A team from Ramsey Grammar School scooped the overall winners’ spot in this year’s One World Poetry Slam, held at Ballakermeen Studio Theatre. Their poem, entitled Life for a Girl, explored the lack of access to education and the unequal rights endured by women in some parts of the world, and appealed for change.

Lola Gawne, Orla Goddard and Daisy Goodby formed one of 12 teams that made it through to the Poetry Slam finals following a series of intra-school events.

They were commended in particular for their passionate performance and polished delivery.

Teams from Castle Rushen took second and third place with poems entitled Is This The World You Want? and P.E.P. Talk, both about climate change.

The One World Poetry Slam is an annual event organised by the One World Centre and supported by the island’s secondary schools. Teams of Year 7 students (ages 11 and 12)were challenged to write a poem on the topic Making a Difference, taken from a global perspective.

The judging panel consisted of poets and educationalists including Dr Jennifer Kewley-Draskau, Karen Riordan, the One World Centre’s Sarah Comish and Janet Lees who also gave a reading of some of her own works.

Judging criteria included the interpretation of content and theme, the imaginative use of words and expressive verse, rhythm and imager, memorisation and overall delivery.

All the teams were praised by the judges for their careful crafting of their poems - and for their bravery in standing up in front of an audience and performing without notes.

Speaking after the event, One World Poetry Slam co-ordinator Phil Matthews said the competition continues to evolve each year and helps students not only to express themselves but to start to grapple with some of the world’s bigger problems.

’Students are encouraged to use the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a starting point in their research and to consider projects, individuals and communities that have changed people’s lives and/or the environment for the better.

’ Generally, students are quite good at visualising what life is like for others less fortunate than ourselves and the competition encourages them to start taking an extra step and think about how we can help bring about positive change for everyone.’

The Poetry Slam is one of the One World Centre activities funded by the government’s Development Education and Awareness Raising grant.

by Julie Blackburn

Twitter:@iomnewspapers