mater, Berkeley Institute.

But, the 39-year-old science teacher told The Royal Gazette yesterday, she never dreamed of becoming the school's first female principal, particularly at a time when Berkeley is nearing a pivotal period in its 95-year history.

Under Government's education reform plans, the historically academic school in 1995 will become one of only two senior high schools available in the public school system.

And while not expecting to head the school, the former Berkeley chemistry and biology teacher said she is prepared to meet the challenge from January next year.

"I am a former girl guide and our motto has always been `be prepared','' Mrs.

Gabisi said. "I've been preparing myself to meet whatever challenges might be thrown my way. I think I'm the kind of person who just likes to grow.

"I enjoy challenges and therefore when I saw the post of principal of Berkeley advertised and held up my qualifications and experience to the job advertisement I said `Michelle have a go, you never know'.'' But the confident achiever admits when she received the good news earlier this week, she was "shocked and excited''.

"I said are you sure it's me,'' she recalled. "I had every emotion that you could imagine and it took me a while to really believe I had been offered this job.'' But the news did not come as a shock to those who know Mrs. Gabisi's accomplishments locally and abroad.

Daughter of Mrs. Marjorie Grant and the late Mr. Phillip Grant, and sister of former Berkeley board of governors head and lawyer Mrs. Sonia Grant, Mrs.

Gabisi left teaching at Berkeley in 1978 to be with her husband, Ola, who was stationed in England.

At Latymer School in London, she taught `A' level and `O' level chemistry.

Three years later the couple moved to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where Mrs.

Gabisi worked at River State School of Basic Studies as a chemistry lecturer in charge of the practical programme she set up, while her husband, who is from Sierra Leone, West Africa, worked for the Federal Government College.

She decided to return home with her husband in 1982 and taught at Warwick Secondary for a term before becoming a chemistry and physics teacher at Bermuda High School for Girls.

During her 10 years at BHS, Mrs. Gabisi has performed such duties as organising a student leadership conference and developing a system of staff evaluation in addition to heading the school's secondary department.

And while honoured by her "promotion'', Mrs. Gabisi said "I don't see it as the pinnacle of my career''.

Last night her mother said, from the family's Devonshire homestead, she is delighted with her daughter's latest achievement.

"It's not an easy position she is going into,'' Mrs. Grant said. "But she's handled herself well in England, in Nigeria and back here at Bermuda High School, so I know she will do well at her alma mater.'' While Mrs. Gabisi has ideas and plans for leading Berkeley through education reforms and into the 21st century, she declined to discuss them publicly before meeting with Berkeley's staff.

"Obviously I'm anxious to meet with all the staff and I would like to hear from them what their concerns are, what their needs are and I too will share with them whatever ideas I have about plans from Berkeley,'' she said.

"Having accepted the position two days ago, there are very few comments I can make on any aspect of school life at Berkeley because I would just be going on innuendo or what I've heard. I'm a firm believer in finding out first hand for myself and moving on from there.

"But obviously, the purpose of any school is to provide an environment in which young people can grow and reach their full potential. And I'm sure that that is going to be a goal that we, as a team at Berkeley, will achieve.'' Mrs. Gabisi noted that Berkeley is going to be in a very unique position when it becomes a senior secondary school.

But she said: "I think we won't have to do very much to see that Berkeley is in a good position to be accepting students from all over this Island.

"Obviously there are major changes whenever you restructure anywhere. I'm just very excited about the changes ahead and I look forward to hearing some more about the plans for Berkeley after 1995.'' Mrs. Gabisi did however indicate that she expects high standards of discipline from her students.

Although soft-spoken, the confident teacher left no doubt that she believes a woman can rule with a firm hand.

"Just talk to my students,'' she said with a smile. "And observe their conduct outside of the school.

"I always work to encourage self discipline because ultimately that is the goal of any education establishment, not the meting out of punishment.'' Mrs. Gabisi said while leaving BHS after 10 years was a tough decision "I see myself going back to a school that meant an awful lot to me and of course I feel very, very positive about making a contribution to my alma mater''.

BERKELEY'S NEW PRINCIPAL -- Mrs. Michelle Gabisi, who becomes Berkeley's first female principal in January.