Wesley College Bahamas

Highlights for Academic Year 2010/2011:

1. During this calendar year, Wesley College, the first private High School in Abaco, celebrated our 22^nd Anniversary (February 27th.)
2. Improvements of the use of technology in the learning process, including more use of PowerPoint presentations in the classroom.
3. E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Performance:  Wesley College placed Second in the Concert Band Division. The school entered the Folk Dance Division for the first time.
4. Completed research on Abaco's Shore and ocean reef ecosystems, as part of the Integrated Coursework Programme.
5. Placed Third in the Senior High, Junior High and Upper Primary Divisions of the Friends of the Environment Annual Abaco Science Fair.
6. Participation of Wesley College students in concert with The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, leading to a special relationship with the Abaco Division of the RBPF.
7. Continued development of programmes for challenged/marginalised students including speech therapy, dyslexia, ADHD management and at-risk male students.
8. Marked Improvement in the BGCSE performance, with Grade Eight obtaining A - C in 100% of thr BJC aubjects taken.
9. Jarro Curry placed fourth in the National Primary School Spanish Spelling Bee.
10. Annual Summer Band Camp - in conjunction with The Abaco Foundation, the Bahamas Dance Theatre and Geogia's School of Dance. Featured traditional Bahamian dances. Culminated in one hour performance an Abaco's Independence Celebrations.

A Memorial Service

 For the late

Sheila McDonald

(Retired Senior Customs Officer)

will be held at

 Aldersgate Methodist Church,

Don McKay Boulevard, Marsh Harbour

at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 17^th, 2011

Ms. McDonald is the mother of Mr. Justin McDonald, CPA, Valedictorian and Head Prefect of the Class of 1996.

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Charles Leo Carey, Prominent Grants Town Businessman Dies, aged 81 
 

Leo Carey, a prominent Nassau businessman, died at his home on Tuesday, March 8, the family announced today.

Charles Leo Carey was born to William Albert and Madeline Elizabeth Carey at Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera, on Wednesday, January 22, 1930.

After completing his education at the Tarpum Bay All-age school, Leo moved to Nassau to make a livelihood for himself. With his brother, Otis, he started a store on Blue Hill Road , opposite to Dr. Claudius Walker’s Reinhardt Hotel. In May, 1954, he married Dorothy Louise McCartney, and together, they raised twelve children.

In the 1960’s Leo and his family built a two-storey structure on Market Street, operating the Leo’s Department Store, selling groceries, dry goods and notions downstairs, and living upstairs. He constructed all of his homes, assisted by the expert craftsmen he surrounded himself with. The Malcolm Road Homestead included the children, cutting into the rock with hand tools. A man of compassion, he often opened the shop, late at night (or had one of the older children do it) to cater to a customer, who needed to feed a hungry baby. During this era, he partnered with Bert Cambridge to produce a Sunday afternoon Variety Show on ZNS. The show would feature music by Mr. Cambridge and Charlie Adamson, solos by Sidney Young and riddles by Leo Carey, with his trademark slogan, “If I een caat it, I’ll cet it for you.”  He lived by this declaration: customers were never to be told “een none”, items out of stock were purchased from neighbouring stores.

Leo showed more than a passing interest in music. Influenced, no doubt by Mr. Adamson, he took up the guitar. At one point a piano was bought, and Charles was sent to Mr. W. A. G Bain’s School of music, but he deferred to the trombone and the trumpet. Michael mastered the guitar, Derek the drums, but the grand-children eclipsed them in all musical skills.

The son of a Methodist Lay Preacher, Leo preached in the Evangelistic Centre at

Tarpum Bay as a young man. In Nassau , he and his family made Wesley Methodist Church their spiritual home. He often read his Bible early in the morning after opening his store, or had Charles read it to him, before going off to school. His favourite Scripture Reading was Psalm 8. During his confinement, when visitors came, they would frequently receive a pontifical blessing from him. Recently, his Sister visited and wanted to make sure he had made his peace with God. He declared: “The Lord is my Shepherd!”

Leo also networked with other businessmen in the area, including Sir Milo Butler, George Nottage, Wilfred Bowe, Herbert Minnis, and Alvin Ingraham. He was an Officer in the Bahamas Business League, and worked with Dr. Walker for the establishment of the Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge in the

Bahamas. He actively supported the cause for Majority Rule by financial donations and in the campaign fo SirArthur Foulkes in Grants Town.

He built scores of houses which were rented, primarily to young families moving to the city from the family islands. Not being afraid to get his hands dirty, he operated The Bahamas Pumping Service for many years. In the 1970’s Leo decided to extend his operations by building and operating the 21-room

Sir Charles Hotel on East Street South . The complex provided store space which enabled several of the children to launch their own businesses. He also helped his brother, Kenneth, and others establish enterprises. He could balance the business cheque book in his head.

Farming was the mainstay of the Allen Clan, of Tarpum Bay for centuries. They cultivated pineapples and tomatoes on over five hundred acres of farmland on the islands of Eleuthera and Cat Island. A farmer at heart, Leo always had agricultural projects in play. He produced tomatoes, raised chickens, pigs, goats, cows and sheep. The two-acre family estate on

Malcolm Road was planted with fruit trees. He was also an avid fisherman.

