A number of students at CedarBridge Academy returned to school two days early last week to participate in a Gifted and Talented Development Programme at the school.

In partnership with the University of Connecticut, students in the programme had the opportunity to participate in a range or enrichment activities such as scientific research, the production of authentic products and eventually advance placement courses.

In addition, students with cumulative GPAs of 3.0 or higher for the Bermuda School Certificate (BSC) Programme will become members of the National Honours Society (NHS).

Another exciting development at the school was the introduction of the National Centre for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum last year.

This accredited programme, affiliated with the University of Florida, was created to develop industry driven standardised craft training programmes with portable credentials.

The mission of the NCCER is to assure that industry clients receive quality services and industry workers have rewarding, progressive careers.

NCCER establishes the link between schools and industry ? providing students with future employment opportunities, contractors with a pool of entry-level employees and schools with valuable new resources from their industry partnerships.

The NCCER also provides opportunities for leadership growth and effective safety training that will enhance productivity, cost-effectiveness and the image of the construction and maintenance industry.

With the support of the Ministry of Education and National Training Board (NTB), some of CedarBridge Academy students made history as the first group of students to take the level one of the NCCER at the high school level. Another course at CedarBridge Academy which is sure to prove popular again this year is the City and Guilds course in hairdressing.

This course was formerly offered at the college level entry, but was introduced at CedarBridge three years ago and the demand for the course since has been extremely high.

Principal Kalmar Richards said this week that results had also been consistently outstanding. However, it?s not just about courses this year as CedarBridge will once again focus its efforts on the social development of its students. ?Because we know that outstanding professionals not only know their craft, but they also have key characteristics that contribute to their success,? Mrs. Richards said.

She said the school integrated the eight keys of excellence on a monthly basis into their policies and procedures because they believe that these keys will help lay the foundation for social, academic and future successes.

The keys are: integrity, ?this is it? (taking advantage of the moment), ownership, commitment, speak with good purpose, flexibility and balance.

Mrs. Richards said they also believed in developing students as individuals, so in addition to their traditional student activities, they also provide year level workshops for students. S 1 students participate in Quantum learning strategies. These are accelerated learning strategies that students can use with their academics while S 2 students focus on the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens and S3 students participate in a workshop on leadership.