We are so proud of our winners in the Tower Hamlets Creative Writing Competition. Here are the three poems for you to enjoy. Two are from Year 3 pupils (written whilst they were still in Year 2), and one from Year 5  (written whilst  still in Year 4).
Unfortunately this year's prizegiving event was cancelled. However, the winners were presented with their prizes, awards and certificates in school. They are now all published writers, with their own copies of the collected poems and short stories!
For more details of the annual award, run by Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service, you can visit:
​ www.towerhamlets-sls.org.uk/cwc20/

​This Hidden Island
 
In the middle of nowhere
Treasures lay beneath the secret doors,
Suddenly, a dinosaur roared.
Nowhere to run,
It is hot
You can’t even look at the scorching sun.
The sun is like a laser beam,
Scary enough to end your dreams.
Lots of treasure to discover,
Surrounded by spikes and obstacles,
Missing bodies never found,
Don’ dare to enter.
We need the largest lawnmower
To cut all the grass,
Dinosaur fight,
dinosaur attacking like ninjas.
Is this true or false?
What do you believe?
Are you going to explore his island?
Secrets are never discovered.
Many people believe that the dinosaurs
Devoured many explorers.
Surrounded by loads of fires,
Hotter than a volcano.

We’re Going on a Trip
 
We’re going on a trip
We’re going to Mile End
We’re sailing on a ship
To find a hidden island.
 
We’re going at dawn
With all our friends
Megan, Trevor, Lucy and Shawn
We’re not coming back until the adventure ends.
 
We’re going to find hidden treasure
Bronze, gold and silver
We’re full to the brim with pleasure
We’ll be back in time for dinner.
 
We’re happy and excited
But if we find the treasure chest
We’ll be even more delighted
To the end will come this quest!

The Magical Island
 
There is a pink banana boat
And a duck that floats
 
There is a gingerbread man
And a chocolate can
 
There is a marshmallow tree
And a purple and pink bee
 
There is a gold ribbon
And a cute little kitten
 
There are some sweets in a jar
And a chocolate bar
 
There is a little white bunny
And some delectable honey
 
A blue ball
And a beautiful waterfall
 
A green frog
And a gold log
 
A gold cup
And a silver nut
 
There is a unicorn horn
And some popcorn

Class 7 were very happy to work with the musician and poet, Antosh Wojcik, to create poetry through music. Using the many percussion instruments in the Music Studio, and guided by Antosh, they listened carefully to interpret the sounds they made and heard. Working together in groups, Class 7 wrote some amazing poems of their own. Each group performed their new poems to the rest of the class, reciting the words, and accompanying them with music.

They said that they had felt good working in teams to make poems, and that they hadn't realised how sound can 'create a lot of imagination'. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon, and really hoped that Antosh would visit them again! 
​
Antosh said, 'It was so much fun and I was really impressed with the maturity and creativity of the Blue Gate students.'

You can read Class 7's beautiful poems below!

Shuffling Thunder
 
I hear shuffling thunder,
The sun is never near.
I hear shuffling thunder,
I never want to be here.
When is the next chapter going to begin?
I hear shuffling thunder,
BAM! CRASH! BOOM!
This is definitely the day of doom.
 
Calm Wind
 
Wind, cold or hot, lonely or not.
You will, or will not, find peace.
Windy or sunny, you could feel funny.
Let it, or let it not, maybe you will not.
The poem is nice, it’s ice, it’s as cool as a pool.
When it’s windy, Zenron will come.
 
Waterfall
 
Roaring wave splashing and hissing,
A waterfall full of music.
A tiger pouncing,
A cold shower full of heavy rain.
Hailstones of expression,
Heavy thunder with lightning all.
 
Beads and Waterfall
 
The beads are falling
And sizzle and POP!
The waves are calling
Like a water drop.
The waterfall goes by like the wind.
If you listen closely, you can hear them sing –
Demons are scared of water
SWISH! SWOSH! They go by,
Screeching and scratching,
On the waterbed there they lie.
 
Forest
 
The leaves are falling,
The owls are hooting,
The animals are surrounding me.
The wind is blowing,
Autumn’s coming,
The sun is hiding.
The wolves are howling.
The forest never ends.
Autumn going “Bye bye!”
 
 

The winner of our BGFJ competition (linked to the Love Reading and National Poetry Day national prize) is Samya Yasmin, for her lovely poem. Samya won a Michael Rosen poetry book, and a great National Poetry Day bookmark and badge!

