Celebrating Friendship

Posted at 11:30 am on 12th December, 2019

Year 7 Poetry Competition

Wellacre’s Year 7 students entered a North West schools’ poetry competition, creating poems to highlight the importance of friendship this festive period.

The initiative was open to primary school students and those in Year 7 secondary level. It is organised by Altrincham-based teaching school, The Alliance for Learning and is in its fifth year. 

In literacy lessons, Wellacre students were asked to explore what friendship means to them, and use these thoughts and feelings to inspire their poetry writing.  Students penned a wide selection of work and, of all the high standard of entries, three were selected to be put forward to represent the school in the competition.

The winning Wellacre poems, from Year 7 students, were “Someone Special” by Evan, “Who” by William and “Friends” by Tom.  These have been sent on to the Alliance for Learning competition organisers and the overall competition winners will win prizes including book vouchers worth £25, £15 and £10.

The Alliance for Learning competition judges include the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham; Simone Spray, Chief Executive of Manchester-based mental health charity, 42nd Street, alongside Simon Black, Chief Executive of Mental Health First Aid England, Professor Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive of The Chartered College of Teaching and Diane Modahl, MBE – Co-Founder & CEO Diane Modahl Foundation / Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “I’ve judged this competition before and each year participating schools raise awareness of an important topic. Schools sit at the heart of our communities and are perfectly placed to encourage young people to think about issues such as friendship and loneliness, and how these issues might affect their local communities and what they can do to have a positive impact. I cannot wait to see the entries – I’m expecting a very high standard as usual, and the challenge of judging to be tough as a result.”

Simone Spray, Chief Executive of 42nd Street Manchester, said: “Friendship is one of the most valuable relationships we have and it is crucial for good mental health and wellbeing. There are many ways of talking about friendship and feeling connected and supported. I can’t wait to read the entries and learn from the children and young people across Greater Manchester.”