Lockerby Composite School pilots innovative Poetry Recitation Contest

Lockerby Composite School is among 12 schools in Ontario piloting an innovative Poetry Recitation Contest being presented by the Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry. Chairman Scott Griffin established the Trust in April 2000 along with Trustees Margaret Atwood, Carolyn Forché, Robert Hass, Michael Ondaatje, Robin Robertson and David Young.

Poetry In Voice/Les voix de la poésie is a national bilingual poetry recitation contest combining the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word and theatre with the study of great literature in the high school classroom. A total of $10,000 in awards and school stipends will be presented in 2011.

“Lockerby Composite School is the only English-language school in Northern Ontario participating in this pilot project,” said Principal Heather Gaffney. “The winner of our in-school competition, which will showcase poetry in English and in French, will move on to the finals at Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto on April 12, 2011.”

The Lockerby competition will take place on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm in the balcony of the school amphitheatre. The panel of judges will include Roger Nash, poet laureate for the City of Greater Sudbury; Adèle Presello and Claire MacKay, retired languages teachers from Rainbow District School Board; and Nicole Czaja, Rainbow District School Board French as a Second Language Program Consultant. Event organizer Gary McKinny, a teacher at Lockerby Composite School, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Poetry In Voice/Les voix de la poésie is expected to expand in 2012 to include all of Ontario and Québec, and branch out to schools across the country in 2013.

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Media Contact:

Heather Gaffney, Principal, Lockerby Composite School,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-522-1750.