Edna Judd taught Speech and Drama at the Acton School from 1959-1974, and died in April 1996. She was a most gifted teacher and her love of literature and drama influenced her many pupils over the years. She always gave generously of her time and is remembered with great affection. Since 1999, Habs Girls has held an annual poetry recital competition as a memorial for Edna Judd. When the competition was established Mr Judd (Edna’s widower) wrote “the idea of a poetry festival would have been so welcome and in line with Edna’s love of poetry and the art of speaking.”
The Edna Judd poetry recital competition is a House event. The top five best recitals from each Lower 4 and Upper 4 class go forward to a second House round, which is judged by their Head of House and the House English teacher. Two students from each House are put forward to the final.
Every student chooses a poem that is between 12-20 lines long. They are encouraged to be ambitious in their choice; finalists in particular will have learnt weightier poems and will recite them with clarity and confidence.
The winning recitals are not only well memorised; the delivery also conveys a sensitive and mature understanding of their chosen poem.
This year’s winners were:
Congratulations!
