VISIT FROM MARK GRIST

Monday morning got off to a riotous start when Mark Grist – poet, performer, teacher and you-tube sensation – shared a couple of his poems in assembly – especially reassuring to those members of staff quietly harbouring their dreams about…ties.

Y8 were fortunate then to be led by Mark through an inspiring workshop that challenged them to take risks and fly into metaphorical crash-mats to find the ‘sweet spot’ on the line of originality. And this was a key message throughout the sessions that applies not only to poetic endeavours, but anything artistic and creative at school and beyond. He then threw down the gauntlet to write ‘an advice poem’ and some of which will be performed next Thursday at The Evening of Poetry and Music.

The morning finished with a fascinating account of his journey from classroom to (fingers crossed) screen star – an inspiring story on its own – and why exactly he is pictured with boxing gloves on the front of his book.

It was definitely a fun and inspiring morning – and one that made poetry pretty cool.