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The burgeoning Yellow Elder,

The government of the day, in order to meet the needs of these growing areas, realized that the erection of a primary school was necessary to accommodate the overflow students. A group of educators worked for six months to prepare the school for opening.

They made work cards, games, puzzles, and duplicated work and went from school to school soliciting books. Some of the materials used to make items mentioned were purchased with funds made from cookouts and donations from Mr. Garvin Tynes, (Former Education Officer of M.O.E.)

 

All of this was done in preparation for the opening of the new school then known as Yellow Elder Number II Primary.

 

C. W. Sawyer Primary School is located on Graham Drive in Yellow Elder Gardens No. II. It is a team teaching school consisting of eight learning centers, an auditorium, a library, a staff room, computer room and administrative offices. This prefabricated structure is one of many designed by the Panelfab Company of America.

The school opened its doors to students for the first time on September 4, 1975. The nine hundred and sixty students came from a number of schools in the immediate area. Under the supervision of the principal, Mrs. Katrina Cartwright, vice principal, Mrs. Shirley Greene; two senior mistresses Mrs. Rosalie Simms and Miss Joan Culmer; eight team leaders; Arlene Newbold,  Angela McKinney,  Cleomie Burrows,  Francina Thurston, Carolyn Adderley, Elma Garraway, Irene Maycock and Doris Culmer.  They selected the school’s motto: “Together We Aspire”. Additional staff member were; Flora Rose, Betty Simmons, Sandra Goodman, Joyce McDonald, Victoria Sawyer, Shirley Turnquest, Primrose Chase, Patricia Pinder, Eileen Coakley-Turner, Muriel Dean, Enid Capron, Vandyke McKenzie, Sylvia Bethel, Paulette Johnson, Sharon Pratt, Patricia Richardson, Ruthnell Smith,  Loreen Moss, Patricia Bazzard and Judy Whymns.

On Monday, October 17, 1975 the former Primer Minister, The Honourable Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, officially opened the school. At this impressive ceremony, which was carried live over our local radio station ZNS, Mr. Charles Walpole Sawyer, The educator in whose honour the school was named, was present and was formally recognized. Mr. Sawyer made a tremendous contribution to the educational development of this country with more than forty-five years of service which extended from a monitor in his native island of Eleuthera to head teacher at Eastern Senior and Western Junior Schools in New Providence.

The world heavyweight-boxing champion Muhammad Ali was also present at the opening ceremony and planted a Crepe Myrtle tree to commemorate the opening.

 

Since its inception, the school’s chief objective was to develop the ‘whole child’.

 

In constant quest of this goal, the school programmes emphasize the academics as well as sports, music and the extra curricular activities of the Red Cross Link, Boys Club, Chess Club, Brownies, Student Christian Movement, Dance Troupe, and several Sports Clubs.  

 

Former principals of C. W. Sawyer Primary School are Mrs. Katrina Cartwright, Mrs. Thelma Ford (deceased) Mrs. Sylvia Ross, Mrs. Ena Miller, Mrs. Alfreda Cooper, Mr. Shedrach Johnson, Mrs. Lorraine Lightbourne (deceased) and Mrs. Cleomie Burrows.

Presently, the ninth principal is Mrs. Constance Saunders. The present vice principal is Mrs. Cecelia Gardiner. The two senior mistresses are Mrs. Joan M. Knowles (Upper School) and Mrs. Sheanda R. Maycock (Lower School)

 

 

Mr. Charles Walpole Sawyer

Mr. Charles W. Sawyer was born on November 2, 1910 in the settlement of Savannah, Eleuthera. He imparted knowledge in the field of Education for 57 years (1929 – 1986).

He was married to the late Hazel Evangeline, daughter of the late Mr. C.I. Gibson. They had ten children.

Mr. Sawyer served as a Student Teacher, Pupil Teacher and a Headmaster. Although a disciplinarian, Mr. Sawyer often used his power of persuasion to appeal to his students’ better judgments in situations.

In 1975, in recognition of his outstanding contributions in education in The Bahamas, this school was named in his honour - C.W. Sawyer Primary School.

On June 14, 1986, at the age of 85, Mr. Sawyer died.