National Poetry Day
For National Poetry Day, Liz Cashdan who is a published poet with over five collections of published poetry anthologies visited the school and held workshops with Year 7, 9 and 10 students.
She performed some of her most famous poetry, including the poem ‘Salt’ and this was the stimulus for the poetry workshop in which students had to imagine leaving their place of birth (Beeston or Yorkshire in most cases) and if they could capture any memories, smells, sights, sounds and associations, what would they place in a bottled jar to always treasure and cherish. I have included some of the best selections of Year 10 students who were particularly recognised as producing exceptional work in the double lesson. Liz Cashdan also presented the students with a signed copy of her most recent collection of poems entitled ‘Things of Substance.’
In case I never return
By: Joshua Marsden
In case I never return:
I’m taking a jar filled with the scent of my father’s steak and ale pie, straight from the pan. The scent of Guinness and steak.
The droplets of rain against the pavement, taps and drips, soothingly sounds me asleep at night.
Memories of football in primary.
The goals, the fallouts and celebrations.
I leave it all behind,
I stop. Shed a tear, and move on….