TONY WALSH:Welcome to your new school.
Welcome to your future.
New beginnings here and new rules.
New classrooms, new computers, new timetables,
new faces here, new corridors, new signs.
But some things change, some stay the same.
And some truths last all time.
You'll take out what you put in, you'll reap just what you sow.
So face the test and do your best, work hard, play hard and grow,
and play a full and active part in school and its community.
Be pleased to say, "I seized the day, I used this opportunity."
Remember that you're different, there's no-one quite like you.
But make good friends, the ones who lend a hand to get you through.
Remember, keep your head up even if you fear you'll drown.
Achieving is believing mixed with never looking down.
And think about your future, and find a hope, a dream.
Put action in your action plan and build yourself a team
made of parents, made of teachers, made of family and friends,
from this position make a mission for a trip that never ends.
And so, always keep on learning, there's always more to know.
It may sound strange but you can always change,
it's never too late to grow.
So don’t let anybody try and sneer and hold you back,
your history is not your future,
so don't ever feel like that.
Because our town has a history of producing boys and girls
who, from humble roots, pull up their boots and go on to change the world.
And so people just like you and me can do very special things,
aim higher, be high-flyers, be bold, unfold your wings.
And so gain an education, learn skills, gain facts and knowledge,
and then take the inspiration through to jobs, careers and college.
And so make the most of these days, this school and these facilities.
Take off the brakes, be sure to make the best of your abilities.
Respect yourself and others, have confidence, it's essential.
If you keep a burning urge to learn you'll reach your full potential.
And so do things that you're proud of and let everybody see
you've passed the test, you've done your best,
to be the best that you can be.
Video summary
A performance of the poem, ‘New Beginnings’, by the poet Tony Walsh, on the set of the Writing and Performance Poetry Live Lesson.
Teacher Notes
This poem can be used to assist pupils in the transition between schools, most notably the transition between primary and secondary school.
Use this resource alongside the Writing and Performance Poetry Live Lesson, to encourage pupils to work on their performance techniques such as tempo, pitch and movement, as demonstrated by Tony Walsh.
Ask pupils to discuss which poetry techniques Tony uses within the performance of ‘New Beginnings’. What effect do these performance techniques have on the meaning of the poem?
Students can explore the poem for examples of changes.
Ask pupils to think of other situations where this poem would apply.
This clip will be relevant for teaching English at KS2 / Second Level in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Watch again: Writing and performance poetry - Live Lesson. video
Catch up with our Live Lesson to mark National Poetry Day, featuring poets Joseph Coelho and Tony Walsh.
Bitesize
Use these Bitesize resources to set homework, independent study tasks or to consolidate learning for your pupils.
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