West End Warriors “Send An Email” Campaign
As part of their ongoing campaign to “get Bermudians involved in saving West End Primary school from closure,” the West End Warriors for Legacy established the ‘Send An Email’ campaign, asking people to email the Minister of Education.
A spokesperson said, “As part of their on-going campaign to get Bermudians involved in saving the 152-year-old West End Primary school from closure, the West End Warriors for Legacy established the ‘Send An Email campaign.
“Participants are required to send an email to Minister of Education Diallo Rabain at dvrabain@gov.bm with a copy to Patricia Paynter [gppaynter@gmail.com] with a subject line entitled: Save West End Primary school from closure.”
Ellen-Kate Horton and Patricia Paynter holding the two Gorham’s gift vouchers for a redeemable value of $300
Ms. Paynter said, “The Send An Email campaign will continue for as long as it takes.”
“”However, as part of the initial phase of the campaign and in the spirit of Christmas, individuals who participated by midnight on December 20, 2021 were entered in a draw for a chance to win a $300 gift voucher from Gorham’s Ltd.”
Ms. Paynter said, “We are very grateful for Gorham’s support and their contribution toward the value of the Gorham’s gift voucher.
“We only wish that more of the corporate members of our community would come on board and lobby with us to save this icon of Bermuda’s history of education.”
A spokesperson said, “West End Primary is one of the oldest, continuously operated black elementary schools in the western hemisphere. It has been selected for closure by the Minister of Education in favour of retaining Somerset Primary school as the parish primary school for Sandys Parish.
“The selection was based solely on 19 criteria formulated by the Ministry of Education which saw West End score 55.88% compared to Somerset Primary’s score of 61.66%. The 19 criteria excluded any references to historical significance or the desire of most Sandys residents for making West End Primary the parish school.
“The draw took place on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at the West End Primary premises. Mrs. Aziza Furbert, the President of the West End Primary school PTA made the draw which was also attended by Ms. Ellen-Kate Horton, another member of the West End Warriors for Legacy group. Mrs. Furbert expressed her gratitude to the West End Warriors for their continued efforts to save West End and preserve its historical legacy. The lucky winner of the draw was Cicely Atwell who has been notified via email.”
A public question to the West End Warriors.
In the instance that the school is eventually closed, what is your Plan B to preserve the legacy of the school?
Is there anything more than the physical building that will suffice?