The senior secondary school board has come up with a name for the new school at Prospect which they hope will symbolise its purpose.

Chairman Garry Madeiros yesterday revealed that after careful deliberation, the board had decided to call the school Cedarbridge Academy, with a motto of "Unity, Understanding, Success''.

The name, he said, was a combination of suggestions made by high school students, who would be eligible to attend the new school, and board members.

"We wanted the name to be new, fresh and symbolic,'' Mr. Madeiros explained, "and we wanted it to be something with which all Bermudians -- not just one segment of our society -- could identify.'' The word cedar, he pointed out, was the perfect symbol for durability, strength and growth.

"It is a symbol with which all Bermudians can identify, no matter what their age, cultural or ethnic background,'' Mr. Madeiros said. "Like the new school and its student body-to-be, it is unique to Bermuda, a valuable and much-treasured product of our Island.

"It is protected in the same way we seek to protect our children. With its network of roots deeply embedded in the Island's rock, it aptly represents the hope for healthy growth of our students.'' Board member Sandra Bain added that just as cedar got better with age and deepened in value as it matured, so will the school and its students.

Mr. Madeiros noted that the word bridge symbolised the intent of the new school, "in that it seeks to bridge the educational and social gaps that currently exist by bringing all races, cultures and religions together under one roof''.

"Under that roof,'' he added, "they can grow mentally, socially and spiritually, forming bonds of friendship, tolerance and understanding that will endure and stand Bermuda in good stead for the future.'' Cedarbridge Academy is school's new name The board thought the word academy seemed appropriate because it represented a school offering education and training associated with scholars, writers, artists and technicians, Mr. Madeiros said.

And explaining how the board came up with the motto, he said: "Unity represents the bringing together of the races, sexes, religions and cultures so that they understand, support, defend and respect each other.

"The word `understanding' represents the comprehension of the knowledge that has been taught, empathy for one another's situations and the acceptance and reconciliation of the differences in the world in which we live. And the word `success' represents the growth or conversion of the young individual into a caring, responsible, trained and developed person who is able to contribute to society in a meaningful way.'' While stressing that he was delighted with the board's choice, Mr. Madeiros later told The Royal Gazette the name will only be as good as the reputation of the school. But he stressed that he expected the school to be a success.

Asked how he felt about the historical event of helping to create a new school, Mr. Madeiros said: "It's exciting and we're faced with little trepidation. But I hope that at the end of the day it will be looked on with pride.'' Meanwhile, head of Berkeley Institute's board of governors Calvin White said the 99-year-old school is expected to retain its name.