Outstanding Performances Shine at the 2026 Cardiff Sixth Form College Eisteddfod
The annual Eisteddfod is always one of the highlights of the Cardiff Sixth Form College calendar, and this year’s celebration once again showcased the extraordinary talent, creativity and dedication of our students. Rooted in Welsh tradition and held around the time of St David’s Day, the Eisteddfod brings together music, dance and poetry in a vibrant competition between the College houses. The 2026 event proved to be a memorable occasion, filled with exceptional performances and enthusiastic support from students and staff alike.
Dance
The afternoon began with the dance competition, which was as competitive and captivating as ever. Wallace House opened the event with a superbly choreographed and energetic performance of Uptown Funk, delighting the audience from the very start. Angie of Franklin House followed with a powerful and emotive interpretation inspired by Mulan, demonstrating impressive technical skill and storytelling.
Bella delivered a striking solo performance for Parry House, showcasing both versatility and remarkable physical control. Morgan House was represented by Amira and Jocelyn, whose beautifully synchronised duet created a deeply moving moment. Sherine then brought the energy back to the stage with an electrifying K-Pop dance for Seacole House, bringing the audience to its feet.
With such a high standard across all performances, the judges faced a difficult decision. In the end, Angie was named the winner, marking a memorable start to the afternoon for Franklin House.
Vocal
The vocal competition continued the afternoon’s exceptional standard. Ava and Angela opened the category for Seacole House with a beautiful performance of For Good from Wicked, setting the tone for a highly competitive round.
Aahana followed with a powerful rendition of She Used to Be Mine for Morgan House, displaying impressive vocal range and emotional depth. Maya matched that intensity with a moving solo performance of Leonard Cohen’s classic Hallelujah for Wallace House.
Parry House then took on one of the most ambitious performances of the afternoon, as five vocalists joined together to perform the iconic Bohemian Rhapsody, including its famously complex operatic section.
Ultimately, Franklin House claimed the top prize in this category, with their ensemble delivering a stunning performance of Fix You. Their performance not only won the vocal competition but also earned the Audience Award.
Instrumental
The instrumental competition once again highlighted the remarkable musical talent within the College. Yvonne, a finalist in last year’s Dukes Young Musician of the Year competition, set the bar high from the outset with a marimba performance of Ilijas, the same piece that earned her runner-up place in the national competition.
Franklin House then changed the atmosphere with an energetic band performance of Silhouette, which quickly became a new favourite among the audience. Seamus followed with an impressive electric guitar performance of the technically demanding Cliffs of Dover for Seacole House.
After the interval, Emma and Yohji represented Parry House with a beautifully performed baroque duet for cello and violin, demonstrating virtuoso skill and musical sensitivity. Finally, Bohan delivered a poised and confident performance of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude for Wallace House.
Following an incredibly close contest, Yvonne was named the instrumental winner and was also crowned the overall individual winner of the afternoon.
Poetry
The poetry competition remains another highlight of the Eisteddfod. This year it was once again judged by Dr Despontin, a governor of the College, PhD in children’s literature and a published author of historical fiction. Drawing on her extensive experience as an English teacher and school leader, Dr Despontin offered thoughtful and insightful analysis of the entries.
The competition produced several outstanding pieces. Maya was awarded third place, Daniel took second place, and Linda was named this year’s Bard. When Dr Despontin performed Linda’s poem to the audience, her powerful reading created one of the most moving moments of the afternoon.
House Competition
After all performances had been judged, Morgan House emerged as the winner of the overall House Competition. With the House Cup still being contested throughout the year, the result has set the stage for an exciting and closely fought competition ahead.
The College extends its gratitude to the behind-the-scenes crew, whose hard work and organisational skills helped the event run so smoothly, and to the judging panel — Ms Davies, Mr Dibble, Mr Jenkins and Ms Semedo — alongside Dr Despontin and our visiting adjudicator, Mr Goodhew, Managing Director of Dukes Education, who faced the challenging task of selecting winners from such an impressive field of performers.
The 2026 Eisteddfod once again demonstrated the creativity, confidence and remarkable talent of Cardiff Sixth Form College students, and it remains one of the most cherished traditions in the College calendar.
