Royal Commonwealth Society : Achimota College (A.W.E. Winlaw collection)

Winlaw, A W E, fl 1954-1959

Royal Commonwealth Society

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Achimota College and School began in 1924 with the arrival in the Gold Coast of the first Principal, A.G. Fraser, and the original members of his staff, and it was formally opened in 1927. The development of other educational institutions in the Gold Coast and the diversion of many of its activities elsewhere led to its renaming as Achimota School in 1948. At this time the post of Principal was renamed Headmaster.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Collection of loose prints documenting the history of the school, some taken by the Information Services of the Gold Coast/Ghana, while others are amateur photographs. Unless stated otherwise, most are approximately 210 x 160 mm. The majority date from the Headship of Mr A.W.E. Winlaw (1954-59) and include views of buildings put up in that period, particularly the Assembly Hall and the Girls Gymnasium. He was also responsible for a Chapel and an Armoury for the Cadet Corps. Alan Rudwick, Headmaster of Achimota from 1965-77, and a member of its staff since 1951, took many of the photographs himself. He has identified others, indicating some pupils and staff members whose subsequent careers were of particular interest. The photographs have been arranged in five groups:</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>1-5 views of the Principal's House, pre-1935</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>6-43 major events, including Founder's Day celebrations</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>44-61 aerial photographs</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>62-178 miscellaneous views of School events and activities</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>179-216 groups.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The school’s Principals and Head Masters in the first fifty years have been:</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>H.M. Grace, 1935-41</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>R.W. Stopford, 1941-45 (see Y30448H/3 and Y30448I/12)</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>H.C. Neill, 1946-49 (see Y30448H/5)</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>P.G. Rendall, 1949-53 (see Y30448I/6)</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>A.W.E. Winlaw, 1954-59</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>D.A. Chapman Nyaho, 1959-63 (see Y30448I/35, 37)</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>I.K. Chinebuah, 1963-65</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>A.P. Rudwick, 1965-77.</p>