Senior & Sixth Form News
Poetry Live Day

Year 11 pupils from Burgess Hill School for Girls recently attended ‘Poetry Live’ at the Brighton Dome. This event provided the girls with the opportunity to experience poets reciting some of the poems being studied for GCSE. Not only did this enable the group to truly appreciate the meanings behind the poems, but it was also hugely enjoyable. The performances of John Agard and Grace Nichols had rhythms so intense that the audience could actually imagine being in the Caribbean, while Gillian Clarke and Simon Armitage rekindled past memories and ignited new ones. Imitiaz Dharker conjured up vibrant images while Carol Ann Duffy created chilling but credible personas.

On hand was also the chief examiner who provided much needed insight into ways to improve essay techniques for GCSE.

The line-up for this event was impressive, and the girls welcomed the variety of poetry heard. The way the poets responded to questions, and their earnest speeches, opened many eyes to the fact that poetry can be approachable and understood – even though it can still take some time!

Written by Joy Zhou, Year 11

14/02/08