Growing Voices: Primary Olympiad Brings Norfolk Pupils Together for Creative Expression

On Wednesday 13th November, Inspiration Trust continued its Primary Olympiad initiative in its 3rd year running, whereby children from trust primary schools across Norfolk attended a Choral Poetry event at the Centre of Education on the Hewett Academy site in Norwich for a morning of poem performances and joy. 

All primary school pupils were excited to get started in the latest event of the initiative, with everyone having an opportunity to recite their poems to each other. Year 2 classes from each school performed their poems, whilst the other schools acted as their audience, practicing key listening skills and respectfully watching the other children that took their turn to perform. Each school had the opportunity to perform twice, once as a warm-up and then in a final performance as a friendly competition against the other schools. 

Rebecca Handley-Kirk, Primary Director at Inspiration Trust said: 

“The poetry competition is a truly wonderful event. Our Year 2 pupils demonstrated remarkable confidence as they performed their poems, showing the dedication and effort, they put into memorising the words. Developing the ability to speak confidently in front of an audience is an essential life skill, and our pupils are mastering it at an impressively early stage in their school journey. This event also provides a fantastic opportunity to bring our primary schools together, strengthening the sense of community within our trust.” 

Pupils performed their poems of choice to an audience of other trust primary children and staff in the south hall at the Centre of Education, with the aim of promoting oracy, being able to express themselves and performing in large groups to build confidence in the children. This helps lay foundations for future performances, speaking to audiences and building their confidence. The children felt comfortable and were able to grow their skills, in a safe environment supported by their peers. Schools performed the following poems: 

• Charles Darwin Primary: Life doesn’t frighten me - Maya Angelou                                     
• Cobholm Primary Academy: Gran, can you rap? - Jack Ousby                                                      
• Great Yarmouth Primary Academy 1: The morning rush - John Foster                                     
• Great Yarmouth Primary Academy 2: Dinosaur rap - John Foster                                           
• Queensway Infant and Junior Academy:  Oh Dear! - Michael Rosen                                     
• Stradbroke Primary Academy: Football mad - Benjamin Zephaniah 

Pupils were full of encouragement for each other and acted sensitively when others were performing. The morning was enjoyed by all and this initiative will continue into the academic year with the Primary Olympiad providing opportunities for children of all primary year groups to take part.