College News

Poetry By Heart

Poetry by Heart is a National Competition open to all students aged 14-18 and, this year for the first time, QE got involved.

Julie Ashmore, Head of English Literature at QE, takes up the story:

‘After publicising the competition across College we were thrilled to have 10 entrants.  Auditions were held and we were so impressed with the quality of the students’ performances that it was decided that all should enter the competition and perform in front of an audience in the Hall. Each student had to recite two poems from collections of pre 1914 and post 1914 pieces.  The range of poems chosen was delightful; students really took the poems to heart and communicated them with heartfelt emotion.

Our judges on the night of the competition were two local head teachers, Calvin Kipling from DSMS and Sue Richardson from the Education Village, as well as Peter Barron, Editor of the Northern Echo.  The judges had a very difficult job but, with strict criteria, they were able to reach a decision quite easily.  There was also a ‘people’s vote’ so that the audience could decide whose poem and performance they thought had spoken to them. The atmosphere was electric with live music provided by students Zander Mc Mullon and James McGraw being very much appreciated.’

The winner of the people’s vote was Alice Morley for her performance of Sylvia Plath’s ‘The Applicant’.  Alice also came third in the competition overall.  Second place went to Thomas Parsons-Munn for his performances of Douglas’ ‘How to Kill’ and Whitman’s ‘Dirge for Two Veterans’.  The overall winner was Lizzie Aumonier with her performances of Eliot’s ‘Journey of the Magi’ and Procter’s ‘Envy’.  Lizzie will now go forward to the regional finals held in Middlesbrough at the end of the month.

Lizzie says:

‘It was really fun and exciting’

 A video of Lizzie’s performance can be seen here:

Lizzy Aumonier