The principal of CedarBridge Academy has pleaded for parents to support the school - and not to run to the Press when they have a complaint.

Kalmar Richards said the school could do without the negative press created when disgruntled parents contacted the media, instead of talking first to the school.

Speaking at the school's Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) on Tuesday night, Mrs. Richards said the private schools were not subjected to the same bad publicity because their parents did not contact the media when they had a complaint.

And she referred to a parent who two weeks ago complained to The Royal Gazette that her son had been sent home from CedarBridge Academy because the hem on his trousers was "too thin".

"We did not send a child home about a hem," added Mrs. Richards.

"You need to speak with good purpose about the school. If you have an issue about the school, then don't take it to the Press, we are open and available.

"We need to speak with good purpose and not criticise the school in front of our children." Mrs. Richards made the comments while talking to parents about the eight keys of excellence for students.

She added: "Speak in a positive sense, and be responsible for honest and direct communication. Avoid gossip and harmful communication."

And she also urged parents to follow that rule.

"If you bring it to us, we will deal with it," added the principal. "Every bit of gossip and wrong communication about this school does harm to us. We can handle it here, we are open and responsive.

"I come from the position that the teacher is right. I tell my own children that they go to school and they have to do what they have to do."

But besides speaking with good purpose, Mrs. Richards said the other key points to excellence for students were; integrity, failure leads to success, commitment, ownership, flexibility and balance. She said this year students and teachers were concentrating on those basic laws to ensure the school had a foundation for a supportive, trusting environment where each person was valued and respected. And she said parents should try to ensure that their children adhered to those key points. She said students should learn from mistakes and overcome failures, and said they should be accountable and responsible for their own actions.

She added: "I tell the students to be real - be who they are. Be the same person you are at home with your parents when you come to school.

"Parents, we want you to emphasise to your young people that it's important to be honest. They should make sure their values and behaviours are aligned." But she also urged parents to make sure their children put in sufficient work at home.

"Not enough children are working hard until they sweat and are tired. If your children are not working hard every night, then they are doing something wrong."