By: Jan Norton, Head of English (FCPS)
What a night! To celebrate World Poetry Day, Framlingham College Prep School held the annual Poetry by Heart competition final. In order to reach the final the competitors had to recite their chosen poem to their English class – every child in Years 5 to 8 was involved – and then in the second round recite it to two members of staff. They were then given a ‘common’ poem to learn in five days! ‘Daffodils’ by William Wordsworth for Years 5 and 6 and ‘Blackberry Picking’ by Seamus Heaney for Years 7 and 8.
The room was full of nervous tension as the final began but what a marvellous showcase of talent we saw – poems on subjects from homework to cruel words; nuclear war to irritating pupils in school; wolves to a silver moon.
The judges – Leo Goldsmith (Head of English at Framlingham College) and Bruce Wilson (last minute stand for the ill Mrs Farmery, our LAMDA teacher) – had a tough job finding the winners but Mim Marvell was triumphant for the juniors and James Aldous for the seniors. Many congratulations to all the finalists – you were truly amazing.
