Fed-up teachers at Bermuda's showpiece secondary school are set to call for strike action over a rising tide of violence, it was claimed yesterday.

And teachers at troubled CedarBridge Academy have asked for an urgent meeting with Bermuda Union of Teachers' bosses.

The shock news follows two incidents at the new CedarBridge Academy over the last two days -- the latest in a series to rock the school.

Yesterday, a female pupil with a knife chased a male student through the school cafeteria.

And on Wednesday, it is claimed one pupil hit another one with a hammer.

And now it is feared teachers are ready to take the law into their own hands and call recess at the multi-million dollar mega-school until the aggression problem is solved.

The Royal Gazette learned of the incidents after a furious school insider blew the whistle on teenage troublemakers.

And the source claimed that teachers were talking tough in a bid to end a downward spiral of violence at the troubled school.

The insider said: "I think they've had about enough -- these last incidents might not be the straw that breaks the camel's back, but it's close.

"They're under stress and worried about their own safety. I personally wouldn't blame them if they did go on strike.'' The source added: "I know a lot of parents of children who just want to learn are worried too.'' Bermuda Union of Teachers president Mike Charles -- who has been off the Island and only returned on Tuesday -- said yesterday that he was not aware of strike calls.

But he added: "Evidently, there is some problem up there and I know that we have been asked to visit the school.

"I got an urgent call that they needed some kind of meeting -- there is some kind of discontent up there. The teachers are under a lot of stress, to put it mildly.

"We are very concerned -- it seems to almost on a daily basis that something happens.'' School principal Ernest Payette could not be contacted for comment. Education Minister Jerome Dill is off the Island and was unavailable.

A Police spokeswoman confirmed that Police had been called to a disturbance at the school yesterday -- but said they had no knowledge of any trouble on Tuesday.

She added that, when officers arrived, they were told the trouble had died down and they were not required.

The threat of a strike is the latest in a run of embarrassing events at the Prospect school. Violence broke out less than 48 hours after the school opened in September. Two 16-year-old boys were suspended after a fight on school grounds.

And two 15-year-old girls ended up in the King Edward VII Hospital after a fight in Parson's Road, Pembroke. Two other teenage girls also required hospital treatment after 20 pupils "ganged up'' on them in Church Street, Hamilton.

But the worst single episode was a showdown between school pupils and Police at Hamilton bus terminal on Monday, September 29 -- the fifth incident in a week.

It ended a day which saw Police called to a disturbance at the school, and arrested four pupils. The outbreak is believed to be linked to an earlier fight between two female pupils.

Another pupil was later arrested at the bus terminal after a fight involving pupils from several schools broke out.