Eyewitness Assemblies

Gaynor Cobb

From : RE Today - Spring 2009

From Palm Sunday to Pentecost, Eyewitness Assemblies presents 15 short stories giving imaginative 'first-hand' accounts told from the perspective of a character in the original Bible story. For example, the story of Jesus in the Temple (Matthew 21: 12-17) is told from Caiaphas' point of view, and the arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26: 35-46) as from a Roman soldier.

These assemblies are ideal for KS2. Each unit comprises: story synopsis, Bible reference, discussion starters, follow-up, PSHE and Citizenship and National Framework for RE links, resources need for a visual demonstration, an introduction, the story itself, suggested prayers, songs, music and a poem for reflection or role-play ideas or news report. Quite a 'chocolate box', to help spark children's imagination and enable them to 'get under the skin' of each story. These are well written, imaginative and dramatic, and are likely to inspire teachers as well as pupils.

Whilst each assembly is written as a stand-alone unit - and could be used at other times of the Christian Year - they are also connected through chronology. A teacher could do much worse than to take one or more of these assemblies each week from Palm Sunday to Pentecost and explore the events with their pupils. They could also be adapted very successfully as class assemblies - with each class being responsible for a different story as together the whole school journeys through the weeks.

The helpful links would enable most of the ideas in each assembly to be developed during class RE.

I enjoyed reading this book and I can envisage the assemblies working well with the junior school pupils I know. I rcommend it to primary school teachers. One word of warning though: this is not an assembly book to pick up on a Monday morning at 9 o'clock. The units require careful reading, thought and preparation, without which the talents of the author would not be wholly recognised.

Reviewed by Juliet Lyal

From: London Diocesan Board of Schools - May 2008

• Great value, a book for the staff room, library or the Head’s office – you might even want two copies!


• 15 ready to use acts of worship stretching from Holy Week to Pentecost.


• Each unit starts with teachers’ notes, the Bible reference, discussion points and ideas for follow up work.


• The worship part of the units have details of resources needed (all very uncomplicated), how to introduce the story and then the story itself told as an eyewitness account or drama.


• There is suggested music, songs and a poem and reflection as well as a short prayer.

From The Association of Christian Teachers - 19 February 2008

In her book Eyewitness Assemblies, Gaynor Cobb 'recognises the power of first hand experience'. Events from Palm Sunday to Pentecost are written in a believable way, and in language that is easily accessible. The 'eyewitness' accounts seem to come to life as they each tell their story. You also get a sense of the emotions the eyewitnesses felt. I felt a great sense of satisfaction when I read this book as it helped me to understand what it must have been like for the key people in Jesus' life at that time.

The assemblies are ideal for busy teachers as they come with notes and ideas of how you can bring them alive for the children. There are very good ideas for follow up. Gaynor has also made suggestions for prayers, songs to sing in assemblies and music, which is always helpful. Other ideas are points for discussions and reflective poems. She has made curricular links to RE, PSHE and Citizenship which is definitely helpful to teachers.

I like the way it lends support to teachers through the notes and also the fact that there are questions to help you to focus and make you think, as well as reflect on what the eyewitnesses had said. The assembly gives suggestions for the introduction to the story, and follow up material.

This book would be a welcomed addition to any classroom as it could be used to support Religious Education; and it would be great for assemblies. This is an excellent tool for the hard-pressed teacher.

Reviewed by Angela Hedge, Class teacher and ICT Subject Leader, Charlton Manor Primary School, London

Review from The Methodist Recorder - Thursday 31 January 2008

A collection of 15 ready-to-use assemblies for Easter to Pentecost has been designed by Gaynor Cobb for use with Key Stage Two children. Eyewitness Assemblies (£7.99) comes with teachers' notes and framework links for RE, PSHE and Citizenship and tells the stories of Jesus, Andrew, Judas, Caiaphas, soldier Marcus, Peter, Pilate, Mary Magdalene, Cleopas, Thomas, Matthew, Philip and Paul as well as Good Friday. Each assembly outline contains suggestions for a visual demonstration, an introduction, an eyewitness account, follow-up questions, prayer, songs, music and a reflective poem and, in some cases, roleplay and enactment.

Click on the cover of the book to see further information or to purchase.

View a PDF extract of Eyewitness Assemblies, showing the Introduction and Chapter 1.