Sir Jack Hayward High School

Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, Prime Minister, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, officially opens Jack Hayward High School, 28th January 1998.
(click photo to enlarge)

From THE FREEPORT NEWS, 28 January, 1998

"Under sunny skies and cool breeze, a cross section of community minded and civic persons along with government officials, parents, students and faculty of Pioneers' Loop Secondary School yesterday witnessed the historical official opening of the learning institution by Prime Minister, the Hon. Hubert Ingraham.

Sir Jack Hayward delivers his remarks to invited guests and students at Jack Hayward High School.
(click photo to enlarge)

Prior to the unveiling of the plaque by Mrs. Frances Singer-Hayward, who completed the honours on behalf of her husband, Sir Jack Hayward, Prime Minister Ingraham told the large gathering that what is happening was just the beginning of great things to come in Grand Bahama in terms of educating the young people of this community.

During his brief address, an electrified Sir Jack said he was overwhelmed, because he "never had so many nice things said about him in his whole life, in one short morning." Sir Jack, who received a standing ovation, said "it is one of the greatest honors I have had in my whole life; I am going to cherish this moment, and enjoy it to the fullest..."

Pioneers' Loop Secondary School, now Jack Hayward High School, and its sister school, located at Goombay Land (now St. George High School) were built with a seven million dollar contribution toward their construction from the Grand Bahama Port Authority. PLSS opened its doors to students on Monday, 4th September, 1995 with a student population of 1313 and a staff of 83. This was preceded by a summer long exodus from the old campus in Hawksbill from which furniture and supplies had been carted so that the classrooms and staffrooms at the new premise would be ready for occupancy. The student body of Hawksbill High School had been divided between the two new schools, each with Junior and Senior High status.

Additions, such as housing for the vocational programmes, erected in 1997, were made continually. At the end of the 1996-97 school year, the highest success rate ever, in terms of students who met graduation requirements was achieved.

The school moved in phases to become a full-fledged Senior High School - shedding its Junior/Senior High status and in 1997, it was decided, by Prime Minister Ingraham, to name the school after its patron and benefactor, Sir Jack Hayward. Jack Hayward High School was officially opened on Thursday, 29th January, 1998 and amid much fanfare and celebration, the large, assorted group assembled on that beautiful January morning, to witness yet another chapter of Grand Bahama history being made.