Inspired by Clifton

Inspi ed

by Clifton

Anthology compiled by the Pre-Prep & Prep Librarians - Jenny Jones & Jo Denning - and the Percival Librarians - Leah Shaw, Lauren Walker, Melissa Collier-Baker & Charlotte Withey 1W Club Poem Our clubs are so fun, When they finish we wish they weren’t done.

Inspi ed

Judo, Karate, Models and Lego, Street Dance, Forest School and Zoo, To name but a few.

We make new friends, We learn new things, Jumping in puddles and building things.

We love our clubs, We are so lucky to have them, Will you come and join the fun?

by Clifton

We paint our faces and play games.

We have plenty to eat and drink at forest school, We dip biscuits in hot chocolate, which tastes yummy, And on a very cold day, It warms our hands, our mouth and tummy.

At Clifton College we study, play, live and work in a truly stunning education environment.

We do lots of fun things in the forest, Making bows and arrows, swords and dens, When things break, We have to build them again.

The poems in this anthology have been written by children of all ages, experiences and abilities. They have been chosen by the librarians to represent pupil voices from across the school describing their favorite places in Clifton College and what these places mean to them.

Our pupils enjoy many specialist facilities such as the Redgrave Theatre, world class sports grounds, Forest School and our three dedicated school libraries as well as living and studying in historic buildings and carefully maintained grounds. All of these places have a profound impact on our pupils, as these poems reveal.

2H Forest School Poem

Thank you to all of the pupils who sent us their poetry to be included in this anthology. We really enjoyed reading your work- it made us laugh and it made us cry and it made us think about how lucky we all are to be working in such an inspiring place and with such creative, thoughtful young people.

Colourful, tall, old and leafy trees surround us, We can climb higher and higher.

Off we go on a stick hunt to find kindling, So that Mrs Ingram can start the fire!

Enjoy.

Jenny Jones, Preparatory School

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Forest school is special to us, We learn about nature and the world outside, We hop in the mini bus, buckle up, And off we go for a ride!

We see wild animals hiding in bushes, The robin with its bright feathers and cute little eyes, Tiger, the cat comes to say hello, What a nice surprise!

Forest school is a school day treat, We go there to have learn and have lots of fun, It’s a special part of our school, Because it belongs to everyone!

Hot, gooey, soft marshmallows stick to our fingers, As we toast them in the flames, The mud pit is fun to get dirty in,

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3T - Our Playground

3F - My Kenning

The playground is fun, We like to run, In the glorious sun.

Surrounded by walls, Playing with balls.

We skip with hoops, Cricket bats, stilts and scoops.

A person learning People researching An enjoyable time Funny jokes Relaxing reading Hard working A fun library Comfy cushions

The equipment is cool, It’s provided by school.

We’re safe and sound, If we fall on the ground, Or if we feel ill, We’ll call Mrs Hill.

Stimulating displays Bright lights Cool rhymes Exciting times

Life’s never lonely, Under the friendship tree It’s always good for you and me.

A beautiful library Imaginative time A fun place A colourful book case

We’re not allowed: To kick the ball high in the sky, Because it might make some children cry, Nor be unkind or scream, Nor ride a bike, Nor eat ice cream!

Friendly people Cool books And that…

Adds up… to Clifton College Pre-Prep Library

There are water fountains, If you’d like a drink, But don’t flood the sink!

Make sure you think!

It’s often exciting, But there’s never fighting If someone gets hurt, We’ll make an alert, We play with our friends, Until the bell rings…

Orange, Green and Blue Group, Nursery - Forest School We go to forest school on our minibus.

We try to do our seatbelts, the teachers help us.

We sit on logs at base camp, Even when they are damp.

We like the creatures there, So does forest school bear.

We pull big sticks behind us, And point the little ones down.

We use the sticks for digging, In the mud that is brown.

Pena, Reception - The Library I Love the Library It is quiet Borrow books Reading PeAceful StoRies are funny You can choose

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Warm water splashing everyone, Fast swimmers streamlined in the water, Colourful goggles protecting our eyes, Blue float helping us to swim.

Interesting books to read, Soft toys to cuddle, Comfy cushions to snuggle on, Secret places to hide away.

1R - Three Clifton College Riddles: Which Favourite Places Are These?

Clever children working hard, Exciting roleplay for pretending, Beautiful artwork making the walls colourful, Fun learning inspiring us.

