West End Warriors Launch 'Send An Email' Campaign In Ongoing Bid To Save West End

The West End Warriors for Legacy has set up a ‘Send An Email’ campaign in their ongoing bid to “get Bermudians involved in saving West End Primary school from closure”.

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.

“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.”

The campaign will continue “for as long as it takes”, the spokesperson added.

“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.

“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.”

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.