Calling young poets: our Student Poetry Competition is now open

Do you have a budding young poet in the family? We're inviting them to enter our 2022 Student Poetry Competition.

ISV’s Student Poetry Competition 2022 is now open for entries. We are inviting young people from across Victoria to express themselves in our annual celebration of poetic creativity.

And this year, we have added a new category: Performance Poetry. Students can make a video of themselves speaking or performing their words, bringing energy and conviction to their work. Think of Amanda Gorman’s inspirational recitation of her poem The Hill We Climb at the Presidential inauguration last year.

You can choose your own theme or explore our optional theme of ‘Belonging’. Our themes of ‘Hope’ in 2020, and ‘Joy’ in 2021, fitted the times. And in a turbulent world, we feel that ‘Belonging’ is more important than ever. It touches on the deep need within us to be part of something bigger, shaping our relationships with others, and who we are.

As Emily Dickinson wrote, ‘I imagine, therefore I belong and am free.’

You can find out more about our theme in this supporting article for educators, parents and aspiring poets by ISV’s Diane Bourke.

The competition is presented by Independent Schools Victoria (ISV), as part of its Arts Learning Festival program. It’s open to all Victorian primary and secondary students, regardless of school.

Prizes will be awarded to winners by a panel of expert judges and winning poems will be published online. Separate prizes will be awarded in each age category for written poems and performed poems.

Results will be announced early in Term 3 and the decision of the judges is final.

Find out more and how to enter
sign up for our newsletter