Island NotebookBerkelyites by the hundreds have Mrs. Michelle P. Simmons to credit for a really hectic and most stimulating weekend, trying to keep abreast of the multiple activities celebrating and honouring her retirement after 20 years as principal of the Berkeley Institute.It all began with a special assembly at the school campus Friday, climaxed the next night at the social centre of the Bermuda National Museum’s ‘Keep’ in the Dockyard. And it panned out on Sunday at the morning worship service of Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Hamilton. The newly installed Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, Rt. Rev. Nicholas Dill, in his sermon cited her accomplishments as an educator, a Eucharist Minister and lifelong member of the Cathedral.Mrs. Simmons was likewise hailed by the Governor George Ferguson and his wife at the reception in the hall following the service.Major highlights of the social at the Dockyard ‘Keep’ were endless tributes to Mrs Simmons from the Berkeley friends, faculty staff and colleagues including Deputy Principals Tiannia Symonds and Nadia Robinson. There were more tangible presentations by Chairman Sinclair White of the Berkeley Educational Society on behalf of the society, the Berkeley Board of Governors, Faculty and Staff and the Berkeley Parent-Teachers Association.The gifts included a gold necklace with a diamond-studded Berkeley Institute crest; a five-thousand-dollar travel voucher and an iPad.Master of Ceremonies for ‘The Keep’ event, Sean Tucker introduced the school chaplain, Pastor Dr. Maria Seaman for the opening prayer; the Minister of Education, Hon. Nalton S. Brangman for his tribute. There was a dance performance tribute on behalf of the Berkeley Institute Arts Department, coordinated by Ms. Nakia Manders.The school band under direction of Mr. John Woolridge provided the background music between tributes; and for the singing by the School Choir of a tribute to Mrs. Simmons produced by Mr. Woolridge, who is author and producer of the popular song ‘Proud to Be Bermudian’.Most engrossing part of the evening was a dialogue between former BI teachers Gary Phillips, OBE, and Robert Horton eloquently dramatising phases of Mrs. Simmons’ career from her earliest school days up to to her impending retirement.Excerpts from their dialogue are in adjoining column.