More than 1,000 people, including celebrities, politicians, sports stars and members of the public, have been celebrated in the New Year’s Honours List.
The list recognises people who have done outstanding work in their communities or in their professions. They are chosen by the UK Government each year.
After the announcement was made, the Government was forced to apologise because its online list of those receiving honours revealed their full home and work addresses.
The list included celebrities and some people who work in the military and the Ministry of Defence (a Government department that looks after the UK’s defence and security), whose addresses should have been kept secret.
This PDF resource includes this article, as well as accompanying activity ideas:
- While most people probably agree that it is important to recognise public service and exceptional achievement, debate whether it’s time to change the sorts of honours we give? For a start, we don’t really have an empire anymore, and many bad actions were carried out in its name. What do you think?
- Write a pretend letter to the Government, using persuasive language, nominating someone who you think deserves a special award
- Write a set of instructions for becoming a knight in the UK. You can make them as serious or humorous as you like. Include the steps you need to take in order to deserve such an honour, as well as outlining what you have to do at the ceremony.
- The UK is not the only place to offer knighthoods (or something similar). Give an example of another country that awards such honours and briefly describe the ceremony.
To find out more about The Week Junior and to download its free resources, please go to schools.theweekjunior.co.uk.
Find the whole range of free Topical Tuesday resources here.