Student Council Elections

We hear you

As this election is the first to occur since the Covid 19 pandemic, Lower six teams came out strong. ‘We hear you’, became interested in running for the student council when their president and two other members transferred into the school and felt that there were improvements that could have been made to the school, not only physically but mentally as well which became one of their aimed achievements if they won the election along with making the students feel recognized and safer. They stressed on their goal to make school life not only feel academically focused, but to integrate fun for balance. The fear of disappointing others and learning from past mistakes along with the want of ‘giving new students things that they never had’ were the main motivation behind the goals of ‘We Hear You’. The team members were chosen based on shared common aspirations and purpose and a good friendship. President of the team stated that ‘everyone had a nice name but we wanted to make something more bold and stand out more’ thus, “We Hear You” was chosen. They stressed that their name represented being your sister’s keeper and reflected their goals. Members felt their competition was the ``Change Advocates” , another lower six team running for student council, as they felt that they had similar aspirations and a strong way of campaigning with good ideas but different ways of showing it. When asked about tactics that they would have used for campaigning, their President reported that she received advice from the student council’s past president Amba Rampersad who said to come out strong with words, and to approach the student body with their campaign in a light hearted and friendly manner to gain trust.  The members stressed that they were not fans of using bribery as a tactic of gaining votes.

Change advocates

Another lower six team, the “Change Advocates” were full of passion and excitement to run for the student council. The team was interested in running as they felt that as women they needed to have more power. Their vice- president  stated that making a change in and for the school was a dream for her since form one. She also “felt tired of people tearing down and speaking badly about the school and wanted to make a difference.”. The team planned on improving the maintenance of the school, especially the bathrooms and had activities and ideas planned but stressed that it needed to be approved by higher authorities before it could be disclosed. The “Change Advocates” expressed that their motivations toward their goals were listening to what the students’ suggestions, opinions and requests of the school were  and the need to work towards a “school-friendly change”. They wanted to be a voice for the student body and stressed “speaking with actions”. The team chose their members as each of them possessed the skills required for the positions they were running for. The name ‘Change Advocates” was used as they wanted to include the word ‘advocate’ and change was their main goal in their campaign. We asked who their competition was, and the team felt that it was the  Upper six teams, as they have more experience and may seem “more mature” to the student body. The team planned to utilize the posters and flyers they previously hung around the school as well as going to different classes and gaining information and suggestions. Much like “We Hear You”, the members stated that they too were not fans of using bribery as a tactic of gaining votes and when asked which teams used this tactic, they desisted from answering, similarly to the other team.

FSBS

Our first Upper six team to be interviewed this year, “For Students By Students” emanated a calmer approach towards campaigning, but their striking confidence shone through. This team was formed due to the interest of making a difference in the school as they wanted to express the creative ideas of how they could have enhanced the school environment. They advocated for the student body’s ability to have creative expression. The team planned on achieving” a more comfortable environment for the student body, by new seating areas and necessities that are suited for young girls in need, like implementing a period station where they could restock pads and tampons for any emergency and working to improve the upper building of the school”, stated by members. The team's motivation for their goal came from the want to give the lower forms what they would have liked to have when they were in that position and they felt that they could have improved the school’s environment inorder for students to have the best experience. They also stated that the present lower forms have not had the experience that they had when they were in lower school and they would have liked to provide them with that opportunity so the school’s traditions could be passed on. “FSBS”s team consisted of a group of classmates who have worked well together on previous projects and developed a dynamic, their president noted that “ there is a better form of communication and understanding of each other” when it is done this way. The name “For Students By Students” was created as a reminder of what the team was and represented, “showing equality amongst the student council and the student body”. They considered the Lower six teams as competition as they felt that they were very good contenders and that their campaigning strategies were very persistent, consistent and strong and they had great enthusiasm. Lastly, the ‘FSBS'' planned to use their honesty as a tactic while campaigning and felt that relating to students and not installing a “false sense of hope” would amplify their approachability.

 

LOML

Another upper six team was the “LOML”, who also, in comparison to the lower sixes took a calmer, “cooler” approach to their campaigns. However, their campaign was impactful and well thought out. The Parvati Post teams had the pleasure of interviewing this team’s President about the student council election, this is what she reported to us: 

“Running for Student Council President was always a particular interest of her as gives it gave the opportunity to interact and be the voice of a body of people. This was not only something that I enjoyed but was of particular interest to me to learn to do these things to my ability as one day I aspire to be a politician.

 

If I had won this election my main goals would have been trying to increase the number of benches as well get them painted and cleaned in the area in the back by the Upper sixes. Additionally, to  continue the provision of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and soap. As well try to integrate more fun activities.

 

The selection of my time was based on friendships that I forged during my tenure at school. Getting to these people they fit all the criteria suitable for a leader.

 

The president expressed that she found that her competition was the other teams, as they all had the same interest of assisting the student body.

 

The upcoming tactics that would have been used by this team were, speaking to students one on one to see what improvements they would have wanted, additionally poster and flyers and perhaps a rally for our campaign in the assembly area

SHADOW COUNCIL

Just like Form 6s could have ran for Student council, Form 4s were given the opportunity to run for Shadow council. Shadow council is the team that would take over as the Student Council when Form 6s go off to write their CAPE examinations in terms 2 and 3. This year there were four (4) Shadow council teams they competed. These teams were interviewed based on their choice of running for Shadow council.

