House Poetry Competition – A Celebration of Words and Confidence

Today, the King’s St Alban’s community gathered in the John Moore Theatre for one of the most anticipated events of the autumn term, the House Poetry Competition. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and a touch of nervous energy as pupils from across the school took to the stage to perform their chosen poems from memory in front of an audience of fellow pupils, staff, and proud family members.

Each performer had worked incredibly hard to learn and interpret their poem, bringing expression, character, and confidence. From humour and imagination to reflection and emotion, every poem showcased the individuality and creativity of our pupils. It was a true celebration of language, performance, and courage.

Mrs Dyke from King’s Worcester had the difficult task of judging the competition and was hugely impressed by the standard of every performance. She praised the pupils for their confidence, clarity, and enthusiasm, noting how beautifully each child brought their poem to life.

The line-up of poems was as varied as it was entertaining, from Spike Milligan’s nonsense verses and Roger McGough’s witty rhythms to classics by Maya Angelou and William Wordsworth. Performers included our brave Year 3 pupils, Ivan with I Wonder Why by Jeannie Kirby, Lakshmi with The Whale Hymn, Wilf with Puppy by Debra Bertulis, and Alice with The Sound Collector by Roger McGough. Each pupil shone brightly, making it a morning to remember.

In a closely contested competition, it was Wilson House who were crowned this year’s overall winners, with Armstrong, Bailey, and Thomas Houses all putting in excellent performances and contributing to a truly inspiring event.

A huge well done to every participant for their bravery, passion, and dedication, standing up on stage to share a poem is no small feat, and each pupil should feel incredibly proud of their achievement. The afternoon was a wonderful reminder of the power of poetry to inspire, connect, and give voice to imagination and of the joy that comes from sharing it together as a school community.