Berkeley Institute principal Michelle Gabisi would normally be going through hundreds of student transfer exam results at this time of year.

But the school, for the first time in its 100-year history, will not be taking in any first-year students as it prepares to become a senior secondary school in 1999.

That has not stopped parents from trying to get their children into one of the Island's top academic high schools.

"We're still getting requests from parents who would like their children to transfer here in September,'' Mrs. Gabisi said.

But with the planned restructuring of the public school system, particularly the introduction of middle schools, she added that she was confident that parents' anxiety about their children's post-primary education will be alleviated.

"I'm glad to see an end to the transfer exam,'' she admitted, "mostly because of the negative effect on those who were not chosen for the schools of their choice.

"There are some exciting changes that will be happening and we need the support of the entire community.'' While the curriculum for the senior school level has not yet been written, Mrs. Gabisi said Berkeley was looking at introducing technical courses as early as September.

"We already have some business courses such as accounting and computer studies,'' she noted. "We also hope to do media studies. But one of the things I hope to see is the new senior school curriculum established so that students can link the outcome to the courses they are doing.

"At both schools (Berkeley and CedarBridge Academy) we're hoping we will offer students a common curriculum in year one. But after career counselling, students will have identified careers of interest to them. So they will have to follow a career pathway and this will give teachers the opportunity of linking classes to career outcome.'' Mrs. Gabisi also pointed out that the restructuring could bring an unprecedented integration of students in public schools.

"You will see the high flyers and student who may take longer to get to that level working together,'' she noted.

"For example, within the hotel industry there are many different jobs from waiters to managers and students will be guided along education pathways accordingly.'' In fact, she said, students will receive personal guidance throughout their school years from their first day.

Berkeley prepares for new era "We intend to bring in advisory groups so instead of being grouped in forms they will be in smaller groups and mixed year groups,'' Mrs. Gabisi explained.

"Second, third, and fourth years will be together in a smaller group. It will be a pastoral care unit in school. The idea is to have students in closer contact with their advisor. The advisor will take care of the run of the mill stuff like registration, help them to make career choices, and help to counsel them when they are about to leave school. They will be a parent on site for the student.'' Noting that no more than 14 students will be in an advisory group, she said: "We aim to focus as much as we can on the needs of students.'' Recognising that students can only learn when they are well, Mrs. Gabisi added: "We are trying to create school environments which are healthy environments for our school children. It is linked to the Health for Success programme run by the Ministries of Health and Education.

"We're working with the University of British Columbia to instil practices so that students will be far more involved in decision making.

"For example, we talk about encouraging students to eat healthier. But we first need to involve students in making healthy decisions.'' "We should model that here in the tuck shop,'' she smiled as she reflected on the high-cholesterol menu of cheeseburgers and fries.

"A healthy school environment is getting involvement from all the stakeholders, especially the children.'' Mrs. Gabisi said she also wanted to see greater emphasis on physical fitness as well as competition.

"We will continue the competitive sports, but we can also introduce students to sports in which they can participate as individuals,'' she explained.

And while the main focus will be on the student, Berkeley had not forgotten the staff, Mrs. Gabisi added.

"We know we need to provide greater staff development, particularly in the area of technology so that it is integrated into the whole curriculum,'' she said.

Also noting that "differentiated education'' will be a reality as the school takes in students with a wide range of ability, she said: "We must make sure teachers will be providing instruction for all students.'' Meanwhile, chairman of Berkeley's Board of Governors, Calvin White, said he was happy with the way plans for the site as a senior school were going.

"We have a joint committee between the Board of Education and the Berkeley Institute board who are working to design the site. It is moving ahead smoothly. But they are still in the creative-thinking stage. A consultant architect has been engaged and is working with that. But we're very happy with the process so far. We still expect to break ground before September.'' Mr. White, however, admitted that he was not pleased with the fact that a senior school curriculum had yet been designed.

"I'm hoping that curriculum will be in place soon,'' he said.

However, both Mr. White and Ms Gabisi said they were excited about the planned changes.

"We're very excited about the change and about the ability for the school to be able to provide first-class education to senior level students,'' the chairman said.

"Finally we will see all of our students having the opportunity to get the best education possible,'' Mrs. Gabisi added. "I know that we offer that at Berkeley already. But it will be offered to all students in the system.'' THE JOY OF GIVING -- Charles Bascome of CMB Enterprises presents a check for $1,200 to Berkeley Institute principal Michelle Gabisi and Dr. Clifford Maxwell, chairman of Berkeley's Education Society. The donation is to benefit the education society and is part proceeds from An Evening of Jazz concert which was held in March.