Each year, Year 9 students at Bolton School Girls’ Division participate in the English Department ‘banner competition’, a long-standing tradition that combines teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking. This year, students worked in teams assigned during their Duke of Edinburgh walking groups, reinforcing the importance of collaboration both inside and outside the classroom.
The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Protest Poetry’, a concept that invited students to explore identity through both artistic and literary lenses. Drawing on their study of I Know why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiography that delves into themes of freedom and oppression, students applied their analytical skills to create banners that reflected the complexities of protest and self-expression. This allowed them to engage with the theme in a more creative way, extending the analytical work they’ve developed throughout the year.
By working collaboratively, they were able to fuse their individual ideas into powerful designs that explored the theme of protest in relation to personal and collective identity. The results were impressive, demonstrating not only the students’ creativity but also their deep understanding of the themes they had been studying.
The competition highlighted the creative habits we nurture in the Girls’ Division: persistent, collaborative, inquisitive, imaginative, and disciplined. Students displayed persistence in refining their ideas, overcoming challenges, and working together to bring their visions to life. Their collaborative efforts resulted in designs that were cohesive and reflected their collective perspectives. Through their inquisitiveness, they delved into the deeper meanings of protest and identity, and used their imagination to represent these themes visually. The discipline they demonstrated in executing their designs ensured that each banner was of the highest standard.
The final designs, which will be displayed along the English corridor, are a testament to the students’ hard work and creativity.
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