3L - The Redgrave Theatre Redgrave Theatre is where everyone goes Everyone’s looking forward to the play Directors are in the pit Get your make-up on Rehearsals happen in the theatre Audience come to watch Very busy in the dressing room Entertaining is the actor’s job Treasure the moment forever Hundreds of plays come to life in the theatre Eating sweets in the seats Audience applaud the performance Time flies by having lots of fun Robin Hood was our show Exciting place to perform

Alisa S, Year 7 - Poole’s House Poole’s is such a wonderful place The matrons always treat you with grace There is joy and peace and stress gets released Happiness flows and confidence grows.

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Sacha D, Year 7 - Poole’s House

Dong Ha H, Year 6 - Redgrave Theatre

At School, Poole’s is my second home It is my favourite place I can relax here and be myself There’s always a friendly face.

We enter the doors all in a huddle The people are all in a muddle The queue is waiting so long They forgot how much time had gone.

The warm biscuit and cookie smells Creates a wonderful aroma We are welcomed in here at the end of the day By our lovely matron, Mrs Hamer.

The people ran up the stairs Just to sit in comfy chairs Waiting for the show to come on Isn’t that much fun.

When you hear the bell It is a rush to sit down Picking up cushions and toys Scattering them on the ground Miss Graveney’s voice silences us To hear about the day We need to listen carefully Before we can make our way

Behind the spectators, there’s a DJ Where lighting and sound will be controlled today There’s so many buttons to make a mistake The DJ should grab a coffee and stay awake.

We are now Backstage Where actors claim their rage They are putting on costumes Waiting for the play to resume.

The curtains have gone grey The orchestra started to play While lights are shimmering bright We sing the last song of the night.

Once on this stage, when they performed Miss Saigon People searched for a boy- where had he gone?

Once on this stage, when they performed The Jungle Book People couldn’t find anywhere in the play about a book...

This room is quite often loud Talking about matches lost and won A lot of chatter here and there And always a lot of fun.

At school, Poole’s is my second home It is my favourite place I can relax here and be myself There’s always a friendly face.

Licia M, Year 7 - My Favourite Place in Clifton My favourite place at Clifton College Has lots to do with books.

I love to sit and read in there, While others check their looks.

My favourite place at Clifton College Is where I go each break.

Some of my friends come and join me here, But others go to have cake.

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My favourite place at Clifton College Is where I go every Thursday lunch.

I eat my food with lots of friends, But also meet those new to the bunch.

My favourite place at Clifton College Is the place I like the most.

I know you want to know what it is!

So I’ll tell you it’s not a ghost.

I am not potty about PP, No, I am loopy about the Library.

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Harrison T, Year 7 - My Favourite Place

Ed G, Year 7 - Quiet in the Library

Rugby time and we are ready to go Pass the ball and watch it flow Chase the player, bring him down Ruck the ball and gain some ground

When you walk into the library After a boring maths lesson To the gentle heat of the library And instantly get filled with Love, compassion and kindness.

That’s why I love the library.

Warmer days and it’s time for cricket Swing the bat and defend the wicket Run a single and hit a four As I try and beat my highest score This is what happens on the Close The place at school I love the most These are happy times with my friends Hoping that it never ends.

The library is a quiet place where you can Offload ideas Think of ideas And Learn of other people’s ideas.

That’s why I love the library.

When you climb up the spiral stairs To the top level of the library, This is where you enjoy it the most.

The gentle hum of conversations below, The chatter of friends messing around.

That’s why I love the library.

Emma L, Year 7 - The Rose Garden

Florimond V, Year 5 - The Rose Garden

When I’m in the rose garden I can hear the roses singing and dancing On the tune of the wind

Roses are invited to the Rose Garden,

Lots of different colours around me, Red, pink, white and even yellow.

Everyone is allowed to play.

I won’t allow anyone to take my beautiful roses Because each one of them is Special, that little souvenir.

You treat them with respect and Softness Because they are kings And queens Of the flowers.

Oh, it smells lovely there!

Secret and sweet but…

Growing beautiful plants, A very special space, where flowers are important.

Rare as winning the lottery!

Different to other gardens Every leaf is taken care of.

Nothing is more colourful than the Rose Garden.

It’s the creation of God that We need to respect and admire.

