On Tuesday evening, the English Department hosted a House Poetry Recitation Competition in the Main Hall. The event evoked the spirit of the formal recitation evenings that might once have taken place in the same space centuries ago, creating a fittingly atmospheric setting for an evening of spoken word.
Participants from all four Houses took part, delivering a rich and varied programme of poetry ranging from the humorous to the grandiose and the deeply moving. Students performed works by poets including Tennyson, Edward Lear, Shakespeare and Wilfred Owen, alongside several original compositions. In one particularly lovely moment, a student performed a poem written by their sibling, adding a personal and heartfelt dimension to the evening.
All participants were awarded 10 House points in recognition of their commitment and courage. Additional House points and book vouchers were awarded to the competition winners: one Gold award (25 House points and a £25 book voucher), two Silver awards (20 house points and £20 book vouchers), and two Bronze awards (15 House points and £15 book vouchers). The winners were announced during the assembly on Thursday and awards will be presented at the end of half term Celebration Assembly next week.
The Gold award was presented to Emma Williams (Year 7, Wright House) for her outstanding recitation of Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast by Charles Causley, delivered with exceptional narrative control, humour and professionalism. Silver awards went to Eleanor Drew (Year 9, Garrick House) for her impressively
commanding performance of The Lady of Shalott by Alfred Lord Tennyson, and Bobby Hodgens (Year 7, Garrick House) for a dramatic and confident recitation of The Kraken, also by Tennyson. The Bronze awards were both given for original poetry: Anthony Staal (Year 8, Twining House) for Anger Be Like…, inspired by the poetry studied in Year 8 earlier this term, and Ira Lahiri (Year 7, Twining House) for a powerful and expressive performance of A Clockwork Heart, written by Ira herself.
Overall, the greatest number of house points were awarded to Garrick (90) followed by Twining (80), Wright (65) and Halifax (60). Sincere thanks go to our judges, Lizzy Doyle, English teacher at HCH, and Hannah Yelland, HCH parent and stage and television actor, for their thoughtful and generous adjudication.
It was a wonderful evening that showcased not only a deep appreciation for poetry and performance, but also great courage, confidence and professionalism from every student who took part. Thank you to the English Department and the Senior Leadership Team for their support in ensuring the event ran so smoothly and successfully.
Alongside these standout moments, students brought to life works from some of literature’s greatest voices, including William Blake, William Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll, and Rudyard Kipling, showcasing both range and depth in their performances.
Well done and thank you to everyone involved. Every student spoke eloquently and beautifully, and together they created a truly wonderful evening that celebrated literature, creativity, and the joy of sharing words aloud.
