Pupils from Forms 2-6 presented a variety of poems at this year’s Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts.
The Festival, in its 11th year, hosted the Verse Speaking rounds at the Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley, with several schools in the area taking part.
Seventeen pupils from Ghyll Royd stood on the podium to recite their poems throughout the day in front of three adjudicators who marked their performances.
Mrs Hughes, Ghyll Royd’s Specialist Drama teacher and Mr Martin were on hand throughout the day supporting the pupils, alongside some very proud parents.
Form 2
Georgie in Form 2 was awarded 1st place in the Year 2 Verse Speaking category. Georgie, the only Form 2 pupil from Ghyll Royd in the competition, received a book and certificate for winning. She couldn’t believe it when they called out her name as the winner, and she took to the stage once more to be presented with her prizes and a medal.
Form 3
Form 3 went next with Quentin, Isla and Susannah representing Ghyll Royd. They all showed great enthusiasm and clear presentation of their poems, and Isla was awarded 2nd place for her rendition of ‘A Spike of Green’ by Barbara Baker!
In the judge’s comments, they said Isla ‘shared this poem with an expression of wonder facially and vocally’ and awarded her a Distinction.
Form 4
Form 4 had seven participants this year, each trying their hardest to impress the judging panel. Juliet, Phoebe C, Jemima, William, Bryony, George and Phoebe R were very excited and practiced their poems in the minibus on the way to the Festival. The children performed one of the three selected poems each:
‘On the Ning Nang Nong’ by Spike Milligan
‘A Good Play’ by Robert Louis Stevenson
‘Nut Tree’ by Julia Donaldson
Their hard work paid off and their enthusiasm shone through as Ghyll Royd won all three top prizes for this round.
William came in 3rd, Jemima came in 2nd and Phoebe R came first! Fantastic news.
Form 5
In the afternoon, five pupils from Form 5 competed in the Verse Speaking round. Evie, Ava, Daniel, Tom and Nicholas. They performed one poem each from the panel’s selection:
‘Where do All the Teachers Go?’ by Peter Dixon
‘Silver’ by Walter de la Mare
‘Children with Adults’ by John Hegley.
All five pupils received fantastic scores in their adjudication, receiving either a merit or credit for their performances.
Form 6
In the Craiglands Hotel Conservatory was the Form 6 Verse Speaking round, with Crispin in Form 6 as Ghyll Royd’s only entrant. He performed the poem ‘I Know Someone’ by Michael Rosen.
The day was a success with all pupils performing at their best and delivering such fantastic gusto in their speech.
Mrs Hughes said: “I was bursting with pride as everyone did their absolute best yesterday, and although it’s lovely to celebrate with the winners, and Ghyll Royd certainly brought back plenty of 1st 2nd & 3rd places, it’s about having the confidence to stand up and recite some pretty tricky poetry and every single child was top of the class in my books.”
“Roll on next year, I’d like to take the whole school!”
Well done to everyone who took part!
Conveniently situated on the A65 between Ben Rhydding, Ilkley and Burley in Wharfedale, Ghyll Royd School, Pre-School and Nursery is ideally located for families living in or commuting to the surrounding cities, towns and villages of Ben Rhydding, Ilkley, Burley in Wharfedale, Addingham, Menston, Guiseley, Baildon, Bingley, Otley, Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate, Skipton and Keighley.
