We are thrilled to announce that Ella Paterson’s poem: Some of all the parts has been selected as one of the nine finalists in the 2021 National Schools Poetry Award.

The shortlist of one winner and nine finalists was chosen by Wellington poet Tayi Tibble from over 200 entries nationwide.

Ella’s poem explored what it means to be a young person navigating events such as: the Two Mosques shootings, the Whakaari eruption and the Dawn Raids Apology made by Jacinda Ardern this month. The poem was raw, emotive and deeply apologetic.

Her writing was inspired by New Zealand poet David Eggleton, whose poem Two Mosques, was studied as part of her English programme.

Ella has been awarded:
- $100 cash
- An invitation to attend a poetry masterclass at the International Institute of Modern Letters in Wellington
- A year’s membership of Read NZ Te Pou Muramura
- A year’s subscription to “Sport”, one of New Zealand’s leading literary journals
- The Exercise Book, by Bill Manhire, donated by the Victoria University Press

This is the first time Tauranga Girls’ College has had a finalist, and we are very proud of Ella and her poem. 

Congratulations Ella.