Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services

Tag: Poetry Slam

  • KS3 SLAMbassadors 2017

    KS3 SLAMbassadors 2017

    KS3quote 2017

    We are delighted to announce that the Said Foundation, through their new Amal Project, is to help fund our annual KS3 Slambassadors Poetry Slam that the Schools Library Service delivers in partnership with the Poetry Society each year.

    The aim of the grant is to celebrate the diversity of Muslim cultures through art and education, and so this year’s workshop leaders will be chosen from new and exciting British Muslim poets identified as a result of this project.

    Pupils work with the visiting poets to write and perform their own poetry using the theme “identity”, and the best performances from our Slam are entered into the National SLAMbassadors final later in the year.

    We have had several national winners from Tower Hamlets schools including NAGA (Oaklands School), Sadia Ahmed (Swanlea School), PACE (Oaklands School), Samilah Naira (Mulberry Girls School) and last year the wonderful Cold Fire Crew from Bow School.

    The Slam is part of the Schools Library Service Creative Literature Package, and so secondary schools who have already signed up for this will receive a refund to reflect the funding received.

    Secondary Schools who do not have a subscription to the Schools Library Service are invited to take part at a much reduced cost – the amount depending on how many schools wish to take part.

    The Slam consists of:

    • 2-day masterclass with students from across the school years
    • Performance/ assembly from the spoken word poet
    • INSET for teaching and library staff
    • A Showcase slam event at Soho Theatre on Thursday 6th July 2017
    • Filmed poems entered into the national youth slam championships and uploaded to the SLAMbassador You Tube page (with consent)

    Please contact the Schools Library Service by Friday 12th May to take part this year.

    • email : gillian.harris@towerhamlets.gov.uk
    • phone : 020 7364 6428
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  • KS3 Poetry Slam 2016

    KS3 Poetry Slam 2016

    KS3group2016The Tower Hamlets SLAMbassadors Poetry Slam took place at the Soho Theatre in the West End on Thursday 14th July where budding poets from four secondary schools performed alongside professional poets and rappers. A total of 17 young poets and rappers took to the stage in the performance showcasing the skills they had learned during Masterclass workshops held in school during the previous two months. An additional Performance Workshop the evening before prepared them for the stage, to speak without notes, to own the stage and enjoy the dynamic between audience and performer. In short, the workshop was aimed at increasing confidence and self-expression.

    Extraordinary talent was demonstrated on the Soho Theatre stage last week! Working on the theme “Identity”, powerful imagery flowed from the stage and the audience was bowled over by the emotion and passion with which the poetry was delivered.

    The Showcase format allowed for the young spoken word artists to fully celebrate their voices in a supportive and dynamic atmosphere. There were no winners; they were all winners. Certificates were presented to each of the performers and their performances are being considered by the poetry society for progression to the National Slam event next year.

    The event was hosted by poet Joelle Taylor and headlined by poet, vocalist and MC Joshua Idehen.

    The Tower Hamlets Poetry Slam is one of a package of creative literature events available from Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service. Contact gillian.harris@towerhamlets.gov.uk for more details.

    Taking part this year were:

    • Sir John Cass Secondary School
    • Stepney Green Maths Science and Computing College
    • Swanlea School
    • Central Foundation Girls School

    Bow School and Morpeth School also took part in Masterclasses, but sadly, were unable to attend the Slam on the day.

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  • Junior Poetry Slam 2017

    Junior Poetry Slam 2017

    Junior SLAMbassadors, run by the Schools Library Service and The Poetry Society, has engaged primary school children in Tower Hamlets for the last two years. It is a project that will focus not only the participants’ literacy and oracy, but also crucially on their emotional literacy.

    The programme uses the theme of Identity to encourage participants to think about the diversity of the world around them; from the local to the global. It allows them to make links between their motherlands and the east end of London, and explore their place in the world.

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    Performing at the 2015 Slam

    What schools have said:

    “The SLAM raised the profile of poetry especially the whole school assembly our poet did and then the Year 6’s performing to the school. The children were very excited. We hope to continue this excitement with our own poetry slam during book week.”

    “The experience…has been brilliant and totally beyond expectation. Joelle developed a wonderful rapport with the more difficult children and held their attention and enthusiasm brilliantly. They will definitely be talking about this experience for a long time.”

