Pupils across the school showcased confidence, creativity and a flair for performance at the school’s annual Poetry Recital Competition, on Wednesday 25th March.
The event brought together a wide range of classic and contemporary poetry, with each participant performing both a chosen poem and a Shakespearean sonnet or speech. The evening’s judging panel featured English and Classical Civilisations Teacher Mrs Jones, American Program Director Mr Furst, and Science Teacher Mr Steele.
From The Crocodile by Roald Dahl and Santa Claws by Julia Donaldson to canonical pieces such as Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley and The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the programme featured an eclectic mix of works. Pupils also tackled challenging and playful texts including Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll and I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke.
Shakespearean performances again ranged widely across the playwright’s works, with pupils delivering pieces such as All the World’s a Stage, Sonnet 60 and Sonnet 130, alongside dramatic monologues and speeches from plays including Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, and Henry V.
The judges awarded three commendations for standout performances: Mrs Jones selected Theo, Mr Furst recognised Matilda, and Mr Steele commended Rob. The overall winner of the competition was Elijah, whose performance secured him a well-deserved first place.
Head of English, Mr Lee, praised the pupils not only for their delivery but for embracing the tradition of spoken poetry. In a speech following the performances, he highlighted poetry’s origins as an oral art form, referencing the works of Homer and the importance of performance in bringing meaning to life.
He also emphasised the broader value of the competition, noting that memorisation strengthens recall and that public speaking builds confidence and resilience, skills highly valued beyond the classroom and in the workforce. Acknowledging the courage required to perform, he commended all participants for pushing themselves outside their comfort zones.
The evening, he concluded, demonstrated both the pupils’ talent and their willingness to take on challenges, leaving the audience with what he described as “a real range of voices” and an “absolutely brilliant” experience.