About fifteen years ago, Leo was hospitalized for about six months, and diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm. After returning home, he curtailed his activities significantly. Several years ago, he started showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. He was hospitalised twice this year. He returned home, singing “Jesus loves me, this I know,” just a few days before his demise. On the afternoon of March 8, 2011, he quietly left the earth for a better home.

He was predeceased by his step-mother, Olive Carey, his son Paul Carey, and his brother, Otis Carey.

His survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Dorothy Carey.Their children John and Vrynae, Charles and Vernelle, Michael and Delphine, Leo Jr., Derek and Rosamunde, Ricardo and Shanna, Susan, Judy, Barbara, and Sharon Carey, Katherine Carroll, Lateasha and Richard Lowe; Adopted Daughter Betty Carey-Sweeting; Thirty-eight grand-children, sixteen great-grandchildren, and numerous other relatives and friends.

The Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Charles Leo Carey was held at  Wednesday, March 16, 2010, Grants Town Wesley Methodist Church, at 10:00 a.m.

Flag presentation at the Opening Ceremony of the Darts Tournament of the Americas, 2010

The 2009-2010 School Year ended with an impressive Valedictory Service on June 10, 2010.

Graduates were: O’Ryan Johnson-Bethel (High School), Lavelle Arnett and Demeko Thompson (Primary School, and Irwin Young (Early Learning Centre).

Special Guests included Mr. Leslie Rolle, representing the Department of Education,  Mrs. Cecile Albury, Principal of Agape, Ms. Mechele Lowe, Principal of Cherokee Primary School,Mr. Jamal McIntosh (Class of 2003), and Mr. Denton Gay (Class of (2009).

A solo was rendered by Mrs. Althea Simms, mother of Demeko Thompson.

As usual, music was the highlight of the evening, and the School Band, under the direction of Reverend Charles Carey, was in top form. Selections reflected the groups extensive repertoire, including Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance”, “Clarinet a la King” and “Majesty”, rendered with a strong Junkanoo beat, The feature presentation was “Austrian Hymn”.

Celebrating 22 Years of Education for Excellence! 

Wesley College, the first private High School in Abaco,  was established in February, 1989, under the auspices of the Methodist Church, and is grant-aided by the Bahamas Ministry of Education.

Reverend Charles Carey, B.A., Dip. Min. Founding Principal

Kneeling: Cornelia Reckley and Lakeisha Burrows; standing: Simeon Pinder, Reverend Chrles Carey,  Ronaldo Curry. Mrs. Sybil Ferguson, Mrs. Esther Williams,  Jamal McIntosh, Mrs. Vernelle Carey, Miss. Florette Vassell, Mr. Don Cornish, Rasul Nightingale. 

Grade Eight students secure 100% A - C in the 2011 GJC Examinations!

Dre' Hepburn and Kandise Kelly, of Wesley College's  Grade Eight obtained all of their BJC subjects taken in this year's exams. Special Congratulations to Dre' for obtaining the school's best BJC results this year!

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Students perform with the Royal Bahamas Police Band.

Charles L V Carey, of Wesley College, Plays in concert with the Royal Bahamas Police Band.

Kandise Kelly, of Wesley College, Plays in concert with the Royal Bahamas Police Band. 

In Memoriam

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of a member of the Wesley College family. Dominic Dawkins, former Head Prefect and graduate, died in hospital this morning. Our sincere condolences are extended to his family.

Please visit Wesley College Bahamas on Facebook, to pay your respects.

March Update

Mrs. Jane Adderley hosted her Annual Tea Party in New Providence last Sunday. Mrs. Adderley has been holding the Tea Party as a fund-raiser for Wesley College for 20 years. The event co-coincided with her 80th. Birthday. The Principal, Vice-Principal and four students travelled to Nassau for the function, with the stud...ents providing musical selections. Wesley College expresses appreciation to Mrs Adderley for her stalwart support over the years. 

Our school participated in the National Arts Festival on Monday. The Concert Band and Brigade Marching Band, with Charles Carey as a soloist performed for the adjudicators from Nassau. Although two band members were not feeling well, they put on a splendid performance and were commended by the judges.

 Friday, March 12, Senior Students participated in a workshop, which  provided them with College and Scholarship information.

Thursday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m., the Abaco presentation of Outstanding Students in Bahamian Schools was held at Below Decks, Great Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour. O’Ryan Johnson-Bethel, Paige Archer and Charles L. V. Carey from Wesley College will be honoured.

Friday March 19, at 10 a.m., the Annual Modern Language Arts Festival was held at Wesley College. The programme featured songs, skits, informational presentations and dances, under the direction of Ms. Mahalia Levarity. Following the programme, gusests were treated to Spanish cuisine.

The Band will perform at the Abaco Agricultural Expo on April 17th. Students will also be participating in the Craft Show. Please give them your support

Classes will end at noon on Friday, March 26, 2010, for all students.Disaster In Haiti

Please pray for the people of Haiti, as they deal with probably the worst disaster to his this region in recent years.

What's New?

• Find us on

• Boys' Brigade in the Bahamas to celebrate 101st Anniversary. 
• BJC results show big improvement!
• 2009 E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Results: Denton Gay - National Winner, Instrumental solo (woodwind);
  Boys' and Girls' Brigade Band - second place - Marching Band;
  Wesley College Band - Third Place, Marching Band;
  Wesley College Band, Second Place - Concert Band;
  Denton Gay - National Winner - Popular Dances (Solo)

   

• Summer Band/Dance Camp a success!

• Summer Band/Dance Camp a success!