Under D Almond Tree

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Under D Almond Tree!
The Polytechnic Institute (SIXTH FORM GOVERNMENT SCHOOL) Newsletter
"If you make your internal life a priority, then everything else you need on the outside will be given to you and it will be extremely clear what the next step is."
Greetings from the Principal!

Greetings Students and Welcome to our lowers and uppers. As principal I invite you to take the opportunity for your success, not just in your academics but as human beings and as young citizens of our Republic. Success has of times been defined as using what is available, where you are to solve a problem or overcome a situation. Many things may not be available but what is available is your determination, your will, your drive to overcome the obstacles in your way.
So thrive here at Poly as you walk in the confidence that you have. Take responsibility for yourself and your actions as you strive for excellence. Be that person of integrity, which is so badly needed at this time. Walk always in the service of God, beloved school and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Words from the Editors
Hello Poly Peeps!!
Under d Almond Tree is back and we are happy to share all Poly information via this newsletter. Our mission is to keep you abreast of all the activities within these walls, as well as to discuss topics that everyone can relate too.
The newsletter team is very enthusiastic to create articles that can add value and laughs, we look forward to keeping it real!
Also, feel free to share any ideas or pieces via polypapers1@gmail.com
POLYIANS' VOICE IS BACK!

After two years on lockdown and school being online, the education system has returned to normalcy,
meaning the students returned to physical classrooms. This normalcy means that the culture of the
school can now be shared again, and that includes the Student Council.
The Student Council is that body nominated by the students to represent them and plea their issues and concerns. The council embarks on responsibilities such as fund raising events for graduation dance and also together with the school’s population work on ensuring that the time in Poly is one that is joyous and memorable.
This year's election was held on October 19th, with four parties: COU (COUNCIL OF UNITY), UPP (UNITED POLY PARTY), SA (STUDENTS ALLIANCE) and TIS (TOGETHER IN SOLUTIONS). The campaigning process ranged from fliers, candidates interacting with students and a forum “I wanna know” where students were able to raise their concerns and ask questions to the various parties, listening to the responds and plans if selected as the council.




The lead up to this election was very intense. The concept of a “winner” was unsure and all the candidates were favorable, but on Election Day all the confusion was cleared and the polyians got to create their voice, the Student Council was selected.

Sooooo this year's Student Council is:
PRESIDENT: LIAN MATHURA SINGH
VICE PRESIDENT: HASANI HILLOCKS
SECRETARY : KEANU O’SAUNA
VICE SECRETARY: CHEYENNE CABRAL
TREASURER: SHAQUILLE SUPERVILLE
ASSISTANT TREASURER: ARIANNA BROWNE
EDUCATION OFFICER: CHRISTOPHER NOEL
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER : JONATHAN LONDON
WELFARE OFFICER: SHERISSE RENEE
Congrats!! And welcome the new Student Council!!!
The Polyians voice is back... let's do this!
De Poly Experience
Everyone talks about the Poly Experience, yet do we fully understand this experience?
Firstly, the one institution has two names; Polytechnic and Sixth Form Government School, also referred to as the evening school and the day school. This place is the spot for adults (Poly) to repeat courses due to circumstances or straight up, just want a promotion, also for students (Sixth Form Government) that complete CSEC to continue their studies at advance level, aka CAPE. Poly is usually the constant name for both, so...
WHAT IS POLY EXPERIENCE?

Poly experience is one of a pre university exposure. One where students leave secondary school behind, prestigious or not, and learn responsibility under the independent learning act. This act enables students the freedom of being involved in the learning process and to grow their self discipline. The rules are there, most definitely! However, the freedom of choice is more available as well.
The Poly Experience is an unique one, assisting the “adulting” process, prepping students for university culture and even work, it is one that builds confidence and creates bonds that will last a lifetime. The
Poly experience is what we the students make it.
How is your POLY EXPERIENCE so far?

They seem to enjoy theirs!
Besides Books

Poly is known for developing the holistic human, simply meaning here we get to do more than
academics. Through these clubs and activities students get to express themselves and also get out of their comfort zone. Socialization and mingling is part of the curriculum here, just another reason we are unique. Some clubs here include: DRAMA. TABLE TENNIS, ART AND EMBROIDERY, SEWING, DEBATE.
There is also the school choir and musical instruments sessions and we are hoping to see much more clubs developing!
The activities..Hmm..MR AND MISS POLY...definitely a show stopper, the Christmas concert, where
talents make the school population question their peers “what else yuh hiding?” and then the activities that surround the HOUSE system...the competitive “heroes” appear to save the respective houses. The cricket matches…the parang competition, sports day. The students and staff join forces to ensure that their respective house is the winner, but all in all, there
can only be ONE..which house will it be this year???




