Year 8 Poetry Slam

Year 8 Poetry Slam Incursion Brings the House Down 

The Year 8 cohort kicked off an exciting week of creative expression on Tuesday 9th June with an electrifying whole-year introduction to slam poetry, held in the Gym. 

The session, a part of Term 2’s unit on poetry, was led by three accomplished visiting poets — Emilie Zoey Baker, N'fa Jones, and Sista Zai Zanda — who brought energy, passion, and plenty of performance flair to get students fired up about the art form. Before the poets took the floor, the audience was treated to performances from last year's finalists: Harriet Williams delivered a powerful solo poem, while Banyan Bishop, Xavier Down, and Ben Romanes impressed with a dynamic group piece that set a high bar for this year's competitors. 

Throughout the week, each English class participated in two dedicated sessions with the visiting poets. Working closely with students, N'fa and Sista Zai guided them through the craft of slam poetry — its rhythm, voice, and emotional punch — before supporting them to write and shape their very own original poems, either as solo performers or in collaborative groups. 

In Week 9, classes will hold their own internal heats, with the strongest poems from each class earning a coveted spot in the Poetry Slam Final. The grand finale takes place in Week 10 in the Hall, where student poets will take the stage and compete in front of the year 8 cohort with prizes up for grabs as well as an invitation to next year’s OutLoud Poetry Slam Final held during Melbourne Writer’s Week at the Wheeler Centre. 

With so much raw talent on display during the incursion sessions, the Final is shaping up to be a highlight of the term.