Team name: Making a Change

‘Making a Change’ was the name of one of the four teams that competed. This name was chosen because they wanted to change up a few items that would have  better themselves and the environment of the school. The five members of ‘Making a Change’ were chosen based on the willingness to participate and to incorporate the upgrades that they would have planned on obtaining in the future. Some of these upgrades were new requirements for our bathrooms and new sanitizers along with many other activities. These future goals were encouraged by future pupils that would enter school in the coming academic years. They wanted them to have the best experience and leave with only good things to say about Parvati Girls Hindu College. Team members decided to run for the council as they wanted to assist in creating a better environment for the students and to ensure that their hygiene and work areas are clean and tidy. Their campaign tactics included mainly sales. The money collected from the sales would have been contributed towards the upcoming projects around the school. ‘Making a Change’ considered ‘Wisely’ as their main competition as they have known each other since entering form 1 and based on ‘Making a Change’s’ knowledge, ‘Wisely’ was as interested as they were and wanted  to achieve similar goals, hence, why ‘Making a Change’ wanted to top ‘Wisely’s’ ideas.

Team name: EFE – Equality for Everyone

‘Equality for Everyone (EFE)’ is another one of the Shadow council teams competing. The name of this team was chosen because the members want everyone of all cultures and race at Parvati Girls Hindu College to feel equal and to be treated equally. The members were chosen based on how responsible and industrious they are. Equality for Everyone was interested in running for the council because they would like to make a difference and positively influence the student body at our school. Some of their goals that they would like to achieve if they win are the installation of Air-conditioning units in the Form 4s and 5s classroom and in the new laboratories. Other goals include installing a mirror in the upper school bathroom and soap dispensers by the sinks. They are motivated to complete these goals through their personal experiences. They have experienced the effects of the issues and through running for shadow council, they hope to raise awareness about the concerns. The tactics that they are using to campaign include being polite and courteous to the rest of the student body, listening and incorporating student concerns and ideas they may have.  Equality for Everyone sees all other competing teams as their competition as they all have a chance of winning. They are fighting as hard as they can and while keeping in mind a statement that their teachers have remarked “it’s okay if you don’t win, everyone of you are responsible young girls who will accomplish amazing things in life”.

By Kavita Dinanath and Dariel Hosein

Team name: The Revolutionaries

The revolutionaries are yet another contender in PGHC’s shadow council student elections. The name of this team was chosen as they believed that it was unique and motivational towards the school’s population to vote in their favor. These resilient girls plan to win the trust and the hearts of the students here at PGHC so that the student body feels comfortable in maintaining a balance of personal and academic support, by striving to make the school a better place whilst  keeping  up with its legacy and disciplinary caliber as well. Though the members of this team have little experience with student council due to their limited time here at school, they chose their members by promoting their shared interests as a very tight knit group. Due to their friendship they have discovered their ability as a group to have a free flow of communication where they can bounce ideas off of each other and take constructive criticism when needed. To This, as a result, they would like to mention the fact  that they understand that school can take a toll on your mental health and they would like to provide as much assistance as they can to the student body. Although the competition is steep they believe that their competition is that of famously mentioned so far in the race of student council, W.I.S.E.L.Y. However they believe that they would support whoever wins this election to their best abilities as their all share the same common goal. The revolutionaries, have campaigned during this week as clean as a whistle with hopes to promote their intentions of appeasing the many necessities of students such as; a sufficient supply of toilet paper, a paper towel dispenser and maybe even the hopes of a hand dryer in the washrooms in the foreseeable future!. They would also like to mention that they have the mindset to want to make a change and believes that the older girls have made a good impression on them so that they can partake in many more extra activities such as this as well as look forward to working alongside them if they can.

By, Vashanna Persad

Team name: W.I.S.E.L.Y

W.I.S.E.L.Y. Today is a group from the form 4S class composed of Ishita Verma, Tarita Moonasar, Keiera Audain, Divya Seelalsingh and Denika Seelalsingh.The name, which is an acronym for ‘Willing to Intelligently, Serve, Empower and Lead You today’. When coming up with this name, the intention was to reflect the passions and goals of the group. One of the key components in the makeup of the group as they believe that being classmates means that as a group, they possess leadership, management and organizational abilities and skills necessary to serve as the shadow council. This group said that they are interested in running for student council in order to be a voice of the students. The main motivation behind their  goals is the ideology that students should be the number one priority. Students attend school to receive an education, however as the shadow council they would ensure that students enjoy every school term to its fullest whilst maintaining a focused and dedicated academic life. They intend to be a sister's keeper, friends and leaders. When asked what their plans were upon winning elections, their answer was quite straightforward, outlining intentions to work alongside the form 6 council and accompany them in making improvements to this institution. Their main goal being to work to create a pleasant learning environment for students while ensuring that they achieve the highest level of productivity. When asked about their biggest competition, a noble answer was given: They believe that they do not necessarily have a particular "competition." this election, but believe that each team is made up of diligent students, who are capable of moving the school forward, and  wish each team well. Finally, their campaign tactics were simple, they designed their flyers and logo, which was distributed to students. Together with this, walkabouts were done in order to acquaint themselves with the student population. W.I.S.E.L.Y. Today believes to run a highly ethical, honest and transparent campaign.

By, Chelsea Quan Kep