We were delighted to hear that Yara AF has won first place in GDST Laurie Magnus Poetry Prize 2023 for Years 7-9. The Laurie Magnus Poetry Prize was established in memory of Laurie Magnus by his widow.  Laurie Magnus was a GDST Council member from 1907, and Chairman from 1929 until his death in 1933.

For the GDST national competition, poems could be written on any topic and Yara’s poem was submitted to the competition as NHEHS’ KS3 winner. The poems were judged by Newcastle High School for Girls alumna, Sophia Blackwell.  A performance poet, published poet and novelist, Sophia Blackwell’s most recent book, The Poetry Writers’ Handbook, was published by Bloomsbury in Autumn 2022. She has performed at Glastonbury, Women of the World (WOW) Festival and headlined a national tour with Hammer and Tongue. Sophia is also a radio arts journalist, freelance editor, former Chair of Poetry London, and has taught workshops and lectured across the UK, most recently for Falmouth University. Her spoken word piece ‘The Beau Monde’ is being played as part of the Crown to Couture exhibition at Kensington Palace until October 2023.

The judge added that she had been “delighted and inspired by the quality of this year’s entries” and choosing the winners and highly commended entries was even more of a challenge than she had anticipated. She also praised the young poets’ work for their sense of wonder and their awareness of the great importance of preserving our world, as well as questioning and celebrating what makes it a worthwhile place to live.

You can read Yara’s winning poem History is Written by the Victors here.