2026 Year 4 First Prize
The Marvellous Matchgirls by Sumayyah
The matchgirls stood and made a choice.
To use their strength and raise their voice.
The match girls wanted better pay
So they stood strong and walked away.
We fight for our rights in the night
Standing in the spotlight.
STRIKE!
We will not hide, we stay united side by side.
No more lies, no more tears and tired eyes.
Their courage showed the world that day,
Young workers voices matter today.
Their strike became a famous right
For workers fairness and their rights.
STRIKE!
Their brave protest helped workers see
That people deserve dignity.
July 2026 saw the 138th anniversary of the Matchgirls Strike. On 10th July, to mark the occasion, The Matchgirls Memorial were hosted at the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives to present prizes of the annual Schools Matchgirls Poetry Competition.
Prizes were presented to the winners of this years school poetry competition from both Blue Gate Fields Junior School and William Patten Primary School. Our judges this year were Dr Anna Robinson and Fawzia Kane.
Sumayyah won First Prize in the Year 4 category with the poem, 'The Marvellous Matchgirls'.