PGS Leonardo Competition One of the pleasures for the English Department each year is the chance to celebrate the creative output of PGS pupils, and the Leonardo Poetry competition is the final and largest occasion in the school year. The theme this year was ‘By The Sea’, and was jointly interpreted by the English and Art departments, the latter working with Year Nine pupils who produced a stunning series of colourful fish-shaped plates which were displayed to great interest on the evening of the reading by poetry finalists. The Memorial Library was once again the perfect setting for the evening, and the large and enthusiastic audience was treated to a wonderful range of poems from 24 pupils drawn from Years 7 to 10. As in the case of last year, Mr Richardson and Mrs Bell, accompanied by Miss Meadows whose idea it first was, in reading poems of their own as a warm up for the main event, the pupils’ poems themselves. The range of poems and styles was impressive, with many considering the nature of the sea and others looking at the lives of those who live by and on it. At the end, it was adjudged that Maddy de Vere from Year 10 should be awarded the Leonardo Poetry Cup, first awarded in 1958, and she was a worthy winner indeed. Thanks must go to all the pupils who entered (over 400 poems were submitted this year), to the staff of the English department and, in particular, to Mr Richardson, who judged and hosted the event. Laura Burden
Leonardo 2013 Awards Y7 Awards Daniel Hill Sam Harris Abby Coghlan Runners-up Antonia Phillips Emily Whitehead Winner Max Lancaster Y8 Awards Jemma Holden Emma Priory Lydia Buckeridge Runners-up George Wilcockson Mia Ashton Winner Katie Green Y9 Awards George Sidnell James Cracknell Chloe Shaw Runners-up Freddie Rademacher Gemma Webb Winner James Beattie Y10 Awards Matthew Seabourne Kelvin Shiu Catriona Ellis Runners-up Emily Tandy Ciara Dossett Winner and Leonardo Poetry Cup Maddy de Vere
‘The range of poems and styles was impressive, with many considering the nature of the e sea and others looking at the lives of those who live by and on it.’ 66
On the verge, where no-one goes Abby Coghlan, 7V The rotting trees creep right up to the shore, On the verge, where no-one goes. The acidic water surges to devour the coarse sand, Slowly nibbling his way toward the dank forest. On the verge where no-one goes A sharp sunless blanket hangs over the forest On the verge where no-one goes. The contumacious seagulls demolish the suffocating fish The ghostly waves drag the crabs to their makers On the verge where no-one goes. The grey sand sinks and decays the wildlife On the verge where no-one goes. A beat plays in the distance, Chanting, louder, LOUDER On the verge where no-one goes.
Pevensey Beach James Beattie, 9U As waves broke against the bow of the boat, As I stared into the sea’s mists, The wooden planks groaned and the oars splashed Only fuelling my anticipation. My heart raced as I drew my sword Admiring the finely-honed blade. I knew the mist would soon turn red As we approached the shores of Pevensey Beach. The beach soon slipped into the surly white curls As the dunes of sand slowly revealed themselves. The tranquil waves lapped against the sides of the boats Disturbed only by our oars as we slid onto the sand. And at that moment the sounds of thousands of boots Upon sand flooded the air around me And we left the safety of our boats As our eyes scanned the dunes of Pevensey Beach. The crash of the waves and of our metal armour plates Was the only sound that greeted us then. No cry of the Saxons to start a blood fuelled rampage On this tranquil yet hostile land. Then a tidal wave of our men charged up the dunes But were met with no reply For there were none of Great Harold’s army To defend the conquered Pevensey Beach. And slowly the wispy curls disappeared Along with the boats and soldiers. No noise apart from the waves bombarded my ears. Nor the colliding of armoured steel plates. My mind’s imagination switched off the fantasy Of being a Norman foot soldier invading Britain As I sat on the sand of Pevensey Beach.
Deep Depths Katie Green, 8U Dark waves crashed mercilessly Against the jagged rocks below. The almost inky black colour the only Clue as to the fathomless depth below. I had to jump. I had to jump. I would jump. I WAS going to jump. I had to jump. She asked me if I could hear the music. I could hear it, Slow like a lullaby Over and over in my head. I should jump? I shook my head, Snapping myself out of the trance. They mustn’t have it. They would never have it. I had to jump. The woman held out her hands to me, Inviting me. But I could see the cruelty, The evil in her eyes. I had to jump. I looked down at the precious little bundle in my arms. So small, so unsuspecting, Giving no clue as to the power it held as it Snuggled closer into my arms against the biting wind. I had to jump. My babe. My poor, poor babe. Unashamed, tears streaked down my cheeks, For the life it would never know. I had to jump. Drawing all my courage around me like a cloak, I glared at the woman, who had haunted my dreams for years, And knew that here, it would all end. And then I was gone, flying through the air down to the freezing depths below. I had jumped. Flying, Falling, Tumbling. Down, down until I broke the surface of the water, And it drew me into a loving embrace as my vision blacked out. I had jumped, and that set me free. My eyes snapped open, alert. I was on my feet in an instant, Ready to defend the fragile life in my arms. Around me was grey sky and black beach, But I just saw hope. I had jumped to set myself and my child free, And now the nightmare was over, And a new dawn arrived. I had now jumped and now, at last, I was released.
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