will instead focus on reuniting its student body for one final hurrah. With plans to close Devon Lane at the end of the school year, principal Leon James said that he would love to see all current and former students join in celebrating 27 years of successful instruction. "We have had 715 students walk through our doors since we opened on Monday, September 15, 1969,'' he said. "And what's happening, is that as we are closing down this school year, I'm trying to get back all our former students for a reunion on the 27th.

"Even though (most) schools are focusing on tourism this month, we have been planning this for some time as we knew that this would be our last year so instead, we're focusing on the closing of Devon Lane. We are very proud of our graduates and would like to have this last reunion before the school becomes history.'' The school has had 27 good years, said Mr. James, with most students going on to accomplish great things in the work force and serving as a role model to present Devon Lane pupils. "Most are doing rather well,'' he said. "There was a time ago that Devon Lane was noted to be a slow school.

But I think the students were more disruptive than slow learners. We have a lot of intelligent kids, but because of various problems, they were disruptive and placed at Devon Lane. However once here, most of them don't want to leave.

"Today, they are employed in construction, as barbers, painters, work in boatyards, do technical work, serve as beauticians and laundrymen. They also can be found driving heavy equipment, working as horticulturists, as busboys, assistant chefs, on golf courses, as office managers, butchers and some even own their own barber shops.'' According to the principal, much of the success Devon Lane students have had in finding jobs is due an excellent work/study programme in effect. The day release programme starts with just one day of work but as graduation time draws near, students tend to fall in with the job in a manner similar to how one would operate under a term of apprenticeship.

"All of this, the jobs have come about as a result of our day release scheme.

It has been the key to our success story. The public has been very receptive to it and we still have some individuals in the same job they had 20 years ago when they were doing day release at Devon Lane.'' In addition to the work ethics which play such an important part in the curriculum, Mr. James said that individuals come in and speak to his students, driving the message home.

"We don't go for the (Bermuda Secondary School Certificate) exam or General Certificate Examinations and all that. We mostly dwell on work ethics. Any of my kids can fill out job application forms. And we have individuals come in from banks and different organisations, to give talks and also to perform mock interviews. We have also been targeting former students from the last three years, to give assembly speeches during which they tell of their work experience and then have rap sessions with the students. "Our key to success at Devon Lane has been the day release programme. Through it, we have been able to place 98 percent of our students who finish here, in jobs and then we monitor those individuals after they're placed. The monitoring is endless.

Even today, whenever I pass by a job site where I know one of our students is working, I check in and ask how they are doing.'' As part of the planned Reunion plans! current students about their success with the day release programme, the principal said. Also, there will be displays of student work throughout the gymnasium and also pictures of past and present events during the school's history. All in all, said Mr. James, he expects it to be a memorable occasion.

"Students who needed a chance have found it at Devon Lane,'' he said.

"They're not considered to be a number here. They are somebody, and here they have a name.'' PHOTO Port Royal students gather information for an experiment.

In front, Deon Dale and Campbell Duffy. Seven-year-olds Brittany Uddin and Lonicko Durrant, of P3, prepare one of the many experiments to be exhibited at Port Royal's science fair next week. EDUCATION MONTH ED