History

There is evidence that a secondary school was in operation in Grand Turk in 1920 however the year 1921 is listed as the starting date for the institution that is today called the H. J. Robinson High School. 

The opening of this institution was an important milestone in this country’s history.  For the first time, students could receive an education beyond the Primary level.  At that time, education was not free, and as a result, only the children of parents who could afford to pay for their children's education attended the institution. This changed in 1962, and all students could attend, including children from the Caicos Islands. A growing population led to the campus moving to its present location on Mission Folly. 

This institution has been known by three names, the Senior School, Turks & Caicos High School (from 1972), and the H.J. Robinson High School from 1990. The current name of the institution by which it has been called since about 1990 came when the institution was renamed in 1989 after distinguished educator and member of the inaugural batch of graduates from the institution, Miss. Helena Jones Robinson.   She began her teaching career at her alma mater after completing her studies at the Shortwood Teacher’s College in Jamaica. During her forty-four years of service, Miss Robinson was promoted to the position of Principal of the institution.  Miss Robinson acted as Principal from 1967-1969 and then served as the Principal from 1967 until 1969. The first local headmistress of this institution ultimately was named the Patron of this institution.

Mr. C.E. Crawford, from Barbados was the first Principal of this institution and Miss Olivia Tatem served as the assistant teacher. He served in that capacity from 1921 until 1949 when he was replaced by Mr. W. Pearson.  Other Principals that served the institution in its early years are as follows: Mr. W. Pearson (1950-1952), Mr. Clifford Jones (1952-1957), Mr. Gladstone Fletcher (1957-1959) Mr. Charles Best (1961-1966), Mr. Gordon Medford (1966-1967), Mr. Leroy Innis (1971-1973), Mr. Calvin Wallace (1973-1976), Mr. Barker (1976-1978), Mr. Stanley Been (1978-1980), Mrs. Eliza Simons (September-December 1980).  

 Since 1980 the following Principals have served this institution:

Mr. Eric Williams  (1981-1982), Mr. Ronald Jones (1982-1983), Mr. Bertram Ross (1983-1987), Mrs. Lillian Missick (1987-1992), Miss. Patricia Brown (1992-1994), Mr. Reinford Trail (1994-1995), Mr. Roy Williams/Miss. Jane Garland (1995-1996), Mr. George Ramdial (1996-2000), Miss. Jane Garland (2000-2005).  Mr. Reinwald Lewis currently serves as Principal, a post that he has held since 2005.

 Mrs. Eliza Simons, Mrs. Lillian Missick and Miss Jane Garland are other local females who served as Principal of the institution. A long list of educators and administrators from across the Caribbean and as far away as the Phillipines have left their imprint on the institution.  Some of them are immortalized in the names of the Houses students are placed in; Administrator, Crawford, Sherlock, and Wood.  Many more are fondly remembered by parents and grandparents for their contribution to their lives and the Turks and Caicos Islands.  Two of the longest-serving teachers retired recently, Miss Cordelia Creese and Mrs. Marionette Hinds.   

The contributions of our teachers, past and present, have helped the institution and its students to excel in academics, the arts, and athletics nationally and regionally.  

In 2011, we advanced to the finals of the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institutes (CFNI) quiz competition, which took place in Guyana and placed second. Our athletic prowess has show through a legacy of winning inter High School Athletic competitions  and several students have gone on to earn medals.  Thyroid Smith is one of the first students to earn a medal earning gold at Central American Games. Many others have won medals at the Carifta Games, the list includes,  Levard Missick (Heptathalon), Lionel Barranco (1500m and 800m), Anthony Clarke (Heptathalon), Ifeyanichuku Otuonye (High Jump and 4 X 100m relays), Angelo Garland (4 X 100m relays), Omar Harvey (Long Jump).

The physical plant has changed over the years, smaller classrooms have been replace by larger buildings.  Only a few structures on the compound remain ( Blocks F, H, I and L) from what many older graduates remember.  The Science and Business Block, the Militia building, the old Staff Room, Block M and the top floor of the Administrative Block, were rebuilt. The impetus for the work has varied, but it has often been the response to natural and manmade disasters. 

In 2009, Hurricane Ike destroyed eleven dedicated classrooms and led to a delayed resumption of school.  We were forced to operate from tents donated by UNICEF until some container classrooms were provided by the Government and Carnival Corporation. Eventually, a six (6) classroom block was erected through a partnership between the Government and the Caribbean Development Bank.

In 2012 the completion of our new administrative block brought us back to the capacity that existed before Hurricane Ike.  Sadly, in 2016 the top floor of this structure and all of its contents were destroyed by fire. In 2017 we also lost Block G to the ravages of Hurricane Irma and Maria.

In 2015, in the 95th year of operation, the school’s auditorium was completed.  This initiative broke ground during the administration of Mrs. Lillian Missick.  The frame of the building was donated by Mr. Kenneth Adams of Building Materials. Fundraising efforts ensued and the funds collected were used for encasing the building. The structure was subsequently completed by the Government.  The Class of 2015 hosted the first graduation in the completed auditorium.