AGT Performer Freya Prince supporting Anti-Bullying through Dance and Poetry

Freya is a kind, caring, and empathetic girl who has just turned 13. Her infectious giggle can brighten anyone’s day, and she has always possessed a vivid imagination and creative spark that’s been evident from a very young age.
Whether she was writing songs and poetry, putting on full-scale shows, filming and directing videos, choreographing dances, or even transforming her bedroom into an island complete with a hotel and a swimming pool (yes — with real water!), Freya’s creativity has always known no bounds. There was even a time she tried to create a COVID vaccine in her homemade science lab!
Freya lives at home with her mum Laura, dad Ray, her big sister Ava, and her best friend Waffle — the family’s adorable dog.
The poem you’re about to hear Freya read was written during a particularly difficult time in her life, while she was attending her third primary school. Her mum had asked her to jot down how she was feeling so they could share it with the GP. Instead, Freya chose to express her emotions the best way she knows how — by turning them into a heartfelt poem.
Not only did she write this powerful piece, but she also choreographed a dance to go along with it — a beautiful and moving performance that she hopes will connect with others who may have gone through similar struggles.
Freya is now attending her fourth school, where she is much happier and feeling more supported. She hopes that by sharing her poem and performance, other children and families who may be going through tough times will feel seen, understood, and a little less alone.

I Don’t Feel Safe at School
I wake up the dread the worries,
It’s like a whirlpool, swirling, whirling, pushing me down, down a deep dark hole.

My hand grips tight to my safety net,
But I am pulled away, knowing what will come next.
That feeling I know so well,
It’s back again, making me feel so unwell.
I don’t feel safe at school.

The smirks, the looks, the whispers, the names
And the words that hurt,
I try to push them down, but they won’t leave—
When can I go home, and just breathe?

The noise is deafening like a thousand fireworks all at once.
The smell is overwhelming too much for me to stand.
Where is my safety net of my mums familiar hand,
The lights cut through me like a million swords
When is it time to go home?

Staring at a the whiteboard makes me want to shout and let my feelings out.
The SATs talk is tiring it makes me want to run,
It makes me want to scream and cover my ear drums.
When is it time to go home?
2 / 3

The scrape of chairs the stamp of feet the pushing the grabbing the shouting the pouting,
The line that’s not straight.
The waiting to go, to go and feel safe,
Please, someone tell me, when can I go home?

The balls flying everywhere the guineapig that’s no longer there.
The mean girls, the bullying, it goes on and on,
I just want to curl up, to be left alone—
I am silently sulking,
When can I go home?

The clatter of plates, the tasteless horrible food,
The noise is too much, I feel so sad,
The tiredness hits, I’m feeling so weak—
When can I go home and just be me?

The clock ticks on, but time moves slow,
A constant battle I don’t know how to outgrow.
I wait for the bell, for the day to end,
Hoping tomorrow won’t break me again.

I Don’t Feel Safe at School.

By Freya Prince