People must not neglect two fundamental factors which separate them from other species -- a sense of spirituality and the ability to communicate.

This was the message veteran educator Albert N. Tatem drove home during Berkeley Institute's centenary Founders' Day service at St. John's Church, in Pembroke.

Mr. Tatem, who taught in Canada for 32 years after being unable to secure a teaching job in Bermuda, was the first black superintendent of schools in North York, Toronto. He retired two years ago.

Speaking on Friday to fellow Berkeleyites, including students, staff, and former students, Mr. Tatem recalled that public schools once focused on religious studies.

"Today those methods are not somehow considered acceptable,'' said the former Berkeley student and son of one of its deputy principals.

He urged students not to neglect spirituality whether or not it was taught.

"If you wish to reach the height and depths of your intelligence do not neglect your spiritual,'' Mr. Tatem said.

He also urged the students to develop their vocabulary and communication skills. Without them, he noted, all the knowledge in the world will not help them to create the relationships needed to help others and Bermuda as a whole.

But in order to develop a sense of spirituality and the ability to communicate, Mr. Tatem said students will require focus, energy, and discrimination.

Noting that focus was the message in the school's motto -- "respice finem'' keep the end in view -- he told them: "Keeping focus will mean you will have to say no to people who will pull you down rather than build you up.'' Mr. Tatem also advised them not to be discouraged when people made light of their age and viewed them pessimistically.

"There will always be those who will seek to look on the negative side,'' he said. "But pursue your goals and remain focused.'' Describing what he meant by discrimination, Mr. Tatem said this was "the ability to recognise differences and choose the better way''.

"Such discrimination will not always be easy because sometimes values clash,'' he noted. "There is no road map, but you need to develop this ability as you grow.

"Learn to be truly educated people,'' Mr. Tatem urged. "Pursue your goals with focus, energy, and discrimination.'' "Remember that you are the men and women of the years to come. You are the men and women of the future.''