public education system, Senators said yesterday.

And the supportive parents of competing students are setting a good example of parenting skills.

Public schools took first and second places in the annual competition which was held on Saturday night. CedarBridge Academy took first place while Clearwater Middle School was second and won the Current events section.

It was the first win for the Island's mega public high school which opened less than four years ago, although the team won second prize last year.

"I want to heap praise on the CedarBridge team,'' said Government Sen.

Patrice Parris . "They came out victorious in what was truly an exciting evening.'' That winning type of parent/student relationship is key to the success of the public school system, said Education Minister Sen. Milton Scott .

"The best testament for public education is when those who work in it actually have their children attend the same school,'' he said.

"This says a great deal for public education,'' said Sen. Walwyn Hughes (Ind). Sen. Hughes, the chairman of Warwick Academy's board of trustees, said both the public and private schools must be strong in order for Bermuda's education system to be working.

Opposition Sen. Mark Pettingill agreed the win reflected the quality of students in the public school system.

"Recently there have been some severe criticisms made against some of Bermuda's parents,'' Government Sen. Calvin Smith said. "It's refreshing to know that these parents were there, standing behind their kids.'' Government Sen. David Burch said the quiz was "thrilling'' and all the teams should be commended. "I had a few challenges myself in terms of answering questions.'' The participants "acquitted themselves admirably,'' he said and that even in losing or answering questions incorrectly they benefit from participating in the forum.''