POETRY SLAM

The Birkenhead College annual Poetry Slam takes place on National Poetry Day each year, and any student is able to take part. A poetry slam is a competitive art event in which poets perform spoken word poetry before a live audience and a panel of judges. In 2022 the Poetry Slam returned after a two-year hiatus due to Covid.

This year’s competition was won by Latamai Katoa, with his piece ‘Culture Crushed’, delivered in a raw, captivating performance and winning the judges’ final decision. Runner-up was Ella Graham, with ‘Theory of Evolution’ – a strongly rhythmic performance that showed how well Ella uses her voice and emphasis to give extra life to her words. Tahlia Coward’s poem ‘If We Were Vampires’ came third and couldn’t help being enhanced by her amazing Book Day costume!! And we must make mention of Lily Foster, who is only in Year 10 and yet still brave enough to get up and join in the Slam – we hope to see much more from Lily in the future.

Past Slam winner Ollie Quedley-Smith returned to be part of the judging panel, along with Miss Fuller and Miss Mala, and Year 13 student Kurt Hansen carried the event along beautifully as MC.