WORDCUP - Hounsdown Session #2

Antosh’s WORDCUP Report:

Returning to a school to develop poetry and performance practice is an enriching experience. I find my poetic journey is constantly challenged and pushed every time that I return to a creative space with young writers. Today, at Hounsdown, we are holding a slam to decide who is a part of the WORDCUP team.

I can never really predict where a young writer is going to take what I introduce or discuss with them – and the talent and confidence of the Hounsdown young writers completely exceeded my expectations. It’s a heartening part of the process to witness writers run and subvert a theme or suggestions for their craft. These writers have come prepared with observations and perspectives on existence, one’s grappling with confidence, a painting losing its idea of beauty, the warp of social media, the twists and turns of navigating bullying – and the most far-out idea; a guinea pig from a video game stepping into reality.

Each poet stood up and brought their piece to the space – thirty young writers in total. The range of performances covered different styles and poetic approaches – and each class member rooted for one another. Witnessing fresh poetry and voice in the snap of the afternoon – it does all you could ask for in proving the necessity, and fun, of writing / sharing poetry together.

It was a complex experience selecting the winners – I did my best to commend each writer on what they brought to the space. We’re entering the next project phase of honing in and group writing further into the theme of ‘Witness’ – whilst also growing a new thematic exploration together. More wonder to follow…

Claire’s Report:

When: Wednesday, May 17 2023

Where: Hounsdown School Library

Who: (Poet Coach) Antosh Wojcik, (Assistant Poet Coach) Claire Hillier.

Welcome session #2

We started the session with a check in, asking if our day was an animal what would it be, and why?

● Lion. Chilled proud

● Frog. looks normal but jumpy

● Cat. mischievous, plays with food.

● Snail. Quite slow

● Cat. sleepy

● Elephant. Lethargic

● Zebra. Fast, black + white

● Snail. All I want to do is go home

● Slug. slow, ooze, not likable

● Cheetah. Fast, lively, uncontrollable

● Monkey. Enthusiastic

● Sloth. Want to go to bed

● Koala. Too tired

● Puppy. Hectic

● Pigeon. A bit basic

● Ninja turtle. A lot of energy

● Naked mole rat. Tough. Does not feel pain

● Platypus. Low key, chill

● Donkey. Miserable

● Turquoise turtle

● Pepperoni pig

Following the check-in the students came up with Sharing Guidelines for the group session today.

We then revisited the theme of ‘Witness’ and used this time to edit the poems from last session, some students embarked upon generating a new piece of writing.

We then focused on performance techniques, and did some breathing exercises, physical grounding warm up techniques and vocal warm up exercises. All in preparation for performing poems in the class slam.

THE SLAM.

All the students, in random order, performed their poems. Each piece was carefully reviewed.

The judging categories were:

● How well the poem responds to the theme

● Confidence in performance and material

● Use of language and poetic techniques

● Potential to grow

The judges are still checking their score cards and will be letting the poets through to the team know in due course. ALL the poems were excellent and it was very difficult to mark them.

Our blogs

Regular news and insight from our many poets, writers, educators and facilitators

WORDCUP - Hounsdown Session #2