Throughout all of the highs, lows, tribulations and bad press to hit Cedarbridge Academy since it opened in September 1997, there has been one person whose passion, belief and encouragement has never faltered.

While many headteachers may have hit back, lost their patience or even thrown in the towel, principal Kalmar Richards has remained dignified and strong throughout, instead, choosing to provide a calming influence on the school and its community.

She started out as deputy principal but was promoted after just a couple of years and has helped to steer the Island's largest school onto a stable and progressive path.

And with her hard line on behaviour, manners, uniform, work ethic and attitude, her well-known phrase "students of excellence" is now becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Next month, the S4 year will graduate after being the first students to go through the new middle and secondary school system, and the additional senior four year, which was added last year to bring Bermuda in line with the US.

Instead of graduating at the age of 17, students now graduate a year later, meaning they have more time to hone their skills, brush up their academics and develop a mature attitude to their work.

But Mrs. Richards insisted that S4 students will not have it easier than previous years. On the contrary, they have higher standards to meet.

And the principal said, therefore, she was not necessarily expecting more students to graduate this year than in the past.

"This is our fifth graduation this year, and it will be very special because these are the students who have come through the re-structured system," said Mrs. Richards.

"They have come through a system where the curriculum has been more rigorous, the standards higher and they have had to work very hard.

"We have required our students with the new curriculum to use higher thinking skills; there is more information technology involved, more research, more writing and more project work.

"But many have met the challenge and we are very excited about this year. We can't fail to be excited by them."

Mrs. Richards said she was very aware that while many students had been able to meet the raised bar, some had not.

And she said that was why CedarBridge was attempting to offer greater variety in the final exams that students could take. This year it has piloted the GED programme for those students who struggled with the usual Bermuda School Certificate (BSC).

However, she said it would only be available to a handful of students each year.

And for those students who are more practically-minded and wish to leave school and start work, there is the AQA, which provides exams in English and Maths, along with some work experience.

"The standard the students have to meet now is much higher than when we first started, and not all students have met that standard," added the principal.

"But we have been very diligent in communicating what that standard is, meeting with students and parents. We have three different tracks that they have taken."

To demonstrate the higher standards in place, Mrs. Richards said when the school first opened she introduced an honours list for those students who reached an overall average of 75. She said, back then, students were allowed to fail in one or two areas, and about 25 percent of students managed to make the honours list.

By that same criteria, Mrs. Richards said 33 percent of students would have been on the honours list. However, the criteria has changed and students are no longer able to fail at all. But still, some 22 percent are honour students.

And when the school first opened, students could pass the Bermuda Secondary school Certificate, now known as the BSC, provided they got 40 percent of the marks or more.

But now, both CedarBridge and Berkeley Institute insist on a 60 percent grade for a pass.

"These S4 year students are much more mature than we have seen in previous graduating years simply because they have had an extra year," said the principal.

"It's like dealing with adults - some are 18 and 19 - and we have seen a big difference in dealing with them on issues that come up.

"Not all students last year stayed on for the extra year, but most did and I think they have really enjoyed it. Their time is more flexible, just like college students, and they have had to manage their time and meet deadlines.

"We have lifted the bar at CedarBridge and we will always continue to lift it because we believe students will always try to reach that bar.

"And we have seen the changes in students since the school first opened."

Mrs. Richards said the biggest noticeable change was in attitudes.

"When I first came hear I used to hear 'I don't know why they built this school', but now I hear 'Mrs. Richards, we are the best'.

"The first few years, children were coming with bad attitudes and that was the majority, but now it is the minority.

"Now they refer to each other as students of excellence.

"We have students who are thrilled to come here. I believe in what we offer here. It's really affirming that a number of our staff members have their children here, too. In the beginning, there were few, if any. Now we have 16 or 17."

And since a number of students were removed from CedarBridge last September due to bad behaviour, and transferred instead to The Educational Centre, Mrs. Richards said the school had settled down even more.

She said: "When I think back to the number of students we sent to the office - it was constant. Now, we still have some defiance and disrespect, but the numbers are very small.

"When I personally deal with issues of discipline, I make my position very clear that this had better be the first and last time. There is no nonsense in this school and defiance and lack of respect are not what make up children of excellence.

"It was obvious that the school was not working for a number of students, so they were removed and I am pleased to say that I have been told that they are now doing much better. And for the students who have been left behind, it is quieter with less disruption. It has worked for everyone.

"But it will be an on-going process, and there have been a further 20 students who are recommended for The Educational Centre this year."

And the principal said she would have no hesitation in advising any parent to send their child to CedarBridge Academy.

"Anyone who sends their children here can be assured that if their children take full advantage of what is on offer, they will do very well.

"We have got a number of students who have won scholarships and are going on to wonderful opportunities. There is absolutely no reason why they should fail or why they should not meet their full potential."

In Tuesday's Royal Gazette:Focus on students and teachers