Triumphant Colchester High School – A Poem for National Poetry Day

Thank you to Ben in Year 9, our new Poet Laureate for 2021 – 22, for this poignant poem about the history of CHS that he penned for National Poetry Day 2021.

Triumphant Colchester High School

It all began in 1882, our great school was created,

Pinafored girls skipped down the corridor, tardy to their next lesson

Wooden lidded desks crash as lids are shut

Bellows of angry teachers echo down the great hallways

The scent of fresh ink fills the class whilst gossiping, giggling girls prepare

Suddenly, alert at attention, as Groany strides forth…

How fortunate are they at this ‘most desirable establishment for girls’?

60 years later and the horror of the second world war lays waste to the normal rhythms of school life

The playground shakes as the battle of Britain dog fights overhead

Boys run with Mickey- mouse gas masks, stampeding to the bunker beneath the saddened playground

Fears and hopes mingle as hugging children wish to survive and savour their lives from the reaper which is war.

2021 and the boy arrives late again as busses surge past

Laughter fills the corridors, resounding with the happiness of pupils supported in their endeavours

Girls and boys integrated in their hopes and aspirations for success

The pandemic didn’t stop them; laptops linking learning, teachers inspiring throughout

This great school, wisened with experience, remains triumphant through the ages.