Roof Wetting Ceremony At Bermuda High School
Bermuda High School [BHS] recently held a roof wetting ceremony to celebrate the new Innovation Centre which will open in September 2020.
A spokesperson said, “In attendance were BHS staff, Board members, Head Students and representatives from architecture firm Linberg and Simmons, construction company BCM McAlpine and many of the men who are working on the project on a daily basis.
“After assembling a small group on the roof for the traditional pouring of Goslings Black Rum, the celebrations continued in the construction site downstairs. Board Chair, Mariette Savoie, welcomed the group,
Savoie said, “As we stand here, I am reminded of the long journey to get to this point, and feel immensely proud of all the work that has taken place to get us here. A dedicated team of volunteers and staff members have come together to make what once seemed an impossible dream a reality! I am constantly reminded of the wonderful BHS community in times like this, and feel privileged to have been a part of this wonderful project for the future of BHS. We are so excited for the official opening of the building next year.”
“Head of School, Linda Parker thanked the various partners involved in the project, Linberg and Simmons, BCM McAlpine, Gensler, CCS Fundraising Consultants, Greymane Contracting, Kaissa, Solid Roc Construction, Airpro/Ductpro, Universal Electric, P & M Electric, H&H Plumbing, Bermuda Scaffold, Correia Construction, Trident Reinforcement, BAC, A+ Carpentry, and Barclay Construction. She also thanked those who have worked on the Capital Campaign project to raise the money needed for the building,
Parker said, “Over two and a half years ago, we officially launched the Leading the Way Campaign to raise funds to build this Innovation Centre and renovate our Arts Wing. Hundreds of hours of work have gone on behind the scenes with our dedicated team of volunteers who raised funds and held events; sharing this exciting project with the school community and beyond.
“Our staff have worked tirelessly, planning and working with the architects on the design and functionality of the building. Since January 2019 when we broke ground, many crews of men from various companies have been working very hard, day in and day out, to get us to this point today.
“As a school that is fully committed to the education of girls, we recognised long ago that the world is changing, and that we needed to change with it. This ambitious project was envisioned in response to the local and global need for more girls to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and to foster their creativity with a newly renovated Arts Wing. Every aspect of this new building has been designed to suit how girls learn best and we are confident that our students, and Bermuda by extension, will benefit enormously from these facilities.”
The spokesperson added, “Our focus on providing the best education on the island for girls permeates every aspect of BHS. This year, we are dedicating our Annual Appeal to providing increased Bursary opportunities for Bermuda’s girls.
“The Innovation Centre will include five new Science laboratories, two Computer Science and Robotics labs, a MakerSpace, a Learning Commons and Library, and a Leadership Centre for Girls.
“Renovations which took place over the summer include a new Blackbox Theatre and upgraded Music and Visual Arts spaces which will connect to the Innovation Centre with an outdoor “Idea Hub” linking the Visual Arts with the MakerSpace. Construction will be completed for the start of the 2020 school year.”
