Earlier this term 5P studied “The Highwayman”, by Alfred Noyes. The poem centres around three main characters - the Highwayman, his sweetheart Bess and Tim the Ostler, who is jealous of their love. The children acted scenes from the poem and were then asked to write about the tragedy that occurred from the perspective of one of the characters. Below are the introductions to some very powerful pieces of writing they produced.
My life as a Highwayman How did it come to this? That my beloved Bess, oh sweet beloved Bess, is now dead; her head hanging down with blood dripping on her breast. Those red coats! I will kill every one of them if it’s the last thing I do. Oh, I remember way back when first I laid my eyes on her… Her long black hair flowing over her dress. Oh sweet beautiful Bess, I love her with all the love left in my heart. Anish Jaspal 5P
My life as Bess How did it come to this? I didn’t have a choice. If I hadn’t of shot myself, the highwayman would have died. I couldn’t bear to watch my love being killed outside my casement. I do not regret what I did and there is nothing I can do about it now. I am already dead. My love for the highwayman was too strong for me to let him die. Every time I’d have looked out of my casement, I would have had to look at my love’s rotting body, hanging on a tree by the dark, cobbled road on Gibbet Hill… Brooke Walton 5P
My Life as Tim the Ostler
THE HIGHWAYMAN
How did it come to this? Beautiful Bess was dead and it was all my silly fault! Calm down! It wasn’t entirely my fault, it was also that stupid and lazy Highwayman’s fault. I was furious but slightly cheered up to know that the stinking highwayman was dead, shot down painfully on the roadside! He deserves it, if you ask me. I still look at his body happily sometimes, but when it reminds me of Bess I weep. James Chalker 5P
To make your teacher angry Is considered to be bad, So follow this tasty menu, To send them raving mad! A Menu to Make My Teacher Angry… A flavoursome platter of daydreaming, With a sprinkle of spelling mistakes, Light, crisp and golden graffiti, Marinated with a dressing of bad manners. Mixed leaves with salted whispering, Added with succulent slamming desks, With honey roasted fiddling, Garnished with a lovely, stuffed bunch of carelessness. Lastly, a big bowl of untidy writing, With a side of capital letters, Soaked with bad behaviour, Last of all a piece forgetfulness.
TO MAKE MY TEACHER ANGRY by Jessica and Jasmyn 4GD