Poetic promise shines in Lord Provost's Poetry Prize

Published: 24 April 2018

A schoolgirl from Bankhead Primary lifted the trophy at the Lord Provost's Poetry Prize-giving on the theme 'Looking Forward - Looking Back'.
Oliwia Szymkiewicz (12) won the overall prize for her work 'When I Think'.

She was presented with her award at the City Chambers by Lord Provost Eva Bolander and the city's Poet Laureate, Jim Carruth, who formed part of the judging panel.

Every year the Lord Provost invites P7 pupils to submit poems on a particular theme for her Poetry Prize competition.

Today's event was a double win for Bankhead Primary. Fellow pupil Abigail Fraser (11) was among four runners up with her poem 'I Wonder'.

The Lord Provost said: "It was not easy choosing an outright winner. The standard of work has been excellent and we're delighted to have had the privilege of reading all the entries. The maturity of the writing is a credit to the prize winners and their schools.

"My thanks to all the pupils and teachers for their hard work and my congratulations to our talented winner Oliwia and all the runners up for their inspiring and thorugh provoking words."

Jim Carruth, who recently penned the poem 'The May Queen and the Wassail' to mark the opening of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Exhibition at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum said: "I'm sure everyone will agree, they're great poems. We were really struck by the positivity of the entries. I hope everyone continues writing and reading."

The other runners up are:
Ines Roan-Reid, Scotstoun Primary with 'Looking Forward, Looking Back'.
Fatima Ahmad, Mosspark Primary with 'From Memories to Goals'.
Nicole Sutherland, Glasgow Gaelic School with 'The Difference Between my Future and Past'.

You can read the poetry here Poetry Brochure (PDF) [517KB] (opens new window)