A TN Tatem student has described her first day at Clearwater as one of the greatest days of her life, but said she looked forward to returning to her own school.

In a letter to the editor, 11-year-old Che’-Chulae’ Dowling said that while she was nervous about the long journey to St David’s on Thursday, she was welcomed with open arms by teachers and students. “I just wanted to say a big thank you to our new family and friends; our Clearwater Eagles for making us feel welcomed and loved,” she wrote in the letter. “This journey has not been easy, and you have truly made sure we felt your love.

“To my teachers, I’ve seen some of you cry and hurt over this situation. I’ve seen the pain and anguish in your faces. Yet you still came to school, you still taught us when we were not the kindest and most obedient. You fought for us.

“In the words of the late great Robert Nesta Marley, ‘Who feels it knows it.’ You all are heroes in my eyes. I love and respect you for your love and dedication. I am so truly grateful.”

Che’-Chulae’ also called on members of both political parties to come together in the spirit of the season.

“It’s Christmas and we all need to stop and love one another,” she wrote. “We may never agree on everything, but if us as students, teachers and parents can come together for the best of us all, then so can you.

“Please show good faith and do what is best for us all, set your differences aside and think about how you can become better at communicating your differences.”

Speaking yesterday, she said: “I decided to write the letter because we need a change in the school system, and in Bermuda because there is a lot of violence going around and all the schools are in not-so-good condition.

“I was a little nervous just thinking about going to Clearwater because I didn’t know what to expect and I was a little upset knowing that TN Tatem is going through all these changes and not knowing how long we are going to be all the way in St David’s. I live all the way in Somerset, so I’m basically going from one end of the island to the next. I’m hoping that we get back soon because the feeling is like losing your house. You are so used to going to TN Tatem every day. It is like breaking your routine.”

Asked about her experience at the two schools, she noted the concern about mould at TN Tatem, saying: “Some teachers had to use the same classroom because they didn’t have any other class to go in, and some teachers didn’t even know if their classrooms had mould in them or didn’t.

“In Clearwater, it’s going pretty good. They welcomed us with open arms. The principal is really nice and the students seem really excited to meet us.

“We haven’t had our exams yet, but we are in preparations. I’m sort of nervous, but a little excited that we can actually have the exams. If this had gone on for another week, that might not have happened.”

Yesterday afternoon, Freddie Evans, the Acting Commissioner of Education, thanked those involved for making the temporary merger work.

“This successful transition is model of what Bermuda needs right now — a community of sharing and caring and professional collaboration,” he said. “The initial success of this strong merger is a reflection of strong, positive leadership and a willingness to put children first.

“It was dynamic to see children from Warwick and St George’s walking to class together, and starting on a positive note as a shared school community.”