Oakham School celebrated the imaginative talents of its pupils this past Winter Term through two creative writing competitions offered through the English Department.
Form 4 pupils have been developing their transactional writing skills this term. They were invited to write a persuasive speech on a topic they were passionate about. Elodie chose to write about the importance of charitable work, focusing on homeless children living in the UK. In contrast, Robert focused on the necessity of nuclear energy – a speech influenced by an article he recently read in The Economist. Both students’ work exemplified a confident and convincing viewpoint with a range of effective language and structural features to appeal to their audiences.
To celebrate this year’s National Poetry Day and its chosen theme of ‘Refuge’, all Oakham students were encouraged to embrace their creative side and write some poetry. Lower School students were given the title ‘October Afternoon’ and were encouraged to consider how this time of year can produce a sense of refuge found in nature.
Harry’s poem ‘October Afternoon’ effectively ensnared readers’ senses through his imaginative description of an autumnal afternoon, using playful language such as “bejewelled conkers” and “plump pumpkins”.
Middle School students were given the stimuli of poet Brian Bilston’s poem ‘Leading with Kindness’ – a poem that offers one attitude towards refugees when read top to bottom and an alternative attitude when read bottom to top. Middle School students were encouraged to adopt Bilston’s structure and produce a poem with dual attitudes towards refugees. Joshua’s poem ‘Voices,’ when read top to bottom, captured a despondent voice of a refugee seeking acceptance; however, when read bottom to top, presented an assertive, optimistic viewpoint of belonging.
Finally, Upper School students were introduced to Somali British poet Warsan Shire whose poem ‘Home’ explores the experiences of refugees leaving their homeland for another. Upper School students were then asked to produce a poetic response to this poem. Tarisai’s sensitive poem ‘Institution’ used allegorical references to Greek mythology, connecting the experiences of exploited female characters to present-day traumas experienced by refugees.
All writers were invited to Chapel Close to celebrate their successes with the Headmaster. Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved.