    The project will take place in December/January 2016/2017

    Each school will receive:

    • INSET training for up to 3 staff members
    • 2 days of workshops with a poet
    • Chance to perform at the SLAMbassadors Finale

     Poet mentors: Joelle Taylor, Francesca Beard, Shane Solanki, BREIS, Adisa, and others

    INSET training will take place in December 2016 and provide activities and tips for engaging your class with poetry, preparing for your poet visit and honing your class performance skills.

    Workshops will take place in January 2017 (on dates by arrangement with each participating school). Across the two days each child 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 at the SLAMbassadors showcase.

    The SLAMbassadors showcase in February 2017 will involve all of the schools and poets on the project. The showcase will be a fun and energetic celebration of the successes of all the young people on the project, with prizes for various categories awarded. Schools can invite guests and VIPs, as well as other classes to make it a large and exciting event.

    Participation is limited to the first TEN schools to apply. After this, a waiting list will be compiled and a second showcase event organised when the waiting list reaches four schools.

    To take part, order via SLAonline, or email gillian.harris@towerhamlets.gov.uk for more information.

  • KS2 Poetry Slam 2015

    KS2 Poetry Slam 2015

    The KS2 SLAMbassadors took place at Swanlea School last Thursday 5th February 2015.

    Using the theme “Identity” year 6 classes in eight primary schools wrote and performed their own poetry at a thrilling event at Swanlea.

    Schools have had poets in schools working with the classes during January.

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    There was a group performance and a solo performance from each school, for which a trophy was awarded to the winner and runner-up in each category. In addition, the judges selected other contributions for the best line, the best imagery, and the best performance as well as the Joelle Taylor Award for Joelle’s favourite!

    Junior SLAMbassadors has engaged primary school children in East London for the last 2 years. It is a project that focusses not only the participants’ literacy and oracy, but also crucially on their emotional literacy.

    “it has been really inspiring to see the range of different children who have taken part and taken so much out of this fantastic initiative” -Tower Hamlets Teacher

    Schools can sign up for next year’s SLAMbassadors through SLAonline.  The secondary schools’ event is in July 2015, and the junior event will be in February 2016

    Email gillian.harris@towerhamlets.gov.uk for more information or use the contact form below.

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  • KS3 & 4 Poetry Slam 2014

    KS3 & 4 Poetry Slam 2014

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    TH SLAM final flyer 2014The KS3 Poetry Slam 2014 finale took place today, Thursday 3rd July at Wilton’s Music Hall.  The event was the final showcase for Tower Hamlets participants from Swanlea, Sir John Cass, Stepney Green, Bow Boys, and Morpeth Secondary Schools.  Winners go on to participate in the Poetry Society’s national Slambassadors UK events.

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    All the performers at the close of the event
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  • About the Secondary School Poetry Slam

    About the Secondary School Poetry Slam

    Slam is the competitive art of performance poetry, rapping or emceeing (with or without beatbox, but with no backing track), where artists slam it out over a hot microphone in front of a loud and lively audience – and a panel of judges made up of professionals in the field.

    “Before Slam I was getting excluded from school and was the BIGGEST underachiever in my year group. I was in all sorts of different types of trouble but you lot gave me a chance to excel and rise about that, and for that I thank you…… Since slam I have been doing all sorts of crazy things and have gone so far beyond my expectations and imagination.”

    Hussain Manawer, ex-SLAMbassadors UK participant, now Poetry Mentor

    Schools will receive

    The Tower Hamlets Poetry Slam consists of a 2 full-day workshops in your school led by a well-known poet or spoken word artist. The first day will feature a performance from the poet, look at poetic techniques, writing stimulus, beatbox, and writing a poem or rap piece around a common theme. The second day focuses on performance skills and rehearsals.

    The Slam finale is a half-day of performance on stage at a theatre with all participating school groups in attendance. Schools can each bring up to 30 students along to cheer on the performers!

    Why take part?

    The Slam is about more than exploring poetry, it’s about your students exploring identity, self-expression and self-confidence. Over the years Tower Hamets schools have produced performance poets of incredible talent who have gone on to national acclaim.

    I learned who I am.

    I learned that my voice can be heard.

    The most valuable aspect was learning how to express feelings that you may not know you have.

    Joelle was great and taught us loads also it really improved my self-esteem; and I found out that dyslexia doesn’t stop you from doing everything.

    I learned how to make my feelings heard.

    I have found me. I have learned that I can be proud of my work.

    Comments about the workshops from the students

    Register

    Sign up via your school’s SLA Online portal. Contact the Schools Library Services for more information about this event.

    • Tel : 020 7364 6428
    • email : schoolslibraryservices@towerhamlets.gov.uk