After 16 years of seeing thousands of young men pass through the halls of the Saltus Grammar School, headmaster Mr. Keith McPhee is finally saying farewell.

"A partir c'est mourir un peu'' he said. One of his favourite quotes, it means, "To leave is to die a little.'' During his time at the school he has witnessed many changes -- from major building and renovation work to the introduction of girls to the Saltus school system.

"If the old headmaster came back he would find, in many ways, a totally different school,'' Mr. McPhee said. "Computers are everywhere.

"There are many changes in the curriculum and we are a third larger due to having 200 girls.'' On his feeling about the school turning co-ed Mr. McPhee said: "I was a confirmed co-educationalist before I came to Saltus. My entire professional career has been entirely co-educational and I strongly believe it is the best preparation for modern society.'' He also had his own views on the future of the public school system, the mega school and the continuation of public school staff and students crossing over the private school.

"There is a lot of uncertainty about the mega school, equally clear seems to be that it will happen because of the financial commitment.

"Its success depends upon how well it is run. I've seen small schools run badly and I have seen larger schools run really well.

"What does make me concerned is the lack of discipline students have, which is clearly evident in many of Bermuda's schools. Sadly, the signals given by the adult community are not always healthy ones.'' Mr. McPhee added: "I wish the public system well. It's got to work because inevitably so many Bermudian children are involved in it. The better the Government schooling system the better for all schools, Government and private, because competition is healthy.

"What cannot continue to happen is to have both staff and students moving to private schools, because you reach a point of saturation which most private schools have either reached or are getting very close to.'' Now that he is retiring, Mr. McPhee and his wife are off to live in France.

"We both love France and have frequently visited.

"I will be improving my French and I look forward to working with my hands tending to the gardens and doing some painting and writing.

"We will be living the life of a couple with fresh adventures ahead of us and we are looking at it as a new stage of our lives, full of excitement and interests.'' Looking back, he added: "I feel very fulfilled and happy with the way the school has developed. There will be lots of things I will miss, not least the children.

"It will be strange not having the yearly routine but after 16 years it is time for me to have a change and it is time for the school to have a change.''