School history

 

The first teacher at Man-O-War Cay was Mr. John Russell. He started teaching in the late 1890’s in the Church of England and taught at Man-O-War for two years. He was the father of Mrs. Eliza Sands.

 

Gospel Hall was the next location for the school up on the hill above the Quarry on Man-O-War. Mr. Post, an American, taught for five years, then Mrs. Berdina Roberts, known as “Mrs. Birdie”, Mrs. Eliza Russell and Mr. Richardson Sands also taught in the Gospel Hall on the Hill.

 

Mr. John Malone came next from Hope Town to teach for four years and upon his being transferred, Uncle Norman Albury taught one week at Guana Cay and one week at the Man-O-War School. Then Mr. Maitland Malone of Hope Town became teacher for a year. School was held at that time, in Joe Albury’s house.

 

Mr. Robbie Sands taught in the first schoolhouse on Man-O-War. A small house was brought from Jerico, Wilson City, Abaco in 1921 and placed on land given by Mammy Nellie, a founder of Man-O-War. This building was destroyed in the 1932 hurricane.

 

Mr. Lewis Albury taught school in the Methodist Church during 1933 while a new school was built. It was constructed from Long Leaf American Pine salvaged from a Hope Town building. Mr. Ivan J. Russell of Marsh Harbour replaced Mr. Lewis. He taught from 1940 to the spring of 1945.

 

In April of 1945, Mr. Haziel Albury was appointed Head Teacher of the Man-O-War School. He taught grades 1 to 8 with no paid help for five years. In 1950, Betty Albury (Kroon) was appointed to help with the lower grades. Several individuals assisted Mr. Albury for varying periods of time during his tenure. These were Vashti Albury (Thompson) from 1952 to 1963, Minerva Albury (Lowe) from 1962 to 1965, Lily Albury from 1965 to 1977, and Mary Albury from 1960 to 1977. In September 1977, Mr. Albury resigned due to ill health.

 

Mr. Tony Green was stationed at the school during the fall of 1977 and was later joined by Mr. Jeff Key. Debbie Hyle taught at the school during this period also. Mr. Rodney Smith was appointed Principal, replacing Mr. Green, and was joined by his wife, Naomi, as part of the teaching staff.

 

In September 1985, Lorraine Sands Lee, a graduate of the Man-O-War School, returned ‘home’ to become a teacher. In August of 1986, Mr. and Mrs. Smith were transferred and Mrs. Lee was appointed Principal. Mrs. Lee taught all grades by herself until Mary Kay Westhoven joined her from January 1987 to August 1992.

 

In August 1991, it was discovered that termites infested the school. The damage was so extensive, the building had to be destroyed. The Ministry of Education rented a building on the island as a temporary school.

 

Mrs. Kellie Janes officially joined the faculty in September 1991 after several years of volunteering her services. Due to a tremendous effort led by Mrs. Lee, an enormous amount of support was raised from the Government and community for the construction of a replacement for the school. Classes began in the new, larger, air conditioned, concrete block facility in September 1993.

 

During this period, along with Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Janes, other teachers joined and left the school. They included Karen Catalyn from September 1992 to June 1994, Judy Damoff from May 1993 to August 1995 and Deanna Stecker from January 1995 to June 1995. Judy Roberts was posted to the school in November 1995.

 

Mrs. Lee resigned her position in June 1997 after 12 years of service to pursue other interests. Mrs. Janes was appointed Principal.

 

In January 1998, Mr. Larry Elkins began teaching at the Man-O-War School. Judy Roberts left in June of that year.

 

From August 2002 until June 2006, Mrs. Patricia Bethel was on the staff as Art, Computer and Spanish Resource teacher.

 

In the fall of 2005, an addition to the school was begun. It is to be a resource room for Science, Computers, and Art. This room is being constructed and furnished through the generosity of many second homeowners and locals to honor the memory of Mr. Eddie Albury who passed away in 2004. The room will be named “Mr. Eddie’s Room” during the dedication ceremony.

 

Today, assisting the staff, the teaching and learning continues as in the past, with help from the wonderful parents, dedicated volunteers and unsurpassed community support.