Calling all young poets – Independent Schools Victoria’s Student Poetry Competition is back for 2025 and young people from across Victoria are invited to express themselves in our annual celebration of poetic creativity.
Students can enter a written poem or make a video of themselves speaking or performing their words, bringing energy and conviction to their work.
Poets can choose their own topic or explore our optional theme of Gratitude. Gratitude can be seen as a simple yet powerful emotion that signifies feeling thankful and appreciative for the positive and beneficial things in one’s life. It is about acknowledging and appreciating the kindness, help or positive experiences you have received from others or from life itself. The amazing thing about gratitude is that it can lift your mood, intensify relationships and boost your total wellbeing.
Find out more about this year’s theme, Gratitude.
Looking to enter our performance poetry category? You can find out more in this supporting article for educators, parents and aspiring performance poets.
ISV’s Student Poetry Competition is open to all Victorian primary and secondary students, regardless of school. Prizes will be awarded to winners by a panel of expert judges, and winning poems will be published online.
Winners will be announced in Term 4.
- Foundation–Year 2
- Years 3–4
- Years 5–6
- Years 7–8
- Years 9–10
- Years 11–12
60 lines.
Friday 29 August 2025.
We recognise that some students may want to use AI-powered tools (like ChatGPT, Simplified etc.) to help write their poems.
Although AI can be a powerful tool to help generate ideas, we encourage students to use it just as a starting point. Nothing can replace their original ideas, which give their words conviction, sincerity, personality and emotion.
When they submit their poems, students will be asked if they have used AI. They won’t be penalised or disqualified. This is simply to gauge if and how students might be using AI as part of the creative process.
Students can submit their written poems and performance poems using our submission form.
Contact us at artslearningfestival@is.vic.edu.au, or you can call ISV on (03) 9825 7200.
