CELEBRATING A YEAR OF POETIC MASTERY

Where words take flight and rhythm finds its way, the Year 6 L.E.N.S. (Literature Enrichment for Nurturing Success) group attended a memorable evening on the 18th of November, sharing their remarkable growth and achievements with their families. This event wasn't just a showcase; it was the culmination of a year spent crafting, refining, and breathing life into language. 

The evening commenced with a Poetry Escape Room for all, leading on to the students reading 2 poems each to an audience, overcoming nerves and building confidence as they went. To say I am proud of their achievements this year would be an understatement. The students were challenged to step away from cliches, such as using rhyme only, and to apply new techniques purposefully for an audience or reader. The pride of students and parents alike filled the room as each student spoke, marking a fitting end to a successful year of nurturing.

Throughout the year, the 13 students focused on elevating their writing by mastering specific techniques. They worked with Free Verse Poetry to create poems without traditional rules; used sound devices for rhythm and flow; and incorporated figurative language and emotive language to deepen meaning. They learned to build powerful imagery through descriptive language and to strategically use stanza and line breaks to control the poem's pace and impact. Additionally, they drew inspiration from the works of Australian poets, such as Dorothea Mackellar’s My Country and the Indigenous author Sally Morgan’s verse novel Sister Heart.

A significant highlight of the year was the students' participation in the prestigious Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. Entering their original works into this national competition provided an invaluable experience in drafting for a high-stakes audience and engaging with Australia's rich literary landscape.

It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to guide the children's development in this genre of writing and I pray they continue to practice and apply these new skills as they move into secondary school and beyond. 

Thank you to the family members in attendance for supporting the students. Also, a big thank you to the leaders present - Cathleen Barker: Head of Primary, Carrie Scampton: Head of Teaching and Learning and Darren Horton: Year 5/6 Coordinator, plus the Discovery Centre,  School Admin and Catering teams in assisting me to make the night a success.