Determination led to the opening of Dellwood Middle School yesterday and will help students through their school years there.

That was the message Dellwood principal Carol Bassett brought to some 300 students who began classes at the centrally-located middle school on North and Angle streets.

The school has taken about 318 students from West Pembroke Primary, Northlands Primary (formerly Dellwood Primary which relocated to the former Northlands Secondary site on Berkeley Road), and Victor Scott Primary.

Among those students about 40 are special students, including the deaf, the physically challenged, slow learners, and gifted children.

Speaking during the last of three assemblies (now referred to as celebrations) held on the first day of school, Mrs. Bassett used the analogy of a man who persecuted Christians until he met a Christian woman who changed his views.

Because of his change of heart he had to flee to Canada under disguise.

But this required swimming some 12 hours from a ship to land.

"This,'' Mrs. Bassett pointed out, "took determination.'' "He changed his life through determination,'' she added.

"You need determination at Dellwood to make friends,'' Mrs. Bassett told the M1 students. "It takes determination to improve report cards.'' "We were determined that this school look right for you,'' she also told the children. "That's why we delayed the opening of the school for three weeks.'' While many may have assumed that teachers were enjoying an extended vacation, Mrs. Bassett said teachers were working hard to prepare the school.

Mrs. Basssett returned to work on August 25 and teachers resumed their duties on September 2.

Teachers were also at the school the night before it opened to ensure "everything was in order'', Mrs. Bassett pointed out.

And she urged the students to be proud of their school.

"You are making history as you sit here,'' she said. "Middle schools have never been done in this Country and you are some of the first students in this country to be a part of it.'' The students, who were divided into three separate teams (each with Lion names) for orientation, later met with their home room teachers who set out their expectations and explained the rules and guidelines for success in middle schools.

"We're just glad that we took the time to properly prepare the school,'' Mrs.

Bassett told The Royal Gazette at the end of the assembly. "It was necessary.

The school is looking good and it is safe.'' Wooden partitions have been set up to keep students away from phase two of the renovations which includes the construction of a library and music complex.