Snaps and hums filled the air cut by wisdom and masterful word choices. TGC celebrated their second annual poetry slam in honour of World Poetry Day last week, and our ears and eyes were treated to some incredible upcoming talented poets.

 The Arts Prefect team created a stunning display combining newspaper flowers and fairy lights, yet however stunning the backdrop, the poets still took all the focus. The lights went off and the powerful, moody atmosphere took over. Topics ranged from climate change to personality to Russian space dogs, and big ideas outshone the small forum.

Kyla Chen, Year 12, was awarded third place for her poem which tackled deep themes through breathtaking and visceral language. Some favourite quotes included ‘A trail of roses down my leg, rope burns around my neck from when he strangled me’ and ‘He thinks because I am a girl I fear him, I do not.’ Kyla’s commanding presence had the audience speechless, and she no doubt has a bright future ahead.

Aiza Mustasam, Year 11, came away with second place. Her piece grappled with beautiful yet haunting notions of generational feminist struggles throughout her lineage. She made the audience feel like they were right there with her, a quiet firm hand on our shoulders guiding us through our own struggles. Aiza had this to say about her poem:

“I’ve always felt that brown women have not been represented very well, and our struggles are often really overlooked. So writing a poem about that was very meaningful to me. It’s about me and it’s about the women who inspire me every day.”

Taking first place and best impact with a stunning ode to Laika, the Russian space dog, was Aya Burke from Year 13. Aya’s work was structurally bound with persistent calls from ground control creating a sense of urgency in the countdown to Laika’s inevitable death, demonstrating clearly refined and experienced writing. Aya’s presentation skills took the performance leaps and bounds over expectations, with the audience on the edge of their seats, spellbound. Overall a very well-deserved champion and stunning poet.

The event was enjoyed by all audience members, with several students commenting:

“Second to last was my personal favourite - they are about brown women’s rights - I related to it”

• Prabh Prabhjot

“I think the second to last one was my favourite too. I agree with Prabh”

• Ayla Martin

“My favourite was the last one. It was clean and clear.”

• Sadie Carter

This year, the top three poets were awarded house points, and the house spirit added another level to the atmosphere. While the judges deliberated, Mansfield house captains Mandy Hewet and Meghan Hughes got on stage and hosted an impromptu quiz show to the amusement of the crowd.