Our amazing KS2 Junior SLAMbassadors took place at Morpeth School lecture theatre on Thursday 14th February 2019 with funding support from the Amal Fund of the Said Foundation.
2019 Winners!
Each school gave a group performance and a solo performance, with trophies being awarded for the best poem (group and solo), best line, best performance, the best imagery, and to the class who made the most noise (supporting the poets on stage, of course)!
Best Poem : Lansbury Lawrence Primary School (both solo and group) : A change is going to come For each and every one
Best line: Olga Primary School : “we stand against racism, sexism and school uniforms!” “My head is a map in another dimension”
Best Group Performance : Arnhem Wharf Primary School : “This team worked so well together, with the chorus and individual lines.”
Best solo performance : William Davis Primary School : “Esther was poised, spoke clearly, invited audience participation and used pauses well.”
Best imagery : Woolmore Primary School : Solo poem set in outer-space ending with “my feelings are out of this world”
Most noise! : Cayley Primary School : Participants from Cayley school delivered some very funny lines and the audience went wild!
About Junior SLAMbassadors
Junior SLAMbassadors is one of the very few Slams that focus on primary school children to write and perform their own poetry. The project develops emotional literacy, speaking and listening as well as writing skills and performing skills.
One previous participant commented:
“For children, the process of being guided through the process of composing a poem; from word choices and vocabulary to performance, has left them with skills and confidence that they can take on into other aspects of their lives and learning.”
The Amal Fund aims are to increase understanding of Britain’s Muslim communities among people of other faiths and none and to foster a stronger sense of belonging in the UK among its Muslim communities.
Using the theme of Identity, pupils are encouraged to think about the world around them; from the local to the global, about who they are and their relationship with others. At the showcase, pupils – both individually and in groups – get a chance to perform their poetry, with prizes for a variety of categories – best line, best visual image, best performance etc.
Each school taking part received:
- INSET in early January for staff who are to be involved, providing activities and tips for engaging your class with poetry, preparing for your poet visit.
- Two days with your poet coach, exploring the Junior SLAMbassadors theme of Identity and encouraging your pupils to begin writing their own poetry. Each child in your chosen class will have the opportunity to write and perform. At the end of the sessions your class will have chosen a group (or whole-class) piece and a solo piece to perform
- The chance to perform at the SLAMbassadors Showcase
Take part!
Schools can sign up for next year’s SLAMbassadors Poetry Slams through SLAonline. The secondary schools’ event is in July each year, and the next junior event will be in February 2020.
For more information, contact gillian.harris@towerhamlets.gov.uk
