NSW Public Schools Poetry Slam

The EOI form is for teachers and school coordinators to register student interest in the NSW Public Schools Poetry Slam 2026.

On application, schools will be sent instructions on how to prepare and upload a video of student's poem to our secure site. Videos will only be viewed by the judging panel and then deleted. Schools should follow their own permission to publish procedures for round 1 submissions.

Fee: $15 per student
Schools can enter up to 4 students from each year group.
Schools will be charged after round 1 has completed.

1. All poems must be the student’s own original work.
2. All primary schools submissions must incorporate the phrase ‘Little Actions, Big Roars’ somewhere within the performance. This phrase can be interpreted widely but poems should explore an aspect related to the environment.
3. All secondary submissions must incorporate the phrase 'My planet, My promise' This phrase can be interpreted widely but poems should explore an aspect related to the environment. Suggested topics are listed above.
4. All performers must be students currently enrolled at a NSW public school in Years 5 to 11.

5. AI should not be used in your submission. Individual teachers are responsible for monitoring its use. 

Round 1 – video submission

Round 1 will be held via video submission due Friday 25 September (Term 3 Week 10).

• Slam poets are required to submit a recorded version of their original poem.
• The performance should be at least three minutes in length but not exceed five minutes.
• The poem should be delivered by an individual student.
• The video should be filmed as one continuous live take from a single static camera with no camera movement (including zoom, pan or tilt) with live audio from the room taken into the camera.
• A video taken with a smartphone or tablet, using the sound from the internal microphone of that device will be sufficient.
• Quality of video and audio recording will not be considered as part of the judging criteria.

All entrants will be sent written feedback on their submissions.

Results will be available on our website Term 4 Week 2.

Successful students will be invited to compete in round 2. 

Round 2 – live performance

Round 2 will be held live at either a metropolitan or rural venue in the week beginning Monday 26 October.

Performances will be live but speakers who cannot make it to the venue can compete online.

Rural and remote students who are chosen for the second round will have the option to compete online or at a choice of rural regional finals including Dubbo Zoo. If successful in progressing to the state final level, they will need to attend the state final in-person.

14 speakers will progress to the state final. The state final will be separated into one primary school and one secondary school division, and one winner and  one runner-up will be chosen for each.

State final

The state final will be held at Taronga Zoo on Friday 4 December 2026 beginning at 10 am for the primary school final. All state finalists must attend in-person.

All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

State finalists will receive:

• a family pass (the speaker and 3 family members) to Taronga Zoo
• a silver medallion
• a stationery prize pack from ACCO Brands Australia.

The state champion and runner-up will receive:

• a family pass (the speaker and 3 family members) to Taronga Zoo
• a trophy
• a deluxe prize pack from ACCO Brands Australia.
• a prize pack from Taronga Zoo

In round 1, submissions will be judged on:

• interpretation and development of the chosen thematic concept
• depth of exploration of environmental, conservation and sustainability themes
• technical proficiency
• structural coherence
• clarity of delivery and performance skills.

Round 2 finalists and the state champion will be judged using the same criteria as above in addition to their ability to engage a live audience.