be taken from the pages of children's literature, it might easily be from "The Little Engine That Could.'' The school -- long avoided by area parents who saw fit to place their children in institutions elsewhere -- has been enjoying a mini-renaissance of late, attracting more prospective students than it presently can handle and restoring its academic reputation under current principal Marva Outerbridge.

"I think,'' said Alfred Eve, press officer for the school's Parent-Teacher Association, "that the academic standards have definitely improved in the last three or four years. And there's a heavy sense of spirit as well.'' Added Dennis Gordon, the PTA's president and an officer of the Bermuda Police force: "We as parents have rallied around the teachers, and are proud to call ourselves not just the PTA, but the Prospect Primary School family.'' Such enthusiasm on the part of the PTA wasn't always the case at Prospect, of course.

As recently as three years ago, many parents were loath to send their children to the facility, which as the youngest school in the Bermuda education system was frequently regarded as somehow second-rate.

All that changed, Sgt. Gordon and other members of PTA explained, when the PTA's leadership assumed a more activist approach and the school received a shot in the arm in the form of Mrs. Outerbridge, who took over as principal in 1991.

Since then, a waiting list has been established for students who want to get in to Prospect, the spirit of those who are already connected to the school has risen dramatically and the institution itself has assumed a more visible role in the community.

Among the recent bridge-building initiatives that the school has orchestrated are last year's student fun fair -- which, according to Sgt. Gordon, was so successful that "we've decided to make it an annual thing'' -- and the Senior Citizen Tea that Prospect students will host as part of Heritage Month in May.

Later this month, moreover, the school will mark its 35th anniversary -- which technically should have been celebrated last year but was postponed until this year as a result of budget constraints -- by staging an open day-long series of events that will see many of the figures from Prospect's past return to their alma mater .

Time, incidentally, is to be the dominant theme of the celebrations,

22 Prospect prepares for celebrations which have been scheduled to kick off on the Prospect Primary playing field on the morning of April 30.

During the celebrations, former students at the school will give addresses on various aspects of time, with Postmaster General Clevelyn Crichlow speaking on the past, Magistrate the Wor. Charles-Etta Simmons on the present and ZBM-TV sportscaster Dwayne Caines on the future.

Also expected to take part in the festivities, which will cost $40 a head to attend and include a buffet-style brunch, a non-denominational church service and entertainment by a wide range of local musicians and singers, are many other notable graduates of the school.

Over the years, Prospect Primary has turned out a number of prominent figures in the community, including Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Nelson Bascome, television newswoman Janelle Ford, Prisons Psychiatrist Dr. Derek Binns and attorney Perry Trott.

Two brothers and former students who became prominent clergymen, Rev. Calvin Boll of Washington and Bishop Dennis Boll of California, will also serve as guest speakers at the ceremonies.

"Our aim,'' Sgt. Gordon said of the occasion, "is to bring together all past and present students in an effort to highlight the positive side of our school and thereby set a base for the future.'' If the school and those who are connected to it continue on their present course, that future should be bright indeed.

SINGING FOR THEIR SCHOOL -- "Truly Dedicated,'' the Prospect Primary School choir, will serenade past and present students at the institution's 35th anniversary celebrations this month. Pictured (from left to right) are members Kyla Tear, Allana Bean, Dainavan Tuzo, Prince Jackson, Adwina Wescom and Charman Benjamin.

SINGING FOR THEIR SCHOOL -- "Truly Dedicated,'' the Prospect Primary School choir, will serenade past and present students at the institution's 35th anniversary celebrations this month. Pictured (from left to right) are members Kyla Tear, Allana Bean, Dainavan Tuzo, Prince Jackson, Adwina Wescom and Charman Benjamin.