Students and teachers unable to use their school because of mould contamination reported a smooth first day in their new temporary home.

CedarBridge Academy pupils and staff have moved into the old Berkeley Institute while the problem at their own school is tackled.

About six Police officers stood outside the building as hundreds of CedarBridge students filed out into the streets at home time yesterday afternoon.

Parents said there had been a history of rivalry between CedarBridge youngsters and their counterparts at Berkeley Institute, who are now housed at a new building yards away. However, there was no hint of trouble yesterday. Before moving, CedarBridge staff were said to have been alarmed at the state of the old Berkeley building, which has been disused since July. However, the building was subject to a rigorous cleaning programme at the end of last week and teachers said it was up to scratch in time for classes to begin yesterday.

One teacher leaving the school yesterday said: "It's been cool — seamless." Another said: "It's been very positive."

Pupil Colisha Pearman, 16, said: "I have to do a lot more walking between classes in this building, so I would have preferred to stay at the other building. But it hasn't been too bad."

Her grandmother, Diane Pearman, said: "I'm just glad they do have some place to stay. This is a good alternative — it's better than nothing."

Another pupil said: "I don't really care which building I have to go to school in."

A parent, who asked not to be named, said: "I think the Police are here in case there's any trouble between children from the two schools. It's been fine as far as I can see though."

CedarBridge, the Island's largest public school with more than 850 pupils and about 100 staff, closed suddenly on November 1 for "environmental health" reasons. A clean-up operation of mould in 20 classrooms is currently under way. Parents were told at a meeting last week that the doors of the school may remain shut until Christmas and that in the mean time students would be schooled at Berkeley Institute and Bermuda College.

Students arrived at the temporary sites for orientation on Monday, with the first day of classes taking place yesterday.

Attendance figures for the orientation were — S1:74%; S2: 84%; S3:76%. S4 figures, and attendance for yesterday's classes, are not yet available.

CedarBridge teachers spent much of their mid-term holiday designing and planning for the relocated classes.

Ahead of yesterday, staff announced a slight change in the school's schedule to avoid congestion caused by a clash of opening and closing times with Berkeley Institute.

Acting Chief Education Officer, Joeann Smith, said: "What we are witnessing is an amazing team effort and spirit of solidarity with CedarBridge Academy.

"CedarBridge Academy would like to thank the Ministry of Education, Sports and Recreation, the Transport Department, the Bermuda Police Service, and other government departments as well as all the companies, and, of course, The Berkeley Institute, who assisted us during this transition.''

Principal Kalmar Richards added: "Without their help, it is difficult to imagine how we could have achieved so much in such a short time.''

The move followed an inspection on Sunday by a team including the Principal, the President of the School Parent Teacher Association, Ministry officials and Bermuda Union of Teachers executives. Finishing touches are still being made to the IT infrastructure as professionals from the Education Ministry, CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute have been working extended hours to ensure that all technology needs are in place for the start of school.

A Government spokesman said work to improve the indoor air quality at CedarBridge continued. Most of the carpeting has been removed and will be replaced with tiles or wooden f It is expected a building envelope consultant will also submit a full report in a few weeks.

‘I don’t really care which building I go to school in’