Grace Cutler, from Normandy Primary School, celebrated winning the 3rd Annual Poetry Competition for Primary Schools, run by Bexleyheath Academy on the topic of ‘Homes’. Her poem was entitled ‘Child in Care’ and it explored what it was like for a child to move from family to family and the emotions that the child felt in each varied household.

Grace’s poem touched the hearts of all the judges, with the depth of her poetry, and there was many a tear in the audience listening to Grace reading out her poem. Victoria Egbedi, also from Normandy Primary School, narrowly missed out and was a runner up in the top ten children, with her poem entitled, ‘Home is My Everything’.

Mrs Whittington, Head of School at Normandy Primary School, reported how proud she was seeing both girls in the Awards Ceremony. “The children at Normandy Primary School work really hard and to see their achievements recognised in such a public competition makes all the staff at Normandy and I very proud.”

The Award Ceremony was attended by families of the finalists, teachers and Heads from the relevant schools, The Mayor of Bexley and special guest, Chris Riddell; Chris is the current Children's Laureate and also a well-known author and illustrator. Both Victoria and Grace represented Normandy Primary School brilliantly, reading out their poems slowly and clearly in front of the whole audience.

Both were presented with a copy of one of Chris' own books, a certificate and a personalised line drawing from Chris, which he drew live (projected up onto a screen) whilst the children read out their poetry. Grace also won a trophy and voucher as first prize.

Based on information supplied by Claire Whittington.