12 June 2012 Last updated at 11:55

Determination Assembly part 1 - Iraqi rowers

• Primary
• Secondary

This is the first assembly focusing on the Iraqi rowers and determination. The second assembly is called 'Last chance rower', and will focus on Haider Rashid's final chance to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics.

BBC World Class assembly focusing on the Paralympic value of determination for key stage two

Teacher script to introduce film

Have any of you been on a boat on a river? Did you see any people rowing or perhaps you have been in a rowing boat yourself?

We are going to watch a video presented by Matthew Pinsent - an Olympic athlete who won four gold medals in rowing for Great Britain.

In the video Matthew goes to Iraq to meet rowers Hamza and Haider who went to the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and rowed for Iraq.

Ask the assembly who knows where Iraq is and what they know about it.

For more information on Iraq

Click on the link below to BBC News

• Iraq country profile

Iraq is in the Middle East and for several years it was very violent.

Although the situation has improved it can be a dangerous place to live.

But despite the problems, Iraqi rowers Haider and Hamza stuck to their training when it would have been easier to give up.

Show film and use discussion prompts afterwards. Email [e-mail] for a downloadable copy.

What have Hamza and Haider achieved?

What has been difficult for them? How have they coped?

What does determination mean?

In what ways do you think Hamza and Haider have shown determination?

Have you ever had to try really hard to do something you wanted to do?

What effect has their success had on their communities and country?

Haider Rashid says rowing has brought Iraq together as a country. They have also inspired young people to take up the sport.

Has anyone or anything ever made you feel you wanted to do something? What happened?

What effect does sport have on your school and town?

Primary Assembly question

Hamza and Haider's preparation for London 2012 has been far from ideal.

Do you think facing difficulties holds you back or makes you more determined to succeed?

Email your answer to [e-mail]