Seamus Heaney Awards – Post Primary Award Winner – Dunclug College – Ballymena – Teacher – Kerry Barrett – Poet – Angeline King

How did your school get involved in the Community Arts Partnership’s Seamus Heaney Award/Poetry in Motion Project?

I had seen an advertisement on social media for the PIMS project and decided to apply on behalf of my wonderful Year 12 class. The process was simple and we were delighted to be selected as a part of PIM

How was your experience with the project?

We had a wonderful experience with the project. Angeline King was our assigned poet facilitator and she was warm, enthusiastic and evidently had a love of poetry that inspired my students during the workshops that she delivered. She brought original ideas of how to create poetry and was so encouraging.

How do you feel the students responded to the project?

The students really embraced the project, as it was something creative outside of the curriculum for them to do. They liked exploring their creative talents and they produced many excellent poems. I was asked many times if I’d heard who might have been published, so there was a real buzz and excitement over the publication as well as the chance to potentially win an individual or school award.

How did you and the students feel about winning an award for their work in the project?

We honestly had no expectation of winning, we simply enjoyed the process and loved taking part. There was hope, of course, so it was an added bonus and a real privilege to win The Seamus Heaney Award for Achievement 2024 (Post-Primary). When we watched the recorded readings and then the announcements by Shelley, there was a collective, audible gasp from the class, followed by applause and cheers. As it was our first year doing the project, I was surprised yet absolutely delighted to have won. We will certainly be applying in the future.

Do you feel there was a benefit for the students through this Community Arts Partnership project?

PIMS was so beneficial for my students. They love creative work and to be able to shape and construct their own poetry for their own and others’ enjoyment was not only fun for them, but also a way to boost their confidence and self-belief. It encouraged risk-taking and team work too, and it challenged them to self-evaluate and see the value in editing and improving their work. I am very proud of their poems and so are they. I imagine it’s an experience they’ll remember from their time at Dunclug College.

Many thanks to the Community Arts Partnership and Angeline King for their time and effort and for the incredible privilege of the schools award.

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