King’s Hawthornes were thrilled to welcome King’s Liverpool, King’s Bolton, and King’s Warrington back for the annual cross-Trust Poetry Picnic. It was fantastic to also see King’s Lander join the event for the first time. The day brought together 38 Year 7 students and 10 primary pupils for a vibrant event filled with creativity, camaraderie and poetic expression.
The event was attended by award-winning poet and lyricist Terry Caffrey, who opened the day with an inspiring performance and an engaging Q&A session. Students had the chance to gain insight into his thought process and experiences as a writer, setting the tone for a day focused on expression, confidence and connection.
Following Terry’s insights, it was time for the students to take to the floor! There were many highlights throughout the day as students shared their own original poetry, capturing the attention of the audience with heartfelt, thoughtful and often brave performances. Many stepped out of their comfort zones to deliver powerful and memorable pieces, making the task of selecting finalists a challenging one for Terry.
After much deliberation, five finalists were chosen, with Gabby from King’s Warrington being awarded the ‘Poetry Picnic Star Performer Award’ for her moving poem exploring the topic of conflict. Olivia from King’s Hawthornes came a close second with her poem ‘It doesn’t hurt to be kind’. The girls certainly embodied the mantra ‘one Trust, one family’ as they high-fived and embraced each other celebrating their achievements. Finally, after much deliberation, it was King’s Hawthornes who emerged as the overall 2025 Poetry Picnic champions.
King’s Hawthornes English Lead Rachel Boardman, who played a key role in organising the event, stated: “The Poetry Picnic is always a highlight of the Trust calendar, bringing together students and staff to celebrate the power of words and the joy of creative expression. Thank you to all the staff who supported our students along the way. Your encouragement, kindness and generosity of time via the hours you spent helping them practice is instrumental in making events like this a success.