of combining military discipline and counselling with academic life seems to be paying off. By Carol Parker Trott News Editor Despite its reportedly unexpected success in a short time and plans to spruce up its surroundings, Bermuda's school for disruptive students is not expected to be permanent.

Officials at the Centre for Adolescent Development, Education and Training (CADET) told The Royal Gazette they did not believe it was here to stay.

They said they were hopeful that more programmes would eventually be in place in regular schools to help students with behavioural problems at a younger age.

But for now, they added, the alternative school was meeting a great need.

CADET opened at Warwick Camp last month for students -- 12 to 16 years old -- with a history of behavioural problems.

Students -- who officials refused to have interviewed and/or photographed -- must spend 12 weeks at the special academy before returning to their original schools.

It is hoped that in addition to learning from seven hand-picked teachers, military discipline and lessons from Regiment staff in foot drill, first aid and leadership will encourage the youngsters to be well behaved and prepared to function in society.

So far, said Government behavioural specialist Judith Lightbourne-Bartley, the first four pupils were heading in the right direction. A student, who was a "natural follower'', had become the self-appointed president of CADET's student council, she noted.

And two students, acting on their own initiative, this week left an apple and a letter of encouragement on teacher Dan Hill's desk.

"I hope you stay here and continue working with us and the other children that are coming,'' they wrote.

"We have a long way to go, but this is progress,'' said Dr.

Lightbourne-Bartley, referring to the kind gesture.

And she defended the decision to hire Mr. Hill who was dismissed from the public school system in 1996 after being convicted of possessing cannabis and cultivating cannabis plants at his Southampton residence in 1994.

"We looked at (applicants') commitment and dedication,'' Dr.

Lightbourne-Bartley said. "We picked those with experience with this population. Aside from skills, one must love this (type of) child.

"I see this as choosing the correct person for the correct job.

"Mr. Hill works very conscientiously and because of him for the first time we have students who have not worked in the (school) system, working. They respect him to a great extent because of where he's been. For them it's a good thing because some of them are going through similar things. He stands for them as somebody who has overcome.'' Describing a typical day at CADET, Regiment Adjutant Capt. Eddie Lamb said the students must be at school by 8.30 a.m.

Military staff search the students' bags for any prohibited weapons before inspecting them to make sure they are tidy and in their respective school uniforms.

At 9 a.m. staff and students get together for what is termed a "community meeting''. During this time they go over any concerns that students may have.

"We are very cognizant that students and staff may come with things that happened overnight,'' said Dr. Lightbourne-Bartley.

After the 15-minute meeting, students move to the academic block where they are taught core subjects, including English and Mathematics, for almost three hours.

They are allowed a half-hour lunch break between noon and 12.30 p.m. before the advisory period begins.

During that time -- between 12.30 and 1 p.m. -- each student pairs up with an advisor who can be any staff member of Regiment personnel of the student's choice.

"This is not a structured period,'' coordinator Brenton Burgess explained.

"It is just one-on-one and students feel comfortable with it. We help students understand that everything they say is held in confidence. But if it is something illegal or they or someone else may be harmed, they know we will have to tell someone about it.'' From 1 to 2 p.m. the students have drill time with the Regiment. This is followed by a one-hour group counselling session.

At 3 p.m. staff and students get together for another community meeting in which they discuss anything that has come up during the day and prepare for the next day.

"Last week Thursday was the first time students started to give positive feedback,'' said director Angela Fubler.

"During celebration time you could see these students were not used to laughing,'' she noted. "They looked uncomfortable laughing. But they are beginning to relax. To me that's therapy.'' "They are also apologising spontaneously,'' Dr. Lightbourne-Bartley interjected. "That's progress.

"It is literally a therapeutic day. As soon as things happen, there is a consequence. Knowing that consistency exists, keeps the students on track.'' At CADET, which is expected to enrol more students next week and can accommodate up to 21, staff track students' progress through a "point system''.

Each day students are rated on their behaviour, task performance, and their ability to complete assignments.

"There's been a stark difference from day one up to now,'' Capt. Lamb said.

"In the beginning there was blatant disrespect for anyone who represented authority. They were very disrespectful and very defiant.

"I thought this was going to drag on. The first two weeks were draining. But now I am getting less complaints from staff in terms of discipline. I am now able to get on with being an Adjutant.

"Warrant officer Herman Eve has done remarkable work. I can say there has been a cooperative effort between staff and they (students) are far more cooperative.'' But CADET officials admitted that there were still challenges.

While hesitant to discuss specific problems, Dr. Lightbourne-Bartley admitted that students were still committing "infractions''. And she pointed out that the punishment -- which could range from detentions to laborious yard work, such as chopping trees, under the supervision of the Regiment -- was sure and swift.

But both Dr. Lightbourne-Bartley and Ms Fubler stressed that the rewards for good behaviour were even greater.

In addition to treats from the counsellor and lunch with a teacher, students receive "a lot of positive verbal feedback'', Dr. Lightbourne-Bartley said.

"We're genuine with the positive things we tell them about themselves,'' she explained.

"Initially they did not know how to handle praise. And when we talked about being a family, I watched the expressions on their faces. Some of them had never thought of a school as a family.'' Parents -- who have to sign a contract when their children begin the alternative programme -- also had to adjust to the change in their youngsters, Ms Fubler said.

"I contact parents and meet with them regularly just to give them feedback on how their children are doing,'' she explained.

"These parents are use to hearing complaints so when they learn that their child has done something positive it is therapeutic.'' Students also have "art therapy'' sessions -- in which they are encouraged to express their feelings in drawings -- and music lessons.

The school -- where Government plans to set up a covered outdoor recreation area between the existing classrooms/barracks and build a new toilet/shower facility -- was in need of musical instruments, primarily trumpets and horns, Ms Fubler added.

CADET could also use volunteers to help with answering the phones in the office and monitoring students in class and during the lunch period.

Anyone who can assist should call Ms Fubler on 236-3039.