with the school for nearly half of its 100 years, Clifford Maxwell says he is proud to be involved in this year's celebrations. "Having entered the Berkeley as a student in 1948, and having served on the staff of the Berkeley for twenty-one years -- nineteen of which were spent as principal -- until my retirement in 1990, and am now currently serving as chairman of the Berkeley Educational Society, I am honoured to have been associated with the Berkeley for almost fifty years, representing almost half of its 100 years existence,'' said Dr. Maxwell. "The Berkeley Educational Society is also proud of its involvement in the Centenary Year celebrations. It is the Society's wish that the fervour created by this year of celebration will sustain the school as it faces the many challenges that lie ahead.'' According to Dr. Maxwell, the Berkeley Educational Society evolved from the Founding Fathers of the school.

It was in 1879, he said, that they formed a collective group to set in motion the establishment of a school "which would provide a good education for the people of Bermuda. A school which would provide, albeit in the minds of the 19th Century founders, a classical education developed over time into an institution where academic excellence became its hallmark.'' Dr. Maxwell joined the Berkeley Institute as a student at the age of 12 and began teaching at the Pembroke school in 1969 under Frederick Shirley (F.S.) Furbert from whom he took over the post of principal in 1971. "Because of Bermuda's social history, the Berkeley Institute was one of the very few places, if not the only place where higher education was available to people of colour. In this regard, the Berkeley Institute played its role magnificently despite the obstacles that were strewn in its way. With the advent of the desegregation of schools, the Berkeley Institute faced new challenges which included an expanded student body and facilities which did not expand until several years later.'' According to Dr. Maxwell, a constantly repeated rallying call aided the high school's development. "At this time we saw the development of a more comprehensive curriculum, school graduation, the school band, annual dramatic productions, a guidance department, a proper library, a vibrant (Parent-Teacher-Student-Association) and, because there was never enough money, the May Fair. The rallying call was the often-repeated excellence of character, excellence of scholarship and excellence of citizenship.'' It is a call which Dr. Maxwell says, was obviously heard by many of its students. "I am proud of the Berkeley Institute's contribution to education in Bermuda over the past 100 years,'' he said. "Graduates of the Berkeley Institute may be found in the fields of medicine, law, education, business and technology -- wherever informed expertise is needed. With this one hundred year background of excellence, the Berkeley Institute stands poised to enter a new millennium which will see new challenges as the Berkeley plays its role as a major player in the restructuring of Bermuda's education system. Let us hope that the Berkeley Institute's contribution in the second one hundred years will be as significant as the first.'' PHOTO The F.S. Furbert Building was constructed while Dr. Maxwell was headmaster The Berkeley Institute's fifth headmaster, Clifford Maxwell MINI SUPPLEMENT SUP