Independent Schools Victoria has announced the winners from a record number of entries in its annual Student Poetry Competition.
More than 850 poems totalling well over 100,000 words were submitted – the largest number since the competition began in the 2020.
Entries came from students in Foundation to Year 12 at schools across Victoria. Many of the winning poems explored the optional theme of ‘awe’.
In a media release announcing the winners, ISV Chief Executive Rachel Holthouse said she was moved by the sensitivity and creativity of the young writers. ‘These poems show how passionate, sensitive and articulate young people can be when we are prepared to listen,’ Ms Holthouse said.
‘When schools give their students the opportunity to read great literature, analyse film texts, and explore art in all its forms, we shouldn’t be surprised when they embrace an opportunity like our poetry competition.’
Read the written entries, watch the winning performance poems and find out which students received honourable mentions via the links below.
Written poetry winners
- Changes
Djalu Stanley, Woodline Primary School - Eden Rock Pool
Hannah Wallis, Australian International Academy - Lotus Lantern
Dinethi Rose Perera, Wesley College
Performance poetry winners
n/a
Written poetry winners
- Seasons
Aya Khalil, Fitzroy Community School - Ancient Civilisation
Leo Rees-Graham, Fitzroy Community School - Aussie Outback
Grace Willoughby, Cornish College - Nature’s Awe
Ronan Hughes, Fitzroy Community School
Performance poetry winners
- My Thumb Print
Sulayman Mohamad, Penleigh Essendon and Grammar School - French Toast
Caitlin Au, Donvale Christian College
Written poetry winners
- The Meaning of Awe
Emily Lam, Presbyterian Ladies’ College - The Salmon Swim
Zaid Zuhair, Fitra Community School - Snowflakes
Haley Cheong, Harkaway Hills College
Performance poetry winners
- In Awe of Her Love
Naushali Navaratne, Harkaway Hills College
Written poetry winners
- The Stolen Ones
Sehaj Mata, Ballarat Clarendon College - Lost Stories
Lauren, Strathcona Girls Grammar - Chronos
Maverick Lawrence-Politis, Haileybury College - I’m Sorry Fae
Yesandi Wijesundara, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
Performance poetry winners
- Laughter and the Little Things
Amelia Daniel, Woodleigh School - The Water’s Odyssey
Chloe Au, Lauriston Girls’ School
Written poetry winners
- Wavelength Silk
Chloe Qin, Lauriston Girls’ School - In My Jeans
Arabella, Bacchus Marsh Grammar - Sonder St.
Olivia Hua, Presbyterian Ladies’ College - Medusa
Sayu Weerasinghe, Presbyterian Ladies’ College
Performance poetry winners
- Pretty Pink Box
Katherine Lam, Presbyterian Ladies’ College - Tailor
Nelia Yin, Presbyterian Ladies’ College - Wanderlust
Selena Feng, Methodist Ladies’ College
Written poetry winners
- Origami
Sarah, Sirius College - On A Day Trip to Ephesus
Rania Aldanu, Sirius College - Gum Tree in Viet
Rhea Jaitha, Camberwell Girls Grammar School
Performance poetry winners
n/a
Now in its fifth year, the Student Poetry Competition has established itself as an annual highlight of ISV’s arts learning program.
