Norfolk Island Central School participated in Papercuts in Term IV this year.  This and the Sea Things project on Thursday Island were the first times that Red Room has worked with a remote school and community, and we hope there will be many more to come.  

The school

Norfolk Island Central School is a large campus that overlooks the Island's maritime views and historical buildings.  In Year 8, students have the opportunity to study the unique dialect of Norfolk language.  Teacher Ben Hazlett will be steering the Papercuts unit at NICS.

The project

NCIS was visited by Sydney poet Elizabeth Allen for an intensive residency of five days.  Elizabeth worked with Years 5-6 primary students, and across Years 7-9 in the secondary school.  With a week on the island, Elizabeth discussed her experiences as a poet, publisher and poetry workshop member; the importance of the Toilet Doors Poetry project in her work's development, and gave readings of her poetry to the students and wider community.  She asked students to think about questions including: what is a poem; does it need to rhyme; what are some of the techniques you can use in poetry to convey an idea; where do you find poetry; who reads poetry; how might we expand the audience of people who read poetry on Norfolk Island?  

The students undertook guerilla poetry exercises and others from the Papercuts Toilet Doors Poetry kit, including chalking of public spaces on the island.  Reflecting the interests and influences in her own poetry, Elizabeth focused on ekphrasis and the pairing of painting and poetry as an exercise across the classes.  An old demountable classroom was occupied for displaying the students' work, and it will also be showcased at the Island's annual festival in February 2010.  In the meantime, the class has created a blog to which they will be adding their work in progress.  Elizabeth composed notes to new poems and prepared a poem for the school and the island's arts community.

The poet

Elizabeth Allen is a Sydney poet and bookseller who has published one chapbook, Forgetful Hands (Vagabond).  She was a Toilet Doors poet in 2006.