school's principal by the PTA chairman.

Referring to media reports on the on-going dispute between school principal Mrs. Sighle Fitzgerald and the school's board of governors, Mrs. Peni Gosling McGlynn said she was disappointed it had become public.

"I pray on behalf of the children and parents that Mrs. Fitzgerald will cease and desist from this public display which is so alien to Montessori philosophy,'' she said. "These tactics can only damage our children, the school's reputation and the personal dignity of everyone involved.

"I appealed to Mrs. Fitzgerald personally to please not escalate this unfortunate set of circumstances,'' she said. "But it obviously fell on deaf ears. I have no doubt that our school will weather this storm because we are accomplishing so many positive things.'' Mrs. Fitzgerald is currently on contract to the Academy, a non-profit organisation allowing children between the ages of two-12 to learn and develop at their own pace.

She was notified that her contract would not be renewed last Thursday and a Supreme Court injunction was granted on Tuesday preventing the board from hiring a new principal.

"While Mrs. Fitzgerald has been a nurturing figure in our school she is certainly not the only one,'' Mrs. McGlynn said. "Our teachers are the ones who are in daily contact with our students and are responsible for the academic excellence and well being of our children during the school day. We are very fortunate to have such dedicated teachers and they certainly have my full support and confidence.'' Contrary to a Bermuda Sun report, Mrs. McGlynn said Mr. Michael Robinson serves as the deputy chairman of the school's PTA, not the chairman.

"The life skill lessons and academic achievements of our children will be of great benefit to Bermuda,'' she added. "This will become self evident as our children mature and become positive ambassadors of their Montessori education.''