Poly Predicaments
As humans, it is impossible to make everyone happy or even to please everyone. A society that likes to complain and “always make an issue”
Right here in Poly, we have problems, from infrastructure to emotional issues but it’s all part of the package. From heat to flood in seconds…nerves kicking... Overwhelm with IA’s and deadlines…yes all part of the package.
Poly Predicament is here to discuss all aspects of the issues inside here…the physical…the emotional...the mental…the madness of coping studies and the environment we doing this in. The classrooms…gosh! No working fans…the lecture room leaking ceilings, but we pressing on, because our education is essential.
Recently, there were complaints about the toilets, but people we need to be
responsible for our space as well, this is OUR SCHOOL, let’s do our part!
With Student Council functioning again, we will make changes and hopefully make this place as comfortable as possible. The opportunity to make this two years a good one is all about our attitude and perspective.
Creativity Corner

DID YOU KNOW?
-
There is a species of spider called the Hobo Spider.
Most bites from the Hobo Spider (Tegenaria agrestis) happen when the spider is
accidentally crushed or squeezed by a human.
-
Honeybees can recognize human faces.
We all thought that it was only large brained mammals could distinguish faces, but honeybees can do this as well!
-
Would you believe that a woman tried to commit suicide by jumping off the Empire State Building? She jumped from the 86th floor but was blown back onto the 85th floor by a gust of wind.
Standing almost 1,500 feet tall, there’s no way anyone could survive that fall.
However, when Elvita Adams tried to kill herself by jumping, a strong gust of wind blew her to the floor below.
-
Did you know that Birds don’t urinate.
Birds actually convert nitrogen to uric acid.
They get rid of this uric acid through the same place as they get rid all their other waste – their anus.


Hungry for
something new?



The 1990 coup
It’s been years of pain and no refuge for my brothers. What should we do about it ? We believe
in peace and unity but everything has to start somewhere. Even if something is born out of
violence, peace can still co-exist. Violence and trauma is temporary, more temporary than the
struggles we are facing in Trinidad and Tobago today. So I say again , what are we gonna do about it?
Every Friday parliament is held in the red house, this is where everything and everyone is important. I think we could get across to them peacefully without violence but if not we will have to use resort to it.
We will have to put our lives on the line for the future generations of this country. Yes we will be labeled as criminals, our faith will be casted away but it won’t be the first time and I assure you it won’t be the last.
We move at 6pm to start my brothers.
The
clock strikes six , “ At 6pm this afternoon the government of Trinidad and Tobago was
overthrown, the prime minister and members of cabinet are under arrest.” Ahhh it feels like
victory, the authority of the police and all officials have been transferred to us, not power but
authority, because no man has power, we all die. “ where is your prime minister now to address
the nation ? Where is he? He was removed by god.”but me…. I am not god , I am Bilal Abdula."
Negative {I'm Sorry}
I'm sorry. I'm sorry that my life is too negative for everyone. I'm sorry that I said the truth or if you're arrogant, in my opinion, that you are acting very petty. I'm sorry that my existence is not enough for you to enjoy or even a small pinch. I'm sorry, I suffer so badly that I overthink everything so that I can be prepared for every bad thing in my life. I'm sorry if your issues are on the top of my list because mine aren't important. I'm sorry that even though I am mentally unstable at times, I can't agree with everything you say. I'm sorry that you blocked me for my opinion. I'm sorry for loving others. I'm sorry for caring so much that it hurts. I'm sorry that I'm going down a dark path and no one can save me. I'm sorry to die every second. I'm sorry that I'm everyone's burden. I'm sorry that I can't give you what you want. I'm sorry that I hate myself and somehow I'm supposed to feel sorry for feeling this. I'm sorry for every bad thing that I do. I'm sorry for every mistake I make and what I am. I'm sorry for being so mad yet smiling to not make others unhappy. I'm sorry for being the world's nuisance in everything I do. I'm sorry that I can't be more. I'm sorry to the point I wish that I never existed. I'm sorry that this speech makes you feel anything or nothing. I'm sorry that I'm here. I'm sorry that I fall for people who never want me. I'm sorry that I'm a joke. I'm sorry that every moment I want to cry, die and want to hurt myself. I'm sorry for wanting to feel a bit of happiness. I'm sorry that I constantly exist, not die or even be happy or anything. I'm sorry that I'm frustrated all the time. I'm sorry for wanting to shut off my emotions. I'm sorry that I might not live tomorrow. I'm sorry for my death.
I jus like you
Lisa Marie, 4ft 1, 13 years old her body sculpted like a goddess Skin touched by the sun, Oh if she only knew A beauty in disguised oh how she wish, the skies staring down telling her story Not the one where Barbie is the standard of beauty Or the one where they referred to her as mentally as Ed, Edd and Eddy Its standard where they think control is the key and if she don’t look like them she would never succeed So know the higher ups put algorithms and Systems in place The same system where education is key yet she learned to hide from her classmates way before she can read More worried about the teachers than her own literacy She passed the test to fit in but her culture didn’t A target on her back just cuz she looked differently Knowingly she’s treated as a problem way before she can be noticed as a person Ah little longer she tell sheself It won’t be long, as she stood covered From head to toe, for no skin to show “I jus like you”, she whispered but ofc no one heard. I JUS LIKE U!” she screamed Head tilted up, tears behind her eyes Now that caught her classmates eyes No one taught she had it in her For they taught they trampled her D’ way her hands gave path for her words Her body telling its own story D' way she looked at them not with scorn but with pity She felt sorry for them, Sorry that they were going thru problems just like her And they chose to lash out “ No one never talks about How people does feel on the inside Buh Yet people feel is a crime To ask wah going on, on the other-side To show the silent eyes Of a person who is hidden within their mind Where all the same and colour doesn’t change that” She told the class as this was her last time she would be belittled by them. “I jus like you and yuh jus like me full stop.”
Let’s Connect
#2 Ethel Street, St. James, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
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