'Teddy’s Life Journey' delights and inspires young poets at Dunedin Rudolf Steiner School

In May this year, City of Literature South D Poet Lorikeet, Jenny Powell, visited Dunedin Rudolf Steiner School’s Class Kererū (Years 7 and 8) and their teacher, Trisha Geraets, to lead two poetry-writing sessions.

These hands-on workshops featured Jenny's well-loved, slightly threadbare companion, Teddy, as a co-host and charming source of inspiration.

Jenny’s warm and engaging approach drew out students’ creativity and sparked their imaginations. Ideas emerged ranging from a bear that could beam teddy knowledge, to humorous concepts for a sitcom series. The workshops built on the success of the Teddy Poetry Workshops held in 2021 and 2022, where Jenny conducted sessions across 14 new-entrant classes in six Ōtepoti primary schools, resulting in a delightful anthology of poems by the children published by Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature.

This time the Rudolf Steiner School students created their own poetry anthology filled with heartfelt and humorous poems. Each student complemented their own poem with a stunning artwork, bringing additional depth to their creations. In celebration of City of Literature’s 10th anniversary this year, and as part of a legacy publication series, the poems and artwork were brought together in a special little book, Teddy’s Life Journey, creatively designed by Casey Thomas, Senior Graphic Designer at Dunedin City Council.

Recently, Anne Shelah, Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature Project Coordinator, joined Jenny at a delightful poetry-themed school assembly to honour the creative achievements of Class Kererū and the inspiration Jenny and Teddy had provided. The entire school opened the assembly with a karakia which was followed by a waiata played by Class Kererū on recorders, then each of the students presented their poem alongside their artwork, following the order in the book. The other classes joined in with collective performances of selected poems, in an enchanting and moving atmosphere of shared creativity.

The assembly was filled with pride and celebration, with students receiving their beautiful book as a memento. The assembly closed on a graceful note with a Findhorn blessing, also performed on recorders by Class Kererū, adding a note of reflection.

This was a heartfelt display of the way in which poetry can unite and uplift a community, celebrating the voices of young writers and the joy of self-expression. For Jenny, a teacher and award-winning poet, these workshops are a testament to the transformative power of creativity. The students seem set to continue exploring the magic of words.