Honesty. Integrity. Being forthright. These are just a few of the principles which newly-elected PTSA president Robin Richardson incorporates into his everyday living.

And they'll also be the same ones he plans on using as he runs the organisation which is integral in the school's operation.

"I'm not a lay down type of guy," says Mr. Richardson when he's asked to describe himself.

The former PTSA spokesman, whose daughter Lisa is an S2 student, recalls the night he was chosen to be the new president.

"I was a bit overwhelmed when I thought about the amount of work that had to be done," he says with a laugh. But he admits that he is loving his new role, which he describes as "all encompassing and deals with the many aspects of the education system".

While he discusses a number of visions that he has for the PTSA this year, Mr. Richardson said one of the goals which is closest to his heart is seeing an increase in parent participation at CedarBridge.

"We need to help forge a better relationship between parents and the school," he says. "I feel sometimes there's a communication breakdown , especially when it comes to discipline issues."

While he says the school does all it can to ensure parents are involved in their children's school lives, he also acknowledges that parents have to do their part as well.

"It has to be a partnership in order to both parties to be happy."

Mr. Richardson also aspires for the PTSA to implement a CedarBridge Academy scholarship, to increase the organisation's finances and to find better ways to communicate PTSA meeting dates to the public.

But what does he see as his greatest challenge?

"Increasing attendance at the PTSA meetings," he says."There are approximately 900 students at CedarBridge, yet not even 50 people attended the last meeting - that's not acceptable."

Mr. Richardson said although some may see it as ambitious, he is aiming to have at least 500 people attend the meetings before the end of the school year.

"I want people to appreciate the public school system. It really is not free, so we need to start looking at it as an investment."