2026 Year 4 Second Prize
The Matchgirls Spark by Marloe
We all work day and night.
We all fight for our right.
The matchgirls fight for their lives.
No more silence, no more lies.
Tired hands, aching feet.
The matchgirls had nothing to eat.
Out of the dark,
There comes a spark.
The matchgirls stood and made a choice.
Use their strength and raise their voice.
They worked all day for little pay
Until they chose to strike one day.
Together they refused to hide,
They fought for justice side by side.
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.
Marloe won Second Prize in the Year 4 category with the poem, 'The Matchgirls Spark'.