Around 1,200 people from all branches of public school education came together at a one-day conference aimed at galvanising their efforts yesterday.

The Catching the Vision event drew a range of people from teachers to crossing guards and janitors to the National Stadium to brainstorm about the best way forward. Union representatives, parents and civil servants were also present.

Speeches were delivered yesterday morning by US teacher Ron Clark, famed for his work with disadvantaged students, and Professor David Hopkins, an education expert from the UK.

Participants engaged in workshops, pooling ideas on topics such as good communication, pride and purpose and team-building. Addressing the conference yesterday morning, newly-installed Minister of Education Neletha Butterfield said: ?This comprehensive, non-selective, inclusive nature of the public education system is Bermuda?s most essential asset. Make no mistake ? the country cannot do without it.

?We are mandated to cater to every single child that comes to us. It is an awesome, sacred and challenging responsibility. And those of us who have chosen, or been chosen, to discharge such a responsibility collectively constitute the very foundation of our country?s future.

?So before we begin the work and deliberations that we have set for ourselves today, let me pay tribute to your spirit of service, your character, your courage and your commitment. You are the army which can overcome every obstacle on the path to that glorious future that we know we are capable of achieving.?

A number of union officials addressed the conference at its conclusion yesterday afternoon. Lisa Trott, president of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, said that part of the vision would be every public school student leaving with a diploma recognised both locally and internationally.

She added: ?Our students should leave us knowing who they are and that they have a worthy contribution to make to this country.?

And she issued a plea to both Ms Butterfield and Permanent Secretary Rosemary Tyrrell to get things right as the Ministry of Education moves forward, and to see the positive work achieved at the conference through to the end result.

Livingston Tuzo, President of the Association of School Principals, said the day affirmed to him ?that we have people in this business who are very good.?

He added: ?I have been in this business for 31 years and I have never witnessed a celebration for or about the children in public education.?

In her closing remarks Ms Tyrrell said that when she had first arrived at the Ministry in January, she had seen people working hard, but not working together. She stressed the importance of focusing on issues such as respecting diversity and restoring confidence in public education.

She added that according to the latest Terra Nova test results, five percent of children were operating in the top 90 percent. ?That?s awesome! There must be some teaching going on. We are talking about talented and gifted (children)? she said ? explaining that a new programme for talented youth would be beginning this year along with a greater focus on technical education.

Speaking after the event, Ms Tyrrell said she felt the main achievement of the day have been promoting a feeling of ?inclusiveness? across the Ministry.

Jermaine Burrows, a teacher at Somerset Primary told : ?It was inspirational. I loved the speakers in the morning. They fired us up again to get back into the classroom.?

And he added: ?You could really feel the passion from the Permanent Secretary and what she?s trying to emphasise is that it?s got to come from us all as individuals.?

However another primary school teacher ? who would not give her name ? was more sceptical about the Catching the Vision event.

?How many schools really have a vision?? she asked. ?In order to catch it, we have to see it. We haven?t seen it yet. I think they (the Ministry) have lost touch with what actually happens in schools.?