Port Royal Primary School will this week host a public fun day celebrating “90 years of excellence in education and community spirit”.

All residents were invited to the event including alumni, families, friends and neighbours for a lively fair sponsored by the PTA. It will feature free fun castles, free bike rides and engaging lawn games.

The event will also feature school tours, surprises and opportunities to reminisce and connect. Food and beverages will be on sale and attendees are invited to bring tents and chairs.

Port Royal’s journey began in 1934 when the property was purchased and a new school building constructed.

It was officially founded in September 1935, opening its doors to students with three original houses; Port House, Royal House and School House.

At the outset, there were only 27 students under the founder and first principal Amanda M T Eustace. It was born out of another school, Greenfield School, Southampton and moved to its present location with its new name.

A spokeswoman for the school said: “Mrs Eustace was known to have set the high standard of education for which Port Royal has been known. She was educated in England, where she trained at Truro Teacher Training College in Cornwall, and relocated to Bermuda in 1930 with her husband.

“She started Greenfield School. Children at Port Royal paid a fee of 1/6d per week and were taught reading, writing, arithmetic, history and geography, along with needlework for girls and woodwork for boys.

“Southampton was an open countryside, so most children came from farming homes.”

Over the decades, the school evolved from its early beginnings as a school for White people only. Sir Reginald Conyers, for whom Conyers House was named, donated to the school with a condition; he would only donate a substantial amount of £68,121 in August 1948, provided Port Royal remained a White people-only school.

The spokeswoman said: “This was an era where both Black and Portuguese children were discriminated against.

“As time passed, Port Royal broke racial barriers and expanded to meet the needs of a growing, diverse community.

“The school became fully integrated in 1965 and has continued to make history, including overcoming challenges such as a major fire in 1966.

“Through resilience and unity, Port Royal Primary stands as a pillar of strength and inclusivity in Bermuda.”

Today, Port Royal has 89 students under the leadership of principal Joanne Dill.

The spokeswoman added: “The school remains committed to academic excellence and fostering a welcoming environment for all.

“It has produced countless renowned citizens in our community, such as gold medallist Flora Duffy, reinsurance icon Patrick Tannock and scientist Carika Weldon, all three of whom have endorsed the new Port Royal Primary School Alumni Association.”

The school’s PTA created the alumni association last year for former students and staff to reconnect.

In the event of inclement weather, cancellation updates will be posted on the PTA's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PortRoyalPTA by Thursday.