This year, the Trust was very pleased to hold its first ever poetry competition!

All pupils were invited to write a poem on the theme of The Joy of Nature.

Pupils were asked to write a poem which reflected our Catholic Social Teaching and focused on the beauty & stewardship of God's world.

All of our winning and highly commended entries are displayed in full in the KCSP Poetry Anthology 2023, which is available to view here.

We are very pleased to announce this year's winners are as follows:

Category: EYFS - Nursery

Winner: The Nursery Class

School: St. Thomas’ Primary, Sevenoaks

Judges' comment: "A super poem with lots of sounds."

Category: EYFS 

Winner: Adaline

School: St Mary's Primary, Whitstable

Judges' comment: "The language flowed and it felt as though you we were walking through the garden. You created imaginative sounds, and it was beautifully written."

Category: KS1

Winner: Dexter

School: St Augustine's Primary, Hythe

Judges' comment: "The judges thought this was brilliant. Rhymes within each line – sometimes three! Wonderful crazy pictures of the crazy world and ending with girls and boys dancing. What else should you do to celebrate God’s creation?"

Category: Lower KS2

Winner: Elissa

School: St Peter's Primary, Sittingbourne

Judges' comment: "Elissa captured the beauty that each new day brings and the efforts we, as stewards of God's world, should take. The judges enjoyed the repeated phrases and use of powerful vocabulary to show the damaging impact global warming is having on the world that God created for us. Elissa makes the reader realise the significance of the climate crisis and consider how the world was given as a gift, that we are all responsible and accountable for."

Category: Upper KS2

Winner: Anjola

School: St Simon of England Primary, Ashford

Judges' comment: "The judges liked the clever play on words and the topical nature of the poem balanced with it simplicity. They liked the idea of being brought back to the island."

Category: KS3

Winner: Honey

School: St Edmund's Secondary, Dover

Judges' comment: "The judges loved the way this poem truly expressed the joy of nature."

Category: KS4

Winner: Liam

School: St Anselm's Secondary, Canterbury

Judges' comment: "The judges thought the poem had a clear, raw message to it. Despite this, Liam managed to veer away from anger and focus on delivering a warning message about the green façade that profit-focused companies present, with some strong and well-chosen language. Judges felt this was very current and was a provoking reminder that we can all do something to protect the earth."

and now for our highly commended entries.....

Category: EYFS

Phoebe

School: Stella Maris Primary, Folkestone

Judges' comment: "You started with the sun and got back to it, but we paddled down to the sea and looked at the water and boats on the way. Great poem! The judges also liked the use of language and the visual effect that was created."

Nuala

School: St Teresa's Primary, Ashford

Judges' comment: "The judges liked how you took us through the year with your different pictures showing awareness of changes in nature."

Category: Lower KS2

Anaiya Rose

School: St Joseph's Primary, Northfleet

Judges' comment: "The judges liked the sequence of writing and the links to stewardship."

Category: Upper KS2

Caleb

School: St Joseph's Primary, Aylesham

Judges' comment: "The judges thought this was a clever poem which brought in learning from history on WW2 and combined this with the theme of nature. This was a very clever poem."

Category: KS4

Amy

School: St Edmund's Secondary, Dover

Judges' comment: "Judges felt this had a very gentle feel to it, very appropriate for the title. The imagery was calming and allowed the reader to float away in their head for a few minutes, reminding them of those halcyon summer days of long summer childhood holidays."

Thank you to all of our schools that entered this year's competition, the quality of writing was really impressive.

And to all of our brilliant pupils, - thank you for the time and effort that you put into your entry, we really hope you feel proud of the inspiring work you have created!