Find Your Voice: JSV’s International Poetry Slam

On Monday 13 June, Junior School Vlaskamp (JSV) hosted its first-ever International Poetry Slam. It was a celebration of diverse voices from around the world, the power of the ‘spoken word’ and a chance to come together to enjoy one of the world’s oldest forms of communication (did you know that the earliest forms of poetry were sung or performed and actually predate written language?).  

Poetry and Performance for Everyone!

Over the day, students from every Year Group performed poems and songs they’ve been practising in their classes and as whole Year Groups. The classes learnt poems from around the world, ranging from Australia and South Africa to North America and Japan. Songs from Gambia, India and Canada filled the hall!

Not only did this showcase the incredible outcome of working collaboratively, but it was also a chance to support one another and recognise the efforts of classmates.  

Inspiration from Young, Local Poets 

One of the day’s highlights was having Duraa Boahene, a singer-songwriter from Utrecht, join the celebration and perform her work. Her soulful musical pieces, sung in both Dutch and English, take inspiration from artists like Indie Arie and Spinvis and are influenced by ‘spoken word’. She even wrote and performed a song, especially for the occasion, about the importance of learning from one another and honouring diverse perspectives and experiences.

Due to tonsilitis, Amara van der Elst, the second young poet, could not attend the event, though the school will look forward to welcoming her on another occasion.  

Choral Poetry and Oracy

Oracy is a valued element of the curriculum across The British School in The Netherlands campuses. This was a moment to recognise what confident performers the students have become, even down to the youngest children in Foundation 1. Students took pride in their performances and were excited to share what they had learnt!

One JSV parent shared,

“I was blown away to hear my children prepare for the Poetry Slam. They had so much fun reciting their poems to one another without even realising the depth of what they had learnt!

“They were introduced to high-quality poetry, learned new vocabulary and considered perspectives from around the world. Amazing!” 

Coming Together as a School  

The buzz in the school before, during and after the event was fantastic! After the last two years, when events like this haven’t been possible, the chance to come together in this way made it even more meaningful.

Hearty congratulations to all the students and the staff who supported them ahead of the Poetry Slam.  

“It’s days like the Poetry Slam that you remember fondly from school long after you've left. Both of my children came home excited to talk about the day!”

- JSV Parent