Words came to life at St. Michael’s as our annual Off By Heart Poetry Festival filled the school with rhythm, rhyme and wonderful performances! This much loved event brings our school community together to celebrate poetry, creativity and the joy of sharing stories. Each class learns a narrative poem by heart before performing it for the school. From lively characters to dramatic storytelling, the children bring their poems to life through expression, movement and teamwork. It is always a delight to see their enthusiasm, creativity and growing confidence as they take to the stage.

Learning poetry by heart offers children so much more than the chance to perform. It helps develop memory, concentration, vocabulary and a deeper understanding of language. Through rhyme, rhythm and storytelling, children explore how words can create images, express feelings and capture an audience. Performing together also builds confidence, speaking and listening skills, and a strong sense of teamwork. Every child has an important part to play, and every performance is an opportunity to shine. Just as importantly, the festival encourages children to discover the pleasure of poetry and develop a lasting love of language and literature.

At St. Michael’s, we believe learning should be joyful, creative and full of opportunities for children to challenge themselves. Our Off By Heart Poetry Festival is a wonderful example of this in action. From the excitement of rehearsals to the pride of performing for friends, the children show courage, determination and a real sense of achievement. We are incredibly proud of every class for their hard work and memorable performances. What a wonderful celebration of learning, confidence and community, and another example of growing, working and learning together!