Winner of the Seamus Heaney Award for Achievement, Individual Award, Primary School – Simon Struharnansky

Simon Struharnansky, from Harding Memorial Integrated Primary School, was the winner this year with his poem, The Forest.

Simon explains how he came to write his poem:

“In class we were thinking about our topic – Flight – and thinking about the world, animals and nature. so I got to thinking a lot about humans destroying the earth, using up its resources and endangering the animals and their habitats. From these thoughts I was able to form my ideas and came up with my poem – The Forest.

“I was really surprised when I won. I was watching the video at the end of the programme with my class, and it came to the part that they said my name, and I was shocked. Everyone in my class cheered and clapped me. The P7 teacher came running in to see what the screaming was about!

Through Poetry in Motion, I have learned a lot about poetry and how anyone can write poetry. It doesn’t even have to rhyme! I never believed from the start of this that I would actually be chosen.”

Simon’s class teacher, Mrs Kelly, comments:

‘I feel from doing Poetry in Motion I have gained more confidence in teaching the subject, knowing the language and it has been a delight to see imagination and creativity flowing from my class. The children took it all in their stride and produced amazing poetry without any help. I am delighted for them and cannot wait to see their reaction when they see their published poems. Obviously, we were extremely proud to not only be Highly Commended for our pieces but also to win a very special individual award when there were so many schools taking part.

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