CedarBridge Academy has triumphed in this year’s Schools Quiz.

Trying circumstances brought out the best in students as they defeated teams from across the Island in the 22nd annual contest.

The CedarBridge team emerged the victors on Saturday at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess with 230 points.

This was achieved despite the disruption of a school closure following reports of mould on the premises.

From November 1 to January 3, the 700 students at the Island’s largest public school had to attend classes at the Old Berkeley Institute and Bermuda College.

The closure followed reports of illness among teachers, allegedly caused by fungus in the library and Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts. The resulting clean-up cost $4 million.

Kim Lightbourne, S1 Year Head, who coached the winning team with Social Studies teacher Weston Kieschnick, said: “We only had two months of preparation as we didn’t start until the middle of January because of the mould situation.

“The closing of CedarBridge Academy had a huge impact on whether we would field a team.

“Mr. Kieschnick said that if I could find five students, then he would take on the challenge.

“The students then studied every day during advisory, lunchtime and some afternoons.”

She added: “Since we started late, we had to play catch-up. We were already two months behind with the current events section.”

It is only the third time the academy has won the contest in its 22-year history.

The team of five students won by 45 points, defeating teams from Berkeley Institute (185), Dellwood Middle School (125) and Mount Saint Agnes Academy (115 points).

Categories consisted of: geography and history; music, arts and personalities; wild card; sports; and current events (with prizes given by The Royal Gazette).

Team members Lela Sujani and Jekia Knights-Fubler of Southampton, Arianna Fubler of Somerset, and Ivan Sanchez and Shreish Baniya of Devonshire, won the wild card and current events categories.

Prizes included two laptop computers, digital cameras, an iPod, lunch on a cruise ship, plus certificates and plaques.

Deputy principal Dr. Timothy Jackson praised the efforts of the pupils, who are all aged 14-15.

He said: “It’s always a wonderful achievement when students commit themselves to academic excellence and when they dedicate themselves to team work.

“We applaud all five of our participants as well as our two coaches.

“It was a much needed victory for us, taking into account what we’ve been dealing with over the last few months.

“It’s a great achievement, not only for the staff but for the students as well, and it is just a small sample of the academic potential that our students possess here.”

Dr. Jackson said that the victory had raised morale throughout the school.

He said: “The students in S1 assembly received a rounding applause from their peers and the S1 advisory team.

“It’s had a great impact on school morale as a whole.”