promising to take CedarBridge Academy to new heights.

"They (the students) will see some changes,'' deputy principal Kalmar Richards told The Royal Gazette .

"With respect to the standards that we set for them regarding their behaviour and their academics -- that's where they're going to notice it most.'' Mrs. Richards, who has been deputy principal since the school opened, will replace principal Ernest Payette this September.

Yesterday, she was obviously looking forward to the challenge, but admitted CedarBridge was still experiencing growing pains.

"Yes, I do recognise where we have our teething problems and we work to solve those,'' she said. "I'm constantly saying `That's our target, that's where we're going to be'. And we will get there. Without a doubt we will get there.

"We've got several years, I would say three to four years, before we truly establish ourselves.'' Many of the school's hurdles were simply not issues which could be easily -- or quickly -- resolved.

"I think initially...bringing students from five different schools together and helping them to develop a sense of oneness -- that we're on the same team, and we're part of the same family -- I think that in itself was challenging,'' she said.

"We should have anticipated that and so what we've done is we've tried to say `You're here, here are some of the different ways we're going to break you down' -- for example the houses that we have -- and we're just trying to develop that sense of family with them.'' And part of the process has been helping students understand exactly why the "state of the art'' school had been created, she said.

"I think once they understand the why, it will help them to adjust a lot better to this environment,'' said Mrs. Richards.

Although Principal Payette will leave after only two years, Mrs. Richards acknowledged the value of his contribution.

"We had an opportunity to merge and integrate our philosophies as well as many of the skills and talents that we have,'' she said.

"One of the things that I thank him for is getting CedarBridge Academy up and off the ground because I do recognise that it was a major, major task.'' On Monday, the shelves inside her office overflowed with flower bouquets from well wishers congratulating her recent appointment.

It was a sharp contrast to the assortment of despondent looking students outside her office who were waiting to suffer the "consequences'' of whatever rule-breaking act had brought them there.

While some of them may have awaited their repercussions from other deputy principals, others may have been unlucky enough to face Mrs. Richards herself.

"When I came here I knew that there were students who, perhaps from their perspective, didn't like me, or at least they thought they didn't and I'll tell you why,'' she said frankly.

"Because I have zero tolerance for misbehaviour. And I expect, in fact I insist, that students come here every day prepared to do what they have to do.

"And the students here will tell you, if they step out of line, expect to deal with Mrs. Richards.'' But, she pointed out, her discipline was tempered with equal doses of ready praise for any deserving student.

As the flowers showed, her style had obviously gained admirers.

"So now it's a different story because they know I want what is best for them,'' she said. "The standards are high because that's what is going to be when they get outside of here.

"They've come around -- because I'm not playing with them. I'm not here to play. Education is too serious.'' She's convinced the hard work of students and teachers alike is paying off.

"We are doing some fabulous things here which are show casing our students' talents. It's not always apparent in the community,'' she explained. "Not only with respect to talents, but also academics.

"We have students here who are achieving high standards... there are students with overall averages that are 90 percent and higher. Some of them 95 percent.'' With all the controversy surrounding CedarBridge's development, Mrs. Richards eased concerns about the imminent passing of the baton.

"I want to assure parents that the changeover should be seamless because they're bringing in someone who is an experienced principal, i.e. myself,'' she said.

"I also have the advantage of having been here almost two years now to look at what we're doing, to look at where we're heading.'' She also plans to "begin `aggressively'' sharing as much positive news as possible in order to tackle negative stereotypes surrounding the school.

Potential future ways or raising public awareness include distributing school newspapers throughout grocery stores and post offices, or inviting local dignitaries into the school, she said.

"The role of the whole community is critical to the success of CedarBridge.

We cannot just do it on our own,'' she said. "I want people in the community who have concerns to be a part of the solution and to work with us as we achieve our vision of excellence.

"Right now there are people who are perpetuating the stories about CedarBridge being such a horrible place and it isn't.

"We have to have people work with us, not against us. Don't undermine us with comments that put CedarBridge down. Rather come and say `What can I do?''