Sixth-former Paarth Aggarwal’s defiant words about racism have drawn plaudits from the judges in an annual competition open to poets from around the world.
Paarth’s piece, entitled I know who I am, which was inspired by his reading of others’ experience of racism, was highly commended in the Black in White Poetry Competition.
He had the opportunity to present the poem at the competition’s awards ceremony hosted by The Transforming Words Foundation (TTWF) charity. It has been published in a new anthology of the winning competition entries, entitled White face, foreign hands.
Head of English Robert Hyland said: “Poetry is a powerful medium for looking at difficult issues, and my congratulations go to Paarth on his achievement in so successfully exploring complex themes of identity and prejudice in his poem.”
Paarth, of Year 12, said: “I wrote this poem to explore how racism can affect the way people see themselves, especially when they are constantly judged for how they look, speak, or where they come from. I was inspired by books of people who have been made to feel like they don’t belong simply because they are different, and that idea resonated with me.
“I wanted to show a journey: starting from feeling confused and pressured to change, and then gradually realising that those differences are actually a source of strength. The poem’s narrator begins by hearing insults and expectations from others, but eventually recognises pride in their heritage, culture, and individuality.
“The message I wanted to convey is that nobody should feel the need to shrink themselves to fit someone else’s idea of what is ‘normal’. Our backgrounds, voices, and identities are powerful, and embracing them is a form of resistance against prejudice. Through this poem, I hoped to encourage confidence, pride, and resilience in the face of racism.”
At the ceremony, Paarth was presented with a certificate by Cllr Tony Vourou, former Mayor of Barnet. TTWF was founded in 2020 by poet, communications leader and equality, diversity and inclusion expert Charlotte Shyllon.
Paarth is no stranger to competition success: in recent years he was won both local and international awards in connection with his success in using AI to develop apps to help visually impaired people and children with autism.
Paarth’s poem is set out below.
I Know Who I Am
They called me names I didn’t know,
Then laughed when I looked down –
Like being different was a joke
In this pale-painted town.
They said my skin was “too much sun,”
My lips, my nose, my hair –
Like beauty came in only shapes
That I would never wear.
They told me, “Speak like you belong,”
But I was always me –
My voice holds oceans, roots, and storms
That won’t bow to a sea.
They said, “You’re not like all the rest,”
As if that was a prize.
But I could see the lie they held
Still dancing in their eyes.
At first, I tried to scrub it off –
My name, my voice, my shade.
Until I saw the magic in
The things they tried to fade.
I come from warriors, song and stone,
From poets, drums, and flame.
And I will not make myself small
To fit inside their frame.
So let them whisper, point, or scoff –
I’ve heard it all before.
But every time they shut a gate,
I build a brighter door.
I know the power in my walk,
The fire in my skin.
And no one gets to dim the light
I carry deep within.
The boys, representing Years 7, 8, 9 & 10, made the five-mile journey for an away fixture at Ashmole Academy – and returned with their first victory under their belts. Although Ashmole won two of the year-group battles to QE’s one (with one draw), QE had the higher points tally overall, with 17 games won to Ashmole’s 15.
The approach of the fixture and the squad’s preparations for it created a “genuine buzz around the PE department”, said Mr Scally.
Each match won contributed one point to the overall team tally for that year group, creating an exciting and fast‑paced scoring system.
Twenty-nine senior boys have received offers from Cambridge, with a further 15 offered places at Oxford. The figures lift the School’s total number of Oxbridge offers over the past four years to a remarkable 202.
A team of Year 7s were on hand to support the visitors from Barnet’s Underhill and Whitings Hill primary schools, backed by a trio of sixth-formers.
“Many of our own pupils here develop a passion for English and for reading, and The Queen’s Library provides the perfect place for them to share that passion with pride.”
“Encouraged by our friendly Year 7s, the visiting pupils took part in a quiz and designed their own book cover,” said Mrs Blackford. “Year 12 students then took over to deliver an engaging creative writing workshop that incorporated word games, sensory description and…a disappearing classroom!
Forty-five boys drew inspiration for the future and learned about what studying at a world-leading university involves during the trip to Christ Church – the Borough of Barnet’s partner college at Oxford.
Nathan Lawson, QE Futures Coordinator and Geography teacher said: “At QE, we believe it’s never too early to inspire students to aim high and be future-ready. Through our partnerships and alumni network, they can gain first-hand insights that shows them anything is possible with determination, hard work, and persistence.
The day began with a warm welcome from Dr Ana Hastoy, the college’s Admissions and Access Manager, and her team, who delivered an ‘all you need to know’ session on applying to Oxford, alongside practical advice on UK universities, funding, and applications.