunity?

After a few moments of stillness the leader should invite children to make a silent promise to themselves always to make the most of every second chance that comes their way. Suggest that if they get an opportunity to watch the Wimbledon Championships they should try to remember the message of the second serve - and the story of Zacchaeus who made the most of his second chance.

Invite two pupils to come to the front and unroll a simple banner - with the words 'Second Serve - Second Chance'. Ask children to think about the words as they leave the act of Collective Worship. Play some quiet music as children leave.

LINKS WITH OTHER AREAS OF THE CURRICULUM

RE
The story of Peter the disciple who denied Jesus but was given a second chance - he took it and the Christian Church was born.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Children with particular sporting skills in tennis could be invited to demonstrate these to others.

ART
Make some posters to advertise the Wimbledon Championships.




Home Page Archive Prayers Special Themes - topical resources 'in the news' Worship for schools - resources for larger groups Reflections - resources for small groups Multimedia - videos and presentations