History of Our School
History of Our School
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On Monday September 18 1995, the Pinewood Gardens Primary School situated at the corners of Buttonwood Avenue and Pinewood Drive, opened its door for the first time. Mrs. Florence Pratt served as the first principal and was assisted by Mrs. Vanessa Coakley as Vice Principal and Mrs. Hazel Hunt as Senior Mistress. Thirteen (13) teachers were posted to welcome and serve some three hundred, seventy-one (371) eager students. The new school environment was a delight for everyone.
This community school where 90 percent (90%) of its students came from the immediate pinewood Gardens and Nassau Village areas became a catalyst for parental involvement resulting in a vibrant Parent Teachers Association (P. T. A). Working hand in hand with the administration, this group got the school off to an excellent start.
In October 1996, the second phase of the school’s infrastructure was completed. Additions included the Science Laboratory, the preschool unit and fourteen (14) additional classrooms. The student population increased to seven hundred forty eight (748), requiring the posting of an additional sixteen (16) teachers. It was at this time that Mrs. Clara McPhee joined the staff as Senior Mistress. The school also welcomed its first music teacher Mrs. Veronica Cartwright.
In 1997 Mrs. Helen Simmons Johnson became Principal of this Institution of Excellence and served in this capacity until 2006.
On May 14 1998, at the official opening of the school, by the Rt. Hon. Hubert Alexander Ingraham Prime Minister, the school’s name was changed to Cleveland Eneas Primary, in honor of a great Bahamian dentist Dr. Cleveland W. Eneas, whose life and legacy epitomized all and more of what we wish our students to aspire.
The school has experienced many changes since its opening. In 1999, Spanish was introduced to the upper level classes. In 2000, a pilot computerization program was initiated at the fourth grades level, which later led to the establishment of the computer laboratory, and the general use of computers as teaching and learning tools within the schools.
In January 2004, the administrative team was increased when Mrs. Linda Moultrie-Missick joined the staff as Vice Principal in order to assist Eloise Bullard who was not well. In June of that same year, Mrs. Eloise Bullard passed away. Fond memories will always be a part of our school’s history.
In September 2005, Mrs. Linda Moultrie-Missick was promoted and became the third principal and Mrs. Patricia Chisholm was assigned as Vice Principal. The team continued to steer the school on to excellence.
On the retirement of Mrs. Joan Sturrup, Senior Mistress in 2006, Mr. Clinton Josey Sr. was promoted to Senior Master, representing the first male administrator at the school.
In August 2008, administrative changes came again with Mr. Milton Lewis and Mrs. Francina Cambridge joined the staff as Principal and Vice principal respectively.
In August 2009, Mrs. Yolanda Rolle and Ms. Patricia Minnis joined as Senior Mistress and Administrative Assistant respectively.
On August 28 2011, Mr. Albert Clarke Jr. and Mrs. Hattie Moncur assumed the leadership of this outstanding institution as Principal and Senior Mistress respectively.
In September 2012, Mrs. Dorothea Thompson joined the staff as Vice Principal replacing Mrs. Francina Cambridge who was transferred to Grand Bahama.
In August 2014, the administrative team experienced changes again with Mrs. Patrice Bodie assuming the position as Principal replacing Mr. Albert Clarke Jr. and in January 2015, Mrs. Dian Francis-Hanna was promoted from our very own teaching staff to Senior Mistress.
In 2017 Mrs. Yolanda Rolle was promoted and replaced Mrs. Dorothea Thompson as Vice Principal and in 2019 Mrs. Anna Strachan was promoted to Senior Mistress.
In 2019, Mrs. Patrice Bodie was promoted t District Education Officer. Yolanda Rolle and Mr. Sherado Gibson then assumed the leadership of this great institution as Principal and Vice- Principal respectively. Mrs. Sanda Lewis-Hanna also joined the administrative team as Senior Mistress.
Presently, Cleveland Eneas Primary school has an enrollment of 812 students, 5 administrators 37 teachers, 3 guidance counselors and 15 support staff members and 3 teachers’ aide. The administrative team currently comprises of Yolanda Rolle - Acting-Principal, Sherado Gibson - Acting-Vice-Principal, Senior Mistresses - Dian Hanna and Anna Strachan and Sandra Lewis Hanna.
Our Patron
Our Patron
Mr. Cleveland Eneas Sr.
Mr. Cleveland Eneas Sr.
1915-1995
1915-1995
Cleveland Wilmore Eneas was born in Bain Town on July 5, 1915 of parents both of whom were descendants of Yorubas and themselves born in Bain Town. His father was the late Bishop W.V. Eneas and his mother was Arabella Ferguson-Eneas of Ferguson Street.
“Cleve” was educated in the public school of Nassau-the Old Boys Central School, Western Senior and the old Government High School. At the age of sixteen he left The Bahamas to attend Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, Where he finished high school, was trained as a printer and taught to play the violin.
In 1937 he received his Bachelor of Science Degree from this same institution which qualified him teach tenth grade Biology. His education continued at Meharry Medical College where he acquired a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree in 1941. He taught Gross Anatomy and Dental Anatomy at Meharry for five years then he returned to Nassau to practice in 1947.
Cleveland W. Eneas is a Bahamian “institution”. Every facet of Bahamian life has been touched by his contributions. He was the first black Bahamian dentist and the first Dental Registrar. He was the founding member and Vice-President of the People’s Penny Savings Bank Limited. He also served his country in the Upper Chamber of Parliament as a Senator. He was involved in the decision-making in many profit and non-profit organizations in the private and public sectors. Some of these were City Markets Limited, Southern and Nassau Public Libraries, the Southern Division of the Golf Association for the Mentally Retarded, several school boards and the Boys Brigade.
He is the founding member of The Kiwanis Club of Nassau and a Toastmaster. Other civic involvements were Member of the Airport Board, Member of the Public Service Commission, Member of the Police Commission, President of the Boys’ Brigade Council, President of The Bahama Islands Dental Association, Deputy President of the Red Cross Society, a Director of the Board of IBM Bahamas Limited, a member of the Board of Directors of Home Insurance Company, a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Bahamas Historical Society and a Member of the Friends of the Archives.
A man of strong religious beliefs, he served as Superintendent of the Sunday School, Elder and Preacher in St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. In his honour, the church has established the “Eneas Memorial Parlour”. An author interested in the preservation of Bahamian history, he wrote three books- “Tuskegee Ra! Ra!” (an autobiography of his youth), “Bain Town” and “Let The Church Roll On”. In August 1988, in Meredith, Mississippi, the office of the Mayor declared the 19th and 20th, Dr. Cleveland Eneas’ Days, commending him for his many accomplishments.
The life of this great man exemplified the spirit of a Christian gentleman, husband and father. Through his teaching and personal example he has molded the lives of many. His widow and longtime companion was Muriel Frazer-Eneas. Their children followed his footsteps in the medical profession- Cleveland W. Eneas Jr, D.D.S. who was his father’s dental partner, Judson F. Eneas, M.D. and Agreta Eneas-Carey, M.D., all practicing in Nassau.
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