Pupils impress at MCS Poetry Recitation Grand Final 2026

The MCS Poetry Recitation Competition Grand Final was held today in Big School, bringing together participants from both the Junior and Senior Schools. 

With term drawing to a close, this much-anticipated annual event was an opportunity for the whole school community to gather and enjoy works by some of the most celebrated poets – from Shakespeare to Seamus Heaney to Sylvia Plath, as well as contemporary authors including Michael Rosen. Pupils representing each Senior School year group, along with two pupils from the Junior School, delivered their performances in Chapel before an audience of their peers and teachers – and had clearly practised hard to deliver their verses with clarity, character and emotional range. 

The finalists were:

Junior Second: Jerry – ‘Paper People’ by Harry Baker

Junior Third: Thomas – ‘The Car Trip’ by Michael Rosen

Second Form: Yunis – ‘It Couldn’t Be Done’ by Edgar Guest

Third Form: Jiarui – ‘The Vegetables Strike Back’ by Steve Turner

Lower Fourth: Andrey – ‘Richard III Opening Soliloquy’ by William Shakespeare

Upper Fourth: Gus – ‘Mid Term Break’ by Seamus Heaney

Fifth Form: Kuzey – ‘Prayer Before Birth’ by Louis MacNiece

Lower Sixth: Penny – ‘Purdah’ by Sylvia Plath

Upper Sixth: Adam – ‘For’ by Idris Scrase

Much debate and discussion followed to evaluate each of the performances before the winners were announced in this afternoon’s final assembly.  

Many congratulations to:

• 3rd Place: L4 Andrey
• 2nd Place: U4 Gus
• 1st Place: L6 Penny

Thank you again to all the pupils who took part for their confident, energetic, and engaging performances.