UK’s Best-Spoken Word Newcomer 2022

“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder”. Rumi

The College community was delighted to learn of the success of Joseph Roberts, former head boy of our community.

Joseph was nominated for Best Spoken Word Newcomer 2022. His Word piece VIP wowed the judges winning him the prestigious title of UK’s Best-Spoken Word Newcomer 2022

Joseph travelled to London, Balham, for the awards which was organised by Wordplay & Flow.

Joseph was nominated for his Spoken Word piece called “VIP” which he had earlier recorded in the M&S Bank Arena.

Joseph’s Spoken Word piece ‘VIP’ questions the system of capitalism. Every single one of us have been to a concert or a sporting event, yet we never wonder why we are not allowed to sit in a seat made for a Very Important Person. What makes someone a VIP? Why can’t we all be VIP’s ? What is the difference between me and them?

If they have more money, more influence and a higher status, why is this more valued over kindness, manners or love? Being a student of English Literature, we have studied Marxism and one word that comes to mind is ‘interpellation’. When we settle for the seat, we are metaphorically submitting to the system and accepting the ideology that we are important, but some are more important than others!

As Joseph said, “Well, what a week it’s been! Thank you so much to everyone. All I can say is that the moment you decide to do what you love, everything falls into fruition. If you follow me and my stories/posts, you’ll see patterns and how things come full circle. Surrender to the universe and let it surprise you and take you. It doesn’t matter what you like to do, whether it’s football, singing, skiing, collecting stamps or even train spotting! it doesn’t matter! Do it! “Be” means “Exist”, so if we be who we want to be, we are existing how we want to exist. A special thankyou to those who organised the event, by creating an opportunity to celebrate and recognise our craft”.

Paul Stirling, Headteacher said, “Joseph has an amazing talent and winning this accolade was richly deserved, Joseph was an amazing member of our College community who took part in so much of College life, we wish him every success in the coming years”.