Shipyard gives support to Grand Bahama schools

The Nassau Guardian

Shipyard gives support to Grand Bahama schools

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – As school doors close and commencement ceremonies begin to take place all over Grand Bahama, the 2014 graduates of Martin Town Primary School, Bartlett Hill Primary School and Holmes Rock Primary School have all stopped to say ‘thank you’ to the Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS) for supporting them throughout the year.

Using the proceeds from annual fishing tournaments in 2013 and 2014, the GBS has donated several hours of its time and effort to each of the three schools in a variety of ways. Over the last few years, the tournament has grown and the shipyard has been able to extend its support of local education, assisting more schools both in east and west Grand Bahama.

Ed Pavey, GBS Youth Benefit Fishing Tournament director and director of technical, planning and information technology, along with his colleague Creighton Moxey, GBS Youth Benefit Fishing Tournament co-director and junior ship manager, attended each school’s commencement and were honored to be recognized by the students and staff.

“The graduating classes from all three schools are truly exceptional,” said Pavey. “Between their academic excellence and athletic dominance, is a direct reflection of the hard work accomplished by the teaching and support staffs as well as the amazing guidance of the principals.”

Holmes Rock Primary School was the first school that GBS started to work on after the 2013 fishing tournament. Upgrades to the school included a complete repainting of the exterior of the school, a new water heater, completion of a smart board setup for the school, new water fountains, the installation of plexiglass in some of the classrooms, new ceiling fans, trash cans and enclosures for the trash cans, a new refrigerator for the teachers’ lounge, new bleachers and four new picnic tables. The GBS team also repainted the school’s logos and signs.

At Bartlett Hill Primary School, the shipyard helped buy, build and assemble a new playground for the preschool; provided and painted four new picnic tables; completed a smart board setup for the school; provided new water coolers; installed plexiglass in some of the classrooms; refurbished the school’s tuck shop and existing playground; donated 12 new basketballs and painted a new logo on the basketball court.

Pavey also noted, “I am so proud to have the privilege to know the three fantastic principals, Mrs. Mary Russell of Martin Town Primary School, Miss Leslie Newton of Holmes Rock Primary School and Mrs. Gia Walker of Bartlett Hill Primary School. I would also like to personally thank Mrs. Sandra Edgecombe and Mrs. Mary Cooper of the Ministry of Education for all of their cooperation and support of our school projects!”

The shipyard’s fishing tournament has been running for four years, with the fourth one on March 21 and 22 at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club. For more details and to see pictures from previous tournaments visit the shipyard’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Bahama-Shipyard/175576595824296.

 

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