Testimonials — School Visits

In 2018/2019 I was fortunate to work with Marco presenting poetry performances and writing workshops in local Primary Schools. His work with the children was excellent, gaining their interest and enthusiasm immediately. He gave them great opportunities to interact, dress up and take part in the poetry presentation. Even in brief writing workshops, the students, of varied ages, were able to produce insightful and descriptive results. Staff really enjoyed Marco, all requesting repeat performances at the next opportunity.

Diane Burrell -(Former primary teacher and current co-ordinator of Poetry Workshops for The Banjo Paterson Poetry Festival in Orange NSW)

Marco's manner with students is exceptional as he draws them in with his warmth and engaging content. His passion for poetry and education shines through & I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his services to any school in Australia!

Carmel Wooding - Teacher Librarian - Assumption College Warwick

Primary School children are fantastic to work with in this process. They are usually very keen to get up on stage and perform, so the exhilaration at that possibility drives them through the workshops with great enthusiasm. I tell them poems, then have them acting out a poem, then launch into a series of word ‘theatre games’ I have designed myself. After having warmed them up, we then write, simple rhymes at first, and generally by that time I have no trouble spurring them on. My greatest thrill is walking to the staff room during a break and hearing children reciting marching poems and ditties they have written either by themselves or in groups, with the aim of auditioning for me in a later workshop, hoping to be selected to perform in the finale concert. It is exhausting work, but once I walk into a classroom I simply surrender, get down to their level, and before long they have swept me off into that wonderful field of dreams that I never tire of playing in

Marco Reflects on School Visits

Marco's visit to our school was inspirational and helped put our school motto - "Real Learning through Real Experiences" into practice. He brought poetry to life with humour, empathy, family and pet stories, performing with passion and a little drama, everyday words that our students from prep to year 7 understood and related to. One of our most difficult children wrote a perfect poem, a child who is still grasping English wrote about an elephant with huge flapping ears, the preps created a poem, and three classes walked out of Marco's session and spent the rest of the day writing verse. They were really engaged by this consummate entertainer, who helped kick off several poetry units. It's safe to say many of the children will never forget him. They later quoted his comment that poetry is music without the notes, were extremely impressed with his ability to memorise so much, and asked if he'll be coming back. The teachers were just as effuse with their praise, and all considered it a most valuable experience. Thankyou Marco for showing our school that poetry is about writing, speaking, acting, and enjoying rather than something we kill through analysis, before we ever discover the power and the joy.

Rosyln Stemmler - Teacher Librarian - Withcott State School

Marco Gliori is a professional presenter and has a great manner with our boys. His presentations are full of humour and encourage students to see poetry in a new and engaging way. Audience participation is a highlight. Marco has visited our school for many years and it is always a pleasure to welcome him back.

Vicki Palmer - Teacher Librarian - Brisbane Boys Grammar