The success of the Island's first senior secondary school will depend on community and business involvement.

CedarBridge Academy principal Ernest Payette drove this message home at the Chamber of Commerce's luncheon at The Princess hotel yesterday.

Speaking after the Chamber's annual general meeting, Mr. Payette stressed that while CedarBridge had many goals, they could not be achieved in isolation.

Among the goals set out for the school, scheduled to open in September, were: to be a school with standards that will stand up to national and international scrutiny; to play a role in the personal development of young people; to lay the foundation for students to cope in a country where interdependency may link their world to others; and to prepare students to compete globally.

But Mr. Payette noted it was "most important'' that CedarBridge was an institution that advocated on behalf of young people.

"If schools don't advocate for young people, then who will?'' he asked.

Noting that students were expected to leave the senior school level with a wide range of opportunities ahead of them whether they chose to attend colleges, universities, or technical schools, or to enter the workforce, Mr.

Payette said: "Too many young people do not realise the importance of education in terms of success.

"We understand that every student cannot be brilliant, but each can recognise success.

"We have a role to play by telling students this is important. We need to put our money as well as our good will up front.'' Mr. Payette also pointed out that students and teachers needed to feel valued.

And he said CedarBridge intended to build strong relationships in and outside the complex.

But he stressed that the community and business sector also had to do their part.

"This must include parents, community agencies and others who have an interest in the well being of our young people,'' Mr. Payette said.

"CedarBridge will develop political and financial relationships in the community,'' he added. "As a senior school it must form partnerships with agencies which support youth. Social agencies and business agencies must take on partnerships with the school if we are to see the well being of that child.'' Such partnerships can be formal -- such as work shadowing -- or in the form of mentoring, Mr. Payette explained.

But he stressed that if any partnership was to "work right'', it would take commitment.

"Change is rapid,'' he told the representatives of the business sector. "Who has their hands on that pulse more than you. Businesses can keep us in touch with the reality you face.

"You can help us succeed in meeting our motto -- unity, understanding, success. And as partners you can go a long way to ensure that CedarBridge is a success.''