This year’s Student Poetry Competition drew a record response from young writers across Victoria.
More than 1300 poems were submitted by students from Foundation to Year 12, the highest number of entries since the competition began in 2020.
This collection of poems reflects growing confidence and individuality. Many years 9-10 student poets explored various themes through vivid detail and emotion, showing how poetry can give shape to complex ideas and feelings.
Years 9 – 10 written poetry
Winners:
- Phenomenal African by Praise Barney, Clyde Secondary College
Finalists:
- Ocean Plunge by Amaira Rampal Arani, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
- Pen to Paper by Dwisha Kalyani, Glen Waverley Secondary College
- Thinking, Always by Jade Rao, Lauriston Girls’ School
- Even through Saltwater, I’ll Still Ask by Katia Alexopoulos, Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC)
- In the Blink of an Eye by Lily Ouyang, Lauriston Girls’ School
- The Black Swan by Nabihah Syeda, Bacchus Marsh Grammar
- When Icarus Fell by Phoebe Curlis-Gibson, Donvale Christian College
- The Five Lamp Posts and their Street by Pratiti Sarker, Glen Waverley Secondary College
- In the Room by Sebastian De Marte, Christian College Geelong
Honourable Mentions:
- Eye of the Storm by Alexia Chatfield, Melbourne Girls Grammar
- Solitary Dove by Arshiya Halim, Bacchus Marsh Grammar
- A Quiet Grace by Bridget McKelvie, Cathedral College Wangaratta
- Things I’ve Discovered by Chloe Santosa, St Catherine’s School
- The Orchard Where Time Forgot Me by Chloe Singh, Fintona Girls’ School
- pray, pray, prey for love by Claire Dai, Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC)
- Saline Cravings by Esther Casson, Melbourne Girls Grammar
- All Things Bleed the Same Red by Evelyn Le, The University High School
- The Parasite and its Host by Fathima Ali, Al Iman College
- I Give Thanks by Hayley Zhang, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School
- The Quiet Privilege by Mehak Soin, Haileybury
- The Wish for the Withering Flower by Senuli Wickramasinghe, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
- The Rain after Dark by Tharuki Bodhinayake, Glen Waverley Secondary College
- A Blade in Armour by Thejesvi Balasubramanian, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
- There are No Winners in War by Zachary Davies, Christian College Geelong
Years 9 – 10 performance poetry
Winners:
- Ceiling by Evangeline Flynn, Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC)
Finalists:
- How should I Eat by Amy Yang, Methodist Ladies’ Collage (MLC)
- For Tomorrow by Francesca Hiscock, Melbourne Girls Grammar
- You’ll always be there by Livian Gomes, Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak
- The Gift of Gratitude by Sabrina Azadzoi, Minaret College