The Truth About School
 
My school, my school,
Beautiful and so cool.
My teachers are so nice,
And they give me knowledge and advice.
My school looks simple,
But to us it’s wonderful.
In the morning we play,
And study the whole day.
Every day school ends,
And we make many friends.
I will be a fool,
If I miss school.
I go with a bag,
With my school tag.
My school uniform,
In the winter keeps me warm.
Many books are in the library,
Some we read, some we carry.
I am blessed with a playground,
It has greeneries all around.
We learn in school,
Discipline and the rules.
My school, my school,
Beautiful and so cool!

Alice H. and Class 8 have been taking part in this prestigious annual event. Class 8 looked at 'Dark Sky Park: poems from the edge of nature' by the poet Philip Gross, one of the 5 books shortlisted for this award. CLiPPA is unique in awarding a prize to poetry for children, and is run by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE).
​The award ceremony was held at the National theatre, on the South Bank. Hosted by the poet and author A.F.Harrold, it featured performances from the shortlisted poets, and children from as far afield as Birmingham and Norfolk! Two of the poets live in the USA, so they sent video messages to an appreciative audience.
​The amazing Chris Riddell, former Children's Laureate, drew live throughout the whole event. It was a great afternoon!

Love Reading for Kids Poetry Prize in association with National Poetry Day, celebrating its 25th Anniversary Year.
A national poetry competition for children ages 7- 11. Write an original poem with the title ‘The Truth about School’.
The winning poet will receive a trophy and certificate, plus a visit to school from National Poetry Day ambassador and award-winning poet James Carter, and £250 of books for our school. They will also win an annual subscription to the gorgeous magazine Scoop www.scoopthemag.co.uk
Winning and commended poems will be published on the LoveReading, LoveReading4Kids and LoveReading4Schools websites.
You can write about an imaginary school or your current school.
You can write the poem in the voice of a student, a teacher, a dog or an alien!
You can write in free verse or write a poem with repeated patterns running through it, or one with a strict rhythm and rhyme.
There are no rules except to base your poem around the theme of  “In School, Truth” #TheTruthAboutSchool
There are resources and ideas on the National Poetry Day website www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk
The judges will be looking for exciting, stimulating, original and beautifully written poems that leave a powerful impression on the reader. You can write in any style and in any length.
The national judges are Andrea Reece, Joy Court, Tricia Adams and James Carter, the prize-winning poet.
The poem must be original and entirely the poet’s own work, and must be submitted in the poet’s own name.
The prize for the best poem in school will be a signed Michael Rosen poetry book.
Hand your entries in to Sue by Monday 15th July 2019
​Collect an entry form from your class teacher!

Blue Gate Fields Juniors kick-started our annual Poetry Week with the great performance poet, Adisa. He performed for the whole school in assembly, and then held three workshops with some very lucky pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5! What an inspiration for our future poets!

​​What an amazing evening we had at the TH Creative Writing Awards ceremony, which was held at the Clifford Chance building, on the 30th floor. What amazing views too!
​One of our Year 3 poets won 2nd prize for his splendid poem, 'Soldiers' Clothes'. He even dressed for the part, when receiving his prize from the poet Joseph Coelho.​
Soldiers’ Clothes
 
Soldiers have messy clothes
When they are getting ready on
Their drones. Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
Very messy boots making no
Birds toots. It’s no joke.
It’s like clothes being covered
In Coke. Strong, metal armour
Making no sad choirs. Armour
Is making them brave
Making sure they’re not
Lying in their grave.
Their clothes never get clear
Making them a mud monster.
They always get messy making
Them mad. Such unclean
Clothes need cleaning.
It’s because they do
So much fighting.

Announcing the 2018 Blue Gate Fields Junior School Poetry Competition!
Come on BGFJ poets, let's have your entries for this year's Poetry Week challenge. All you have to do is to write a list poem, on any subject. If you like, you can illustrate it too.

The closing date is Friday 22nd June

Sue has written one as an example, but you can write yours about anything at all.

                                         Summer is …

                                         Running along the beach, jumping the waves.
                                         Licking ice cream, dripping from a cone.
                                         Sudden lightning flashing,
                                         Thunder’s roll
                                         Big raindrops falling, before a sudden shower.
                                         Sun emerging from the clouds.
                                         Sun cream at the ready,
                                         Hot
                                         Hot
                                         Hot
                                         Holidays!
 
                                                                                                           by Sue Dearie

In 2017, Kate Wakeling's book 'Moon Juice' won the CLiPPA Poetry Award, run by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education. We are so pleased that she will be launching our Poetry Week on Monday 11th June.

​Kate started to write poetry when she was about 8 years old.
Kate says:
“Writing a poem is about letting your imagination zoom … try not to choose words just for what they mean but explore how they sound too.”