school.

Mr. Roy Napier, a Canadian citizen who was born in Northern Ireland, received his undergraduate degree from Queen's University in Belfast and has taught on both sides of the Atlantic.

He holds a Master in Education and was recently head of the Ashbury College in Ottawa, one of Canada's foremost International Baccalaureate schools.

He will take over the helm of BHS on June 30 following the retirement of present head Eleanor Kingsbury. Mr. Napier has almost 20 years of experience under his belt. He served as the head of two independent schools in Canada and spent more than 14 years at Ashbury College.

Along with his wealth of educational knowledge, Mr. Napier also has specific experience in the area of the International Baccalaureate, which BHC is set to introduce.

Commenting on the school's decision to introduce the programme, Mr. Napier said: "There is no doubt that the International Baccalaureate programme is the ideal vehicle for meeting BHS' mission objective of educating its students to the highest standards.

"As a programme, it is both challenging and rewarding, encouraging students to think critically and creatively.

"At the same time, through its community action programme, the International Baccalaureate encourages students to acknowledge their broader social responsibility.'' School board chairwoman Annarita Woolridge-Marion said careful deliberation went into finding Mr. Napier.

"Not only the board, but the entire BHS constituency was involved in some way in identifying the right candidate for this position.

"And we are delighted to have found someone of Mr. Napier's quality and experience.

"His extensive International Baccalaureate experience and strong educational leadership are absolutely what we need as we move forward with our strategic vision.'' When asked about the challenges which will be faced when introducing the programme to the Island, Mr. Napier replied: "The biggest challenge will be effectively communicating to the broader community the distinct advantages of this programme.

"The school itself is very well prepared to introduce the International Baccalaureate. It has a strong, committed and well prepared faculty and a long tradition of preparing students for external examinations.'' He added: "The International Baccalaureate programme is recognised on both sides of the Atlantic as a superior entrance qualification for universities and colleges and as such will meet the needs of Bermuda students wherever they wish to go.'' EDUCATION ED