NEWELL, St Elizabeth — Students and teachers at two schools here will have access to renovated facilities in September courtesy of the philanthropic efforts of the Todd family and donors.

The facilities — a modern classroom and upgraded bathroom — were handed over at Newell High and Geneva Primary schools last Friday.

Clive Todd Jr, a fifth-generation member of the family, said the neighbouring schools received a well-needed facelift.

“[At Newell] what we did was to adopt the grade seven classroom and we have totally transformed it. We have installed tiles, air conditioning. We provided them with a 65-inch flat screen TV. We provided them with 30 desks and chairs and the teacher with a desk and a chair. We have also provided lighting and other amenities to the school,” Todd Jr said following ribbon-cutting ceremonies at both schools.

During the ceremony at Newell the Todd family also pledged more than $200,000 towards the school’s feeding programme.

Newell High Principal Audrey Ellington expressed gratitude for the renovated classroom.

“Thank you all. Thanks to [Clive Todd] Jr and Nasandra [Todd]. They came and looked at what we have here and they chose the classroom that they wanted to renovate. We want to say thank you to everyone,” she said.

“We are most gracious and we humbly thank you for your love for community, family and most of all for education. We thank you very much,” said Ellington before presenting a certificate of appreciation to the Todd family.

Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western Floyd Green used the ceremony to announce that Newell High is to be expanded.

“We are in the procurement phase where we are selecting a contractor to build a new classroom block for the Newell High School. In fact, not only will they have 10 additional classes, they will have additional laboratories and as part of the project we are also going to renovate some of the existing areas like the technical areas… and the installation of air conditioning,” said Green.

At Geneva Primary School, Principal Desrine Gordon lauded the Todd family and donors for renovating the school’s bathrooms.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the history of the Geneva Primary School. While it may seem small to some this ribbon-cutting represents something bigger than the renovation of our bathrooms. As an institution we believe that every aspect of the learning environment matters from the classroom to the canteen to the tuck shop to the bathrooms,” said Gordon.

“This project improves not only our facilities, but also the dignity, safety and comfort of our staff and students. Clean modern and accessible bathrooms are of vital importance… it is a clear message that we care about our students,” added Gordon.

She pointed to those who made the renovation a success.

“This renovation wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors, the Todd family, Caribbean Broilers Group, Jen R Us Hardware, Mountain View Villa, Rural Roots Corp, Superstar Living, , [Josh Group] and other donors from the private sector. Thank you for investing in our school, Todd family. Hats off to you and for investing in the well-being of our staff and students. This is a reminder that every improvement, big or small, adds to a better nurturing place for learning and growth,” said Gordon.

Todd Jr explained the extent of the bathroom renovation.

“We handed over a renovated bathroom facility where we installed eight toilets. We have provided them with all the amenities for the bathroom. We put in lighting, tiles, mirrors… We put in flush urinals for the boys and partitions which never existed before. We also installed standing showers,” he said.

“For both projects we have spent over $2 million,” added Todd Jr as he pointed out that Newcombe Valley Primary benefited from a similar project in 2012 with a $1.4-million bathroom facility.

Todd Jr’s business partner and cousin, Nasandra Todd, said the bathroom renovation was a priority.

“For [decades] this school had not been renovated, so we decided that it would be a good give-back project to the community. It has been almost 40 years, it is well overdue. The principal and students here were extremely grateful and we are thankful as a family that we were able to execute it,” said Nasandra Todd.

The cousins said they will continue to contribute to the development of the community as they will be launching two businesses — Rural Roots and Superstar Living focused on irrigation, solar and community-based tourism.

“We will be coming back to do more in the community and we are opening two businesses in the community. We are committed to giving support where we can,” said Todd Jr.

Educator and People’s National Party aspirant for St Elizabeth South Western Miranda Wellington joined those commending the Todd family.

“I want to say to you [thanks for] your immense contribution to this public-private partnership of enhancing the school environment and giving children another chance, because coming to school is not just about learning, it is about socialisation and if you socialise in a clean environment your education will be enhanced,” she said.

“You are leading by example and I want you to be that kind of empowerment to the rest of the people who are abroad, who are from communities just like Newell and Watchwell who can give back and that is the kind of relationship that I want to see building right across the length and breadth of our school systems in south-west,” added Wellington.

The renovated bathroom at Geneva Primary School

Clive Todd Jr (left), Charmaine Williams, and Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western Floyd Green inside the renovated grade seven classroom at Newell High School last Friday.

Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western Floyd Green (right), joins Principal of Newell High Audrey Ellington (second right) and Todd family members, (from left), Clive Todd Jr, Nasandra Todd, and Charmaine Williams at the ribbon cutting for the renovated grade seven classroom at the school last Friday.