If you try to take one of these roses, they are going to hurt you.

But if you try to protect the roses, they are going to thank you by Growing another rose.

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Cerys J, Year 7 - Water Pitch at BB

Elena G, Year 7 - The Dome

There is a deafening silence on the pitch, As the rain starts to fall onto the field,

My favourite place in Clifton College is far away from class.

The lights are bright but the sky is dark,

It is made of plastic and I find it quite fantastic!

And there are two teams who want the shield.

During the summer we play tennis there,

Two crowds, each end, whisper between themselves,

All the pitches turn square.

Everyone can feel the tension buildup,

On the outside it looks like a bee’s nest,

Players from both sides race into positions,

And that is why it is the best!

Their hockey sticks down and their heads up.

And during the winter it turns to netball

Until…

It’s really amazing seeing it change,

Loud blows the whistle,

But also how it is arranged.

Echoing all around,

My favourite place in Clifton is the Dome.

The game is soon under way, As the ball rolls along the ground.

You can hear the shouts from the parents, And the responses to them too, The whistle is suddenly blown again, And the score is 4 to 2.

One team rejoices and the other sulks, As the hands are shaken and cheers called out,

Ollie S, Year 7 - Clifton College There’s just one spot in Clifton Under that towering tree A place that makes me happy A place I want to be.

Underneath the tree sits a bench As cowardly as can be It hides beneath the shadow Of that towering tree.

Around the giant are children Being as childish as can be Running, playing football Around that towering tree.

As I watch the football As happy as can be I look at the towering tree, This is the best place to be.

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Cameron L, Year 7 Whatley- My Favourite Place in Clifton College

Isabel P, Year 4 - Whatley

Whatley is my special place, my sports field and my den, On its green mossy grass, boys have played and grown to men.

It’s no bowling green or for a cricket team, but it has a certain charm.

To me it is more beautiful than a beach with Caribbean palm.

I like Whatley.

On a warm sunny day, my friends and I, We like to play our favourite game, ‘Oh Deer’.

‘Food? Water? Shelter? Space?’

Whoever is the ‘Deer’ must make a choice.

Tumbling weeds wrap around sturdy trunks of trees, Wild flowers are home to busy striped jumper wearing bees.

In this place is my leafy secret den- where you ask?

No chance will I let these details pass.

It’s a lot of fun and takes all break.

When we get tired, we will sit on the bench!

But for the forgotten game of football here, this is a special place, I have played with pain and glory and lost with good grace.

Launching headers, firing cannon shots, yes it’s a goal!

This is the part of Clifton College which will be forever in my soul.

Gaspar V, Year 5 - Whatley As you sit on Whatley You can see a tree You witness balls flying In the wind which is whistling Some people play games, like tag Whilst others chat or relax The bench around the tree Makes people want to read Even the library Is not as good as Whatley And Main School, some people like to go there But that’s not as good, either I like Whatley, it makes me happy Some of my friends prefer PP But Whatley is the place for me!

Amber M, Tanaya G, Poppy F-W, and Rhys R, Year 5 - Whatley What a tree so big and green Having stood there for A long long time There it stands so tall and proud Leaves shining in the sun Emeralds so precious to be touched You and I sit there at times watching the world go by

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Jemima J, Year 10 - Chapel Bells

India N, Year 10 - The Chapel

I stare up into the darkness To hear the chapel bells chiming.

Fifteen Minutes.

It is the sovereign of the college.

I would love to sit up on its shimmering emerald Crown looking down at everything, Watching the world go by in silence from afar.

The pitter-patter on the arched window reassures me As I am tucked up tightly in bed; Yet the rain thunders on.

Thirty Minutes.

Chris E, Year 10 - My Desk

Rhea C, Year 10 - The House

I’m alone here

When all the others are out at games

Kept away from the world outside

And you are sat in the study

Nobody can touch me in the little prison of mine

Alone

But it’s not a prison

Listening to music

It’s a home from home, where I am king

Finishing off your work

Of polished, wooden empires and armies of black ink

And the cold draught

I keep to myself

That is coming in from the windows

I pay no heed to those who come and go

Prickles your skin

Drowning out their noise with rhythmic screams and electronic roars

And the rattling sound from the water pipes

My sound The horizons are brought to me, brides in black veils dance for me The dead mau5 sings disclosed tales of rudimental sounds

The soothing silence is increasingly securing And the flowing thoughts surround my head, Swirl into infinity.

