Sarah Fuhrtz talks to teachers and students at Spice Valley Middle School.

As they volunteer their time to various community projects today, students from Spice Valley Middle School are demonstrating the valuable lessons they learned this term.

In addition to regular school work, the students were taught to be good role models and to cooperate in a team environment.

And by visiting nursery schools and picking up trash, they are showing the Island that school children still have a positive outlook on life.

Over the course of the term, the students took part in Outward Bound, mini-golf, inter-school sports and an eight-mile walkathon.

And they have shown just as much enthusiasm towards their education.

Principal Patricia Holder said: "I find that the first term has gone along wonderfully well.

"For one, the students are in a positive environment and do not have the peer pressure they once had from older students.

"Everyone is keen and they all want to volunteer their time to everything.

Their energy is very high.'' Mrs. Holder added that the school's teachers and students were "getting along well'' and beginning positive relationships.

"It's not all peaches and cream. Some of the students are still testing the waters, but there are no real negative extremes.

"The kids are generally well-behaved and excited to learn new things and take part in school activities.'' Librarian Carmen Mitchell felt the only problem with implementing the middle school system was that students needed to read more, both at home and school.

"I believed in the whole concept from the start,'' Mrs. Mitchell said. "The students are adjusting well and are very keen, but the one thing I have found is that the children need to read more.

"The teachers can only help so much because reading needs to begin at home.'' Mrs. Mitchell added that smaller classes were a "great benefit'' to the teachers and students throughout the middle school system.

"The classes are small and that helps us to keep the students in line as well as get to know them better as individuals. We can be there for them on a personal level.

"With the amount of money put into this new system I just hope that everybody takes advantage of it and remains committed to education.'' Mathematics teacher Francine Childress felt that removing the concept of entrance examinations reduced academic pressure.

"The students seem to be having more fun learning in a relaxed environment,'' Mrs. Childress said. "They don't have the pressure of passing an exam to get into a high school they want because now all the schools are equal.'' Recalling soccer games and netball matches, a visit to Government House, an overnight camping trip to Paget Island, outings to the National Art Gallery and the Bermuda Aquarium Museum & Zoo, the students from Spice Valley are generally pleased with the new system.

Not only did they enjoy the outings, but they found classes fun as well.

"The teachers are very enthusiastic and classes are always fun,'' said 12-year-old Erinn Smith. "The students are eager to learn and everyone gets along.'' The students are in favour of rotating classes, saying that the changes prevent them from getting bored.

Classes in the middle schools last for 40 minutes, with doubles stretching to 80 minutes.

But the students do not consider the increased lesson time a burden.

"I think classes are just the right length,'' said 11-year-old Robert Richardson. "We have plenty of time to finish our work. I just don't like carrying our bags around all the time. We need some lockers.'' The students also enjoyed learning new subjects such as Spanish and design and technology, which they never had the chance to do before.

"I feel that learning new and different subjects is very exciting,'' 13-year-old Keona Bennett said. "I like it because I feel energised and excited to go to class and learn new things.'' The children also said they believed that the teachers at the Spice Valley Middle School were eager to help them succeed.

"The teachers try to make things fun for us,'' said Janaya Raynor 11. "They help us have more of an opportunity to be what we want when we grow up.

"But some of them say, `If you want fun, go to the movies'.'' Said 13-year-old Rebekah Cabrall: "Although some of the students are a little immature, most are friendly and we usually get along.

"The new system is a lot better because we are learning more and we have more opportunities.''