Poetry by Heart

Cardinal Newman student Martha Barrett has beaten off local competition to be crowned the regional champion in the ‘Poetry by Heart’ competition. Martha, who was judged to be the College winner by Principal Nick Burnham, will now be representing Lancashire in the National finals in London.

Poetry by Heart is a competition which aims to inspire young people from Year 10 – Year 13 in a competition that sees them learning and reciting poems by heart. The grand final this year will take place at The British Library in London on 22^nd and 23^rd April, where Martha will face competition from across the country with hopes of being crowned as the National champion.

The competition aims to encourage students to foster a deep personal connection with the poems chosen, as well as bring poetry alive for their friends, families and communities.

Each student is first challenged to memorise and recite two poems – one published before 1914 and one in or after 1914.  For the national finals Martha will be able to use the same two poems that she used for the regional finals or she could change her choices.

We wish her all the best in the forthcoming competition!