This July, a group of MGC students had the privilege of attending a session with poet Joanna Preston at the Marlborough Book Festival.

Joanna is an award-winning Canterbury poet whose second collection, tumble, won the Mary and Peter Biggs Award at the 2022 Ockham Book Awards. Joanna is also an editor who has edited or co-edited seven poetry anthologies, and served as poetry editor for takahē magazine.

Students participated in a hands-on workshop where Joanna took them through her writing process. They were able to have a go themselves at writing poetry using some interesting writing exercises. The words 'Leave' and 'Climb' prompted some fabulous creative responses! Overall the students had a wonderful time and I'm sure will be eager to return next year for some more inspirational sessions from our fabulously talented New Zealand writers.