Kingsway Academy, Nassau

Kingsway Academy, located in Nassau, Bahamas, is an interdenominational Christian primary and secondary school. Established in 1959, the school has grown from a modest beginning into one of the Bahamas's most respected education institutions.

History

Kingsway Academy traces its origins to 1957 when Canadian missionary Ernest Tatham envisioned a Christian school in Nassau.[1] His daughter, Ruth had established the Jack and Jill Nursery School on Dowdeswell Street and, in 1958, Tatham established a primary school behind the nursery school,[2] which he called the Charles Tatham Memorial School, named after his father, Charles Goodeve Tatham.[1]

The school was initially managed by teacher, Shirley Redbath.[1] Tatham's daughter, Grace, arrived in 1960 and ran the school for the next 14 years.[1]

In 1961, the school was rebranded Kingsway Academy as "the children could neither remember nor pronounce" the original name.[1] The school opened with seven students and its rapid growth eventually led to its relocation to a larger property on Bernard Road in 1968.[1]

The construction of an L-shaped elementary school at the Bernard Road property was spearheaded by Chic Anderson, a Christian building contractor, who worked tirelessly for 18 months to complete the project.[1] The new building was ready, albeit initially without doors and furniture. The local churches lent tables and chairs to support the school in its early days.

The school continued to grow, adding new facilities and increasing enrollment. In 1970, Grace's brother, Paul Tatham, who had obtained a Masters in school administration, joined the academy with the aim of taking over as principal.[1]

Carol Harrison became the principal in 1973,[1] overseeing significant developments, including the annexation of additional land in 1999, which further cemented the school's status as a premier educational institution.

Principals

This is an incomplete list of principals of the school:

  • Grace Tatham Kemp,[3] 1960–1973
  • Carol Harrison,[1][4] 1973–?
  • Mildred Turner,[5] ?–2005

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kemp, Grace. "The Kingsway Academy Story" (PDF). The Kingsway Academy Story. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Obituary for Pastor C. Ernest Tatham". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. 18 September 1997. p. 30. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Honour for Kingsway Academy's Founder". Bahamas Information Services. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  4. ^ Ginder, Henry (Feb 1988). "The Brethren in Christ in Nassau". Therefore Go Ye. 16 (1): 3. Carol (Steckley) Harrison... is the principal of Kingsway Academy... in 1971... she was employed as third grade teacher at Kingsway. Two years later she was asked to serve as principal of Kingsway Academy. At that time the school numbered 240 students—kindergarten through sixth grade. Now there are 420 elementary students and 239 secondary students.
  5. ^ "Principal's Salute". Tribune newspaper. Nassau, Bahamas. 16 June 2005. Retrieved 22 June 2024. It was "Mildred Turner Day" on Monday at Kingsway Academy as students, faculty and parents bid farewell to the school's principal Mrs Turner.
  6. ^ Lamirand, Bob (13 January 1987). "School Board Drops Rick Fox Appeal". Times Union. Warsaw, Indiana. p. 1. Retrieved 22 June 2024.

Official website

25°03′12″N 77°18′34″W / 25.05333°N 77.30944°W / 25.05333; -77.30944