Year 10 Poetry Slam: A Stirring Showcase of Youth Voices

This year’s Year 10 Poetry Slam was a stage for bold, expressive, and heart-stirring voices that left everyone in the audience deeply moved. With each performance, students tackled hard-hitting themes with wisdom, creativity, and courage, proving that young voices can inspire crucial conversations and reflection. Our talented students took to the stage, each bringing unique perspectives and powerful words. Here are some of the standout performances that captivated the audience.

Opening the event with poise and passion, Saisha set a powerful tone with her poem about the toxic culture of shame and insecurity. In her compelling performance, she shed light on the societal pressures that often force individuals to hide their true selves. Saisha’s words served as both a critique of harmful social standards and a call to embrace authenticity, rejecting the burden of judgement. Her performance was a fitting and courageous opening that prepared the audience for the soul-baring honesty to come.

Another example was Tarishma, who captivated everyone with a haunting original song she wrote about child abuse. Her poignant lyrics and gentle yet powerful voice conveyed a deeply emotional message, reminding us all of the need to protect the vulnerable. Tarishma’s performance lingered in the room, echoing the innocence that is often unjustly taken away from children. Her song served as a call to stand up for those unable to protect themselves.

Equally thought-provoking was Emelia’s poem on fatherlessness and its impact on families and children. Emelia highlighted the struggles of children growing up without a father figure, questioning how the absence of a parent shapes young lives and relationships. Her words highlighted an issue that is often felt but rarely voiced. 

Allana brought a personal perspective to the stage with her lament on climate change’s effects on her homeland, Papua New Guinea. Allana’s words painted a vivid image of her beautiful home, threatened by rising sea levels and extreme weather. Through her powerful language, she reminded us of the lives directly impacted by global inaction, urging us all to consider our role in protecting vulnerable communities. Her performance was a heartfelt call for change.

Tamara’s piece, “One Day,” touched on a universally relatable theme: the elusive goal of opening up to our loved ones. With a reflective tone, Tamara explored the idea of putting off honest conversations, of telling ourselves, “One day, I’ll share how I feel.” Her poem was a bittersweet reminder of missed opportunities and unspoken words, encouraging everyone to act on their intentions before time slips away.

Driya took the stage to share a moving piece about the struggles of a teenager with mental health issues. With courage and vulnerability, she gave voice to the silent battles many young people face, articulating the confusion, isolation, and strength that accompany these struggles. Driya’s performance encouraged everyone to foster understanding and compassion for those fighting mental health challenges.

As the slam ended, there was a palpable energy in the room—a blend of hope, empathy, and urgency. All our young poets reminded us that poetry is not just an art form; it is a powerful tool for expression, healing, and change.