National Poetry Day
Thursday 6 October 2016: National Poetry Day and this year’s theme was Messages. The concept and function of messages had been the subject of much exploration, experimentation and discussion on Open Day in an interactive poetry taster session, and for National Poetry Day itself we widened the notion and almost literally spread the words in the Tuckwell Room at an Open Mic over lunchtime, bringing messages and poems of all sorts to the captive diners.
Some students had brought poems with them, while others dipped into the extensive choice available on the table beside the mic. Pupils from Queens House gave heartwarming performances, and Years 7 and 8 were clamouring to be first up, many of them going three or even four times as they became braver. In an atmosphere of community, respect and encouragement more and more students stepped up, Year 10 and Year 12 particularly well represented, and there was a wonderful array of self-penned efforts, poems in translation, comedy and philosophy as well as the classics we English teachers know and love so well. It’s always a pleasure to see the ‘have-a-go attitude’ of students and staff alike and I would like to extend my personal, poet’s thanks to all those of you who helped to make our day just a little bit different, and a little bit special. The passion for poetry at Woodbridge School is growing!
