The Tribune

Red Bays, Andros - The Red Bays Primary school was renamed the Bertram A Newton Primary School at a ceremony held on Friday, January 6. Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said he was "pleased" to join the people of Andros in honouring Rev Bertram Newton. "The renaming of the Red Bays Primary School serves as our recognition and appreciation of Reverend Newton's 40 years of service to education in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas," said Mr Ingraham. "Through his efforts, the children of Red Bays have learned about both their African and Seminole Indian ancestry and also of the efforts of the settlers in Red Bays to bring development to North Andros." Rev. Newton said he was "humbled" to receive such an honour. "You must suffer sometimes before you have success," said Rev Newton. "I thank God for this day. Thank you God." Rev Newton dedicated more than 41 years of his life to educating the children of Red Bays. The school was founded in l935 by his father, Eldrick E Newton, who taught until his drowning death in Nassau in 1949. Stepping into his father's shoes, Bertram Newton applied for and was granted the post of head teacher of the school and started teaching as the only teacher in l951. He taught the children of Red Bays under a thatch-roof tent for five years until it collapsed in l956. After much perseverance, in l959, John McDonald led the men of Nicholl's Town in constructing the first stone building in the history of Red Bays to house the school. Rev Newton was handed the keys to the building in l960. He went on to The Bahamas Teachers College in Nassau for training and returned to Red Bays one year later. Rev Newton taught at the school until his retirement in l991. Today, although retired, the Rev Newton still works with the children of Red Bays.