headmaster Nigel Kermode as the new principal of the Grammar School.

His deputy will be Bermudian Malcolm Durrant, the school's director of admissions.

Mr. Kermode, who has taught at the school for 21 years, will take over from Trevor Rowell who is leaving Saltus at the end of the school year.

Mr. Rowell will be the principal of The British School in The Hague, The Netherlands.

"Mr. Kermode, who holds a working resident's certificate, has been for so long an outstanding teacher and administrator at Saltus and has also been intimately involved with all aspects of the school's recent innovative developments and dramatic growth,'' said board chairman James Amos.

"His appointment assures continuity of purpose and a continuing impetus towards our vision of Saltus as a `world class' institution of learning.

"I therefore believe that all parents, students, alumni and friends in the community will share the board's confidence that Mr. Kermode's appointment provides a seamless transition from the outgoing headmaster's dynamic leadership to a new era of continued, positive direction for the school.'' Mr. Kermode earned his first degree in English and History from the University of East Anglia. He also holds an M.A. in Management.

He began his career at Saltus in 1978 and was promoted to deputy headmaster in 1983. "I am happy to say that over the past few years, in particular, I have witnessed a positive change of culture at Saltus which has encouraged more openness, parental involvement and student spirit,'' Mr. Kermode said. "I can assure our parents, students and my colleagues that these positive changes will proceed, and that we will continue to ensure that Saltus remains a happy place in which to learn and work.'' Among the school's achievements during Mr.

Kermode's term as deputy headmaster were the introduction of the "Learning with Laptops'' programme which began last September with some 150 students; the drafting of the school's three-year Development Plan and its annual goals and objectives; and its fund raising programme.

Endorsing the choice of his successor, Mr. Rowell said: "We have accomplished so many good things -- so quickly over the past few years, and Nigel has been prominent in all of the undertakings.

"There is no one who has been closer to the planning process or to the changes, and he is therefore an ideal choice.'' APPOINTMENT APP