In this National Year of Reading, the English Department have been delighted to return to the national Poetry by Heart competition this year – a further opportunity to support our pupils’ development of oracy, memory and self-confidence.
All of the Fourth Form had been learning their poems for their in-class heats, with each class winner going forward to the school final. The finalists were:
Christabel W, LIV
Matilda J, MIV
Heather L, MIV
Willough K, UIV
Florence M, UIV
Gigi P, UIV
These impressive finalists each recited two poems, one published pre-1914 and one published post-1914, with the added pressure of the cameras to record their performances.
With such talent and diligence, it was a very tight outcome: all finalists were judged on a range of criteria, such as modulation of voice, as well as how accurately they had committed their poems ‘to heart’. Moreover, the two competitors who scored most highly, and so will be entered into the regional round, demonstrated the most nuanced understanding of both of their poems, and had the most engaging eye-contact and body language.
They are Heather L (MIV) who left listeners ‘Spellbound‘ with Emily Brontë’s poem of the same name, and Christabel (LIV) who delighted us with her awesome performance of The Tyger by William Blake – congratulations!
We also welcomed optional entrants from the Fifth Form, with Jemima J (LV) bringing great humour to her recital of Wendy Cope’s lengthy First Date, exploring the differing perspectives of both romantic hopefuls. Claudia F (LV) brought a range of vocal textures to her impassioned recital of Vernon Scannell’s Nettles. Both girls also go forward to the regional round.
Finally, congratulations to Mrs Durant for her powerful recital of PB Shelley’s Ozymandias, which will be entered into the staff category of the competition.
For further poetry inspiration, do peruse the Poetry by Heart website: https://poetrybyheart.org.uk/
Miss Julie Grant
Teacher of English
