has moved away from the old school of teaching history. Typically history is learned through text books bound with a Eurocentric view on the past. But Mrs.

O'Kelly-Lynch is sure to include data that allows students to see the many sides of events and occasions in her history curriculum. The newly activated Internet system helps eliminate bias, said Mrs. O'Kelly-Lynch, "because we can get actual documents from different countries instead of reading from a European history book.'' Originally from Ireland, Mrs. O'Kelly-Lynch, who came to Bermuda 12 years ago, has been teaching at BHS since 1987. Having previously taught in Bahamas and Europe in both public and private school systems, she seems to perpetually whet her students' passion for learning.

During her first two years at BHS, Mrs. O'Kelly-Lynch taught both English and history. But as the number of students grew in the school, she dropped English in order to take on another history class. She now teaches history to students in Years nine through 12. The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GSCE) history requirements expect students to see a topic globally and relate it to other events, said Mrs. O'Kelly-Lynch. "I take a time period and insist that students know something about all areas of the world in that time period.

They should then be able to link the information to other events. "This approach gives students the ability to relate things to each other,'' she noted. "I start teaching the girls this skill in Year nine so when they get to Year 12, it becomes an automatic way of thinking.'' She added: "Students should come away from school with the ability to look at events with a wide perspective -- no tunnel vision. And they should be able to use that information logically and coherently.'' Outside of the classroom, Mrs.

O'Kelly-Lynch is involved with the BHS debating team. "We attend the national championships in Canada and we have been to the world championships in the UK,'' she said. As well, Mrs. O'Kelly-Lynch and chemistry teacher Mr. Eric Jones recently accompanied senior students who participated in a model United Nations forum at Harvard University in Boston. Organised as a centenary trip, Mrs. O'Kelly-Lynch said the school was invited back to participate in the Ivy League college's annual event next year. But she noted there are only so many things the girls can get involved in. Students will compete abroad next year, she said. "But I'm not yet sure which event they'll be involved in.'' Mrs.

O'Kelly-Lynch, who presently has two girls attending BHS, said the school's greatest strength is in its single sex education. "I only wish my two younger boys had such an opportunity,'' she said. PHOTO HISTORY TEACHER -- Mrs. Gretta O'Kelly-Lynch