Poetry has a unique way of opening our eyes to the beauty and complexity of the world around us; it invites us to slow down, observe and listen intently, and find wonder in everyday moments—especially in nature. Sharing my poetic inspiration with students is always a joy, igniting creativity, curiosity and a deeper connection to the environment we all share.
I had a wonderful time presenting an assembly for Year 5 students titled “Whispers of the Rainforest: Discovering the Magic of Poetry.” The energy, enthusiasm, participation and curiosity in the room were inspiring. I then returned as a guest judge for their poetry celebration, where I was delighted to see the fantastic performance poems the students created. A big thank you to the Year 5 leaders for inviting me—it was a real pleasure to be part of their learning journey.
The assembly launched their cross-curricular study of the rainforest, during which I performed some of my own nature-themed poems written especially for children. I also shared insights into the creative process behind these works. Together, we explored a variety of poetic forms—from acrostics, haiga, haiku, ode and shape poems to ekphrastic poetry—discovering how words can deepen our connection to the natural world and raise awareness about vital environmental issues.
You can read more about this experience in the Patana News article.
