New Branches Poetry Competition 2026
The New Branches Poetry Competition 2026 is now open for entries! After an incredible response last year, with nearly 100 poems submitted, we're excited to announce its return.
We invite both students and teachers to enter into one of four categories:
- Primary (Grades 3-6)
- Lower Secondary (Grades 7-9)
- Upper Secondary (Grades 10-11)
- Teachers (primary & secondary)
Participants are encouraged to write an original poem based on one of the following themes:
- Life by the sea in the Caribbean
- Festivals in my country
- Caribbean food and culture
- My island / my community
- Voices of the Caribbean
- Journeys, roots, and belonging
Poems should be between 8 and 20 lines (if entering in the Primary category) or 10 and 25 lines (in Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary and Teachers categories). They should be written in Standard English; however, the effective use of Creole or dialect is encouraged where appropriate, and reflect the personal voice and creativity of each entrant.
Every entry must include a signed permission form (available in the competition guidelines).
You are encouraged to include drawn illustrations along with your poem.
Please read the competition guidelines carefully before you enter, which includes full details on the competition, judging criteria, supportive material and submission instructions:
All entries must be submitted by World Literacy Day on Tuesday 8th September 2026*.
This year’s entries will be reviewed by a two-member judging panel comprising of author, trainer and returning judge Julia Sander, along with Saint Lucian author and educator Mansha Hunte-Baptiste, who also formed part of Macmillan Education’s recent Caribbean Author Academy.
From all of us as Macmillan Education Caribbean - good luck!
*Subject to change