Berkeley Institute students had difficulty leaving assembly during the first day of school yesterday.

For the school, which has undergone some $600,000 worth of renovations, has an air conditioned assembly hall for the first time.

Its bathrooms have also undergone renovations for the first time.

And the 101-year-old school will have computers in every classroom by October 16.

After enduring vandalism and water problems, the school opened its doors to fourth-year students yesterday.

Students from middle school or Year Three are scheduled to start classes today. And fifth-year students will begin tomorrow.

Positive messages on notice boards are spread throughout the school.

But schools rules and the consequences of breaking them will also be made clear in assemblies for each year group.

And they will be reinforced by each classroom teacher, principal Michelle Gabisi stressed.

During a tour of the school, Ms Gabisi and chairman of Berkeley's Board of Governors Calvin White beamed with pride as they described improvements which have been made to the school during the summer and plans for the next three to four years.

Berkeley is scheduled to have a new "state-of-the-art'' facility by 2002.

Groundbreaking for the school, which is to be constructed on the 7.42-acre site across the street from the present school, is expected to begin in the spring. "We're looking forward to that move,'' Ms Gabisi said. "But we know we will have to function in a state-of-the-art environment.

"Therefore, we're excited about having the opportunity to use computers in the classroom and we're happy to have teachers taking on the role of facilitators.

"We want our students to take the leading role in learning.

"Teachers -- who will all receive laptop computers -- are also learning to use all the computers and the peripherals that go with the computers.

"It is a way for us to prepare for the state-of-the-art facility which we will have across the street.'' The school will continue to buy more computers until there is one for every student, Ms Gabisi added.

Laptops will not only be useful for the classrooms, but they will also make teachers' tasks more manageable.

"It will help them to spend more quality time with students, rather than preparing reports,'' Ms Gabisi explained.

In addition to the technological upgrade, the school also received -- compliments of Government -- the following: repainting to the interior and exterior, including the roof; upgrading to bathrooms and classrooms; some new furnishings; and new music equipment.

Both Ms Gabisi and Mr. White confirmed that there were no immediate plans for the old Berkeley buildings once the school has relocated.

"The school is probably in the best state than it has been in for years,'' Mr. White said. "We just have to concentrate on maintenance now.''