Forty Five Minutes.

The internet is my world

Shudders around the walls That is when it really does Feel like home.

I walk through galleries created by deviant minds And laugh at comedians trapped in subscription boxes My desk is my corner

The chapel bells chime And everybody falls into line As another day at Clifton begins.

Eight o’clock.

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Nothing else matters but me and my own thoughts I think here, live here, my home from home, my wooden kingdom.

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Harry T, Year 9 - My Special Place The frost disappears from the timid grass.

A fresh lick of paint smothers the damaged turf.

The clock ticks over, time is closing in.

As we line up, our hearts pumping, adrenaline racing.

A sense of togetherness is imminent.

Just before the whistle blows, we all think to ourselves about the challenge ahead.

Like a pack of lions planning their hunt.

A piercing whistle slices through the air signalling a new start.

CRASH! Contact is taken.

A dreary haze intoxicates the pitch as the tempers rage.

The first drop of blood dribbles onto the nurtured grass, Blood, sweat and tears all follow.

As the final whistle blows, the emotions grow, As we know our job is complete.

Thomas B, Year 9 - Table Tennis Bounce, bounce, SMACK! Did I miss, or did I score?

Bounce, smash, bounce Here it comes Bosh, bounce, FWACK! Jump for it, dive for it Bounce, clip… Bounce How did I get it?

Then silence…

A ringing church bell is heard in the distance Did I win?

Bish, bash, bosh It came back for more Bounce, hit, bounce High ball, it’s a high ball!

SMASH! I WON! The ball was dead A pancake on the floor And its sweet syrup was victory!

Gazelle M, Year 13 Percival Library June 16th 12:42pm The light is: Gentle rivulets of water Gliding over the dark wood ceiling My arm on the windowsill My sun spotted vision Never moving.

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Kitty M, Year 9 - Hidden Tree There’s a place in this school, A place so hidden, You can only find it if you’re looking for it.

Under a large tree, There are tears shed, Hearts broken here.

A scene you would only see in stories, Each year flowers blossom, And snow falls.

But yet this tree, Never changes, Never falters.

Ella K, Year 10 - The Library Window Surrounded by endless knowledge, Endless love, Endless enjoyment In the form of words on a page, The atmosphere envelops me, I am calm.

I fall into the warm embrace of the marshmallow chair, Time slips beneath me, I read, read, read, In the words I find such peace.

This is where I find the key to my soul, Another world, My own oblivion In my special corner, Perpetually hanging on the edge of forever.

I am growing old, The animals living in the tree are growing old But this tree never seems to break its beauty.

The grass around it is a luscious green, There are flowers of all kinds And the sound of the birds is like the sound of an angel’s voice.

I am lost and yet found here, My haven, my comfort, In a seat I find a world, For the library is a home, Maybe even mine.

This place of such beauty, Blooms wild in my heart.

Tallulah T, Year 10 - Mem Arch

The bay window stretches, The glass dull with age, I watch the people in their frantic world, But I am not a part of it here, Sheltered, Calm, For I am in the library.

The kindly shadows of The bridge of remembrance, Forgives the playful chatter Of the living Those youths are forever silent,

You may set out to find this tree, Buy you’ll find that it remains a mystery.

A place of such elegance is only made, To relieve people of their worries.

A place of such tenderness, Is only made for one person.

And though their names are stuck in stone, Their spirits long to laugh again.

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Barney P, Year 12 - Newbolt by Night Above the close you’ll see the moon tonight Caught in the freezing sunset, hoarse and bright Beneath the thick caress of whitened dusk, A hunter, slim with youth and beaver’s musk.

You’ll feel the suburbs stir tonight The sky above Beinn Ime is taut with light And as the shade begins to grip the sky You’ll hear the wilds’ call, the mountains high.

You’ll hear the breathing waves tonight The fledgling breezes put to flight Like phantom swallows circling through the dark The aching trees sing softly, green and stark

Jordan S, Year 10 - Certainty in Uncertainty of Spaces I must first confess, That I am a lover, Not of others, But of the sciences.

This means that, If I were to pick one place, Out of this school, It would have to be, The physics labs.

There I am not just to learn, But to exploit the scientific properties, Of Spacetime the universe determined yet not, By maths.

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