Anthony Francis sounds like a man with a mission — a mission which cannot be allowed to fail.As the new chairman of the board of CedarBridge, he says in today’s Royal Gazette: “Berkeley, Warwick Academy and TN Tatem all have history — we’re creating our history right now.”History, so far, may not look too kindly on CedarBridge, so to start rewriting the history books is going to be a challenge. It has all too often been mired in stories of gangs, violence and poor exam results.Mr Francis talks of improving exam results, introducing new technical qualifications as well as qualifications in accounting and underwriting. In other words, he is hitting the right buttons for future job placements.He talks of having a Hall of Achievement — in other words, good role models to look up to and he is holding open evenings for parents, in other words he is encouraging the parents’ buy-in. Ultimately he has pledged to be graduating honour level students next year.It all sounds a bit like management speak, but Mr Francis appears to be pursuing a good business plan: Everything he says in the article makes sense.It will go towards changing the mindset and instilling a sense of pride within the school. If that happens, the way it is looked at externally will change.If that happens it will instil an even greater sense of pride within the school.If Mr Francis can do that, he will be doing the Country an enormous service — CedarBridge needs to succeed. It has to be the breeding ground of educational excellence, not the breeding ground of future gangsters.Can he do it? He can if he has everyone’s support — Government, parents, teachers, unions, the media and of course, the children. This newspaper wishes Mr Francis good luck.His job is not one to envy — but it is crucial for the future of so many young Bermudians. The Royal Gazette hopes he can consign the past to a footnote in future history books.