To some it symbolises the end of an era for schools rich in tradition. To others it means the beginning of a public school system which is truly equal in opportunity for every student.

But whatever the viewpoint about Government's education restructuring plans, it is clear that the state of Bermuda's future depends on its success.

And few are more aware of this than those who have been entrusted to lead the way at the pivotal point of the new system, the middle school level. In the third of a week-long series, The Royal Gazette 's News Editor Carol Parker Trott talks to the Island's first middle school principals to get their reflections on the past system and their hopes and aims for the new.

The Island's youngest high school will become a middle school in every sense of the word next month.

Renamed Spice Valley Middle School, Warwick Secondary is expected to take in some 300 students with a wide range of backgrounds and abilities.

The school opened in 1967 at Warwick Camp because there was a need to increase the number of secondary schools in Bermuda, particularly since the parish of Warwick had a fairly large student population.

A year after its humble beginnings with just nine teachers under the leadership of Neville Tatem, a former deputy principal at the Berkeley Institute, the school moved to its present location near the Spicelands Riding School in Warwick.

The school was originally built for 200 students, but the auditorium was divided to allow the facility to accommodate 450.

And today, the school is headed by another former Berkeley deputy principal, Patricia Holder, who is determined to accommodate any adolescents who enters its doors.

With a new look, name, and motto the school is expected to take in some 300 students next month.

The school's new name was chosen by last year's first-year students and Primary Six and Seven students from elementary schools in the area (or feeder schools) due to the spice trees surrounding it.

And Mrs. Holder stressed that by changing its name the school was not attempting to erase its history.

In fact, she said, the school planned to set up a trophy case in its new library to display any memorabilia, photos of former principals Mr. Tatem, Winton Williams, Randy Horton, and Norma Hendrickson, and the school crest.

"It's not a case of running away from one's past,'' she said. "Looking at the diversity of our population, we recognise that we have to prepare our students for the 21st century and to be good citizens.'' This, she quickly added, was not to suggest that the school was not already doing this.

Even though Warwick Secondary produced its first Rotary Exchange scholar in 1994, Mrs. Holder noted that the school had an "outstanding'' alumni. They include world renown triple jumper Brian Wellman, professional footballer Kyle Lightbourne, and Bermuda Biological Station for Research scientist Kent Simmons.

And Mrs. Holder said she expected the school to produce more well-rounded students in light of what it will have to offer.

In addition to a new name and motto which is still to be decided with input from students, Spice Valley is expected to have new design and technology rooms and information technology rooms, a cafeteria, and renovated corridors and stairwell floors next month.

The learning resource centre will also be moved to the site of the motor mechanics shop.

During phase two of work on the school, the administration section will be devoted entirely to classrooms and the school will get a new library.

Despite librarian Carmen Mitchell's ingenious attempts to turn a small classroom into a modern, resourceful, and user friendly learning area, a library has been on the school's wish list for some time, Mrs. Holder said.

And while anxious to have the new facilities, she said she believed perhaps the most exciting aspect of the education reform was the design of the curriculum.

"The instructional strategy is more hands-on and more inter disciplinary,'' she explained.

In addition to core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies, students will take a list of exploratory subjects such as the arts, foreign languages, and health education.

The middle school is aimed at helping adolescents to develop emotionally, socially, and academically to make the transition from primary to senior level education a smooth experience.

In order to do this, Mrs. Holder pointed out, it was important for the middle school staff to function as a team and have involvement from parents, students and the community.

Mrs. Holder stressed that staff in all the middle schools worked closely together every step of the way to ensure that the schools were "as equitable as possible''.

"Therefore, if we have a family that moves to another part of the Island, the child should be very familiar and comfortable with any of the (middle) schools,'' she said. "The programmes will be identical and every school will have the same schedule.'' "I'm very proud of the way that we're working together to be non-competitive.'' Mrs. Holder admitted that she was particularly proud of her staff.

"I'm happy with the makeup of my staff,'' she said. "I'm most impressed with is the positive attitude that they have.

"With the committed staff we have, I think we're going to make this a reality.'' She said she also expected staff and students to have fewer fears about safety because older students will no longer be at the school.

Now, Mrs. Holder said, it was up to the parents, students, and the community to do their part.

"I'm continually hoping to see far more parental involvement,'' she stressed.

"Knowing that parents are involved will turn teachers on more.

"And we will encourage parents to become more involved and visit the school.'' "I think it is our last chance to get it right... a new chance for a new beginning,'' she said, referring to the restructuring.

"We've spent time reviewing other systems. The time has come to jump in and do it. There are going to be glitches, but as long as we we're willing to be flexible, there should be nothing to worry about.

"I'm excited and we (teachers) know that we will be worked. I welcome the fact that we will be worked. The acid test is going to come down the road.

"I would hope that people look at this with open minds.'' Referring back to Spice Valley, she added: "It certainly is going to be a school that meets the needs of students.

"We're going to go a long way to remove negative images about the public school system.'' Spice Valley Fact File Spice Valley Middle School Number of students: approximately 300.

Number of staff: 30, including teacher assistants.

School uniform: Girls will wear navy skirts or pants and white polo shirts with school name during the summer. Boys will wear grey pants and white polo shirts. Regular school shirts with a tie will be worn during the winter.

School motto: Still to be decided with input from the students.

READY FOR CHANGE -- Spice Valley Middle School principal Patricia Holder looks forward to an equitable public school system.

Photos by David Skinner SKILLS NOT DEBATABLE -- Spice Valley Middle School student Tiffany Cooper practices her debating skills during one of the final classes as a high school. She is pictured with her colleagues debating the motion "This House believes the age for riding auxiliary cycles should be lowered''.