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Haycraft deflects the praises for new Enis Adams Primary School building
Mr Haycraft had initially pledged $1M towards the rebuilding of the school, but in keeping with his word that “financing is guaranteed, right through to the last brick, no matter what it costs,” injected another $1M to see the steel-framed, hurricane resistant 2-storey building to completion.
“I had the easy job. It is easy to pay someone to build but it is a lot more difficult to build. That is why Mr Hesketh Newton is who should be thanked,” Mr Haycraft said in his very brief remarks at the handover ceremony on September 9, 2019.
Mr Hesketh E. Newton, CEO of Newton Construction Company, was the Project Manager of the school’s construction.
According to Mr Haycraft, Mr Newton and team worked long hours to ensure the building was completed in a reasonable timeframe.
Mr Haycraft had previously disclosed that he chose to help rebuild the Enis Adams Primary School because his wife, many years ago read to the students and she loved the view from the classroom in which she was reading from.
‘Irma showed us Mr Haycraft really cares’- Premier Fahie
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) expressed his gratitude to Mr Haycraft and family for the “beautiful” building to house students of the Enis Adams Primary School.
The Premier said he knew Mr Haycraft since a young boy (Hon Fahie) when his grandfather Mr Benjamin Romney did business with him. He described Mr Haycraft as an astute businessman and a kind and frank person. “He would tell you how he feels about any topic and so if you don’t want to know how he feels don’t ask him.”
“Mr Haycraft, Irma has shown us that you really care, because there are a lot of persons who have benefited from these Virgin Islands but when you called on them after Irma they disappeared.
“But rather then disappearing, Mr Haycraft came forward with his family, with his team, and he made a contribution.”
Thanking Mr Haycraft for his invaluable contribution, Hon Fahie said Mr Haycraft has given a model for all business people in the VI “that they must follow.”
The Premier added that the territory has been good to a lot of business people and the business people have to be good to the Virgin Islands, especially in a time of need.
A lasting legacy
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who began working at the Enis Adams Primary School as a teacher assistant after leaving school in 1996, said Mr Haycraft’s kindness is something that the community and the people of the Virgin Islands will always remember.
“This will be a lasting legacy for you…”
Dr Wheatley said he was told the donation was supposed to be one million dollars but on top of that Mr Haycraft put in an additional million dollars.
“And the money was well spent,” Hon Wheatley said, adding that the “fantastic structure”, a REIDS steel frame building, is a model for all schools to be built in the territory.
Gratitude was also expressed to Mr Newton and the Project Architect Mr Ashton McAl.
Meanwhile, Mr Newton was thankful to God for keeping his team safe during the construction phase over the past 14 months and proceeded to thank a long list of persons associated with the building of the school.
He said construction began on June 14, 2018 and called the finished product a significant accomplishment.
History
Former Principal of the Enis Adams Primary School, now retired, Ms Sylvia Adams gave a brief history of the Enis Adams Primary School and how it came into being.
It was noted too that the school had suffered hurricane damages before, as according to her, a hurricane in 1989 blew off the roof and students were subsequently housed at the Methodist Church in Road Town for about a year.
She said she was especially delighted to see the school fitted with an auditorium space for assembly, noting that previously certain programmes had to be done outside because of the lack of space.
Ms Adams, the sister-in-law of the late Enis I. Adams, said she was impressed with the new building and hopes she can visit from time to time as she also misses the children a lot since her retirement.
The retired educator also announced that the Adams family has pledged $1000 towards the restoration of the school’s library and will also provide a new portrait of Ms Enis Ilene Adams, since the old one was destroyed.
95 students enrolled
According to Acting Chief Education Officer Connie E. George, some 95 children have enrolled at the Enis Adams Primary School for the new school year and that number is expected to grow as more persons make requests for their children to attend school there.
There are currently 8 active classrooms and some 10 regular classroom teachers, along with personnel for Music, Physical Education and Guidance Counselling, according to Principal Ronda D. Smith-Thomas.
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11 Responses to “Haycraft deflects the praises for new Enis Adams Primary School building”
Soo much frustrated parents now because they already purchased uniforms, that were acceptable and worn during the previous school year. Skirts should be below the knee no problem, gave parents enough time to prepare for the new school year because skirts below the knees are custom made uniforms. I understand that many students were not allowed into classes this morning because their uniforms were not in line with the school code. This is inconsiderate behavior on the part of the principal not allowing the parents any grace period, given that uniforms were already purchased and would need to be adjusted. Why do we insist on contributing toward poverty of our own people. I sincerely hope the Minister of Education addresses this situation.
First of all enforcing a uniform is about teaching children the importance of following rules and also discipline. Everyone knows the issues in this place right now and it all goes right back to discipline - accidents and injuries on scooters, school drop outs, theft. If you don’t focus on enforcing rules with our children now then when?
Secondly these rules ain’t nothing new. How long now it is known that your skirt should be below your knee? This rule been in place.
Stop with the nonsense. Rules are rules. What the Minister has to get involve for. He made the skirts etc?
Some of you parents are the problem and love to pass blame when your parenting skills sucks. Most of you need a crash course in following rules and discipline. Shocks man.
Finally this story is about positivity. Why your miserable self had to post this in here. This shows exactly the type of person you are. Check yourself because you have serious problems.