To some it symbolises the end of an era for schools rich in tradition. To others it means the beginning of a public school system which is truly equal in opportunity for every student.

But whatever the viewpoint about Government's education restructuring plans, it is clear that the state of Bermuda's future depends on its success.

And few are more aware of this than those who have been entrusted to lead the way at the pivotal point of the new system, the middle school level. In the second of a week-long series, The Royal Gazette 's News Editor Carol Parker Trott, talks to the Island's first middle school principals to get their reflections on the past system and their hopes and aims for the new.

Sandys Secondary this year celebrated its 70th anniversary with the theme "Carrying the Torch: past, present, and future''.

And principal Melvyn Bassett said the theme could not be more appropriate for the school which has come full circle.

Recalling that the school was the idea of William Robinson, the grandfather of Joseph Robinson a teacher there, Mr. Bassett said: "He felt children in the Somerset community should have the opportunity to learn in their own community.'' Sandys opened in October, 1927 in a home by Ely's Harbour in Somerset. It has moved from five locations, including in a house which still stands across the street from the school today.

It then moved to the trustees house which also still exists on the school's playing field.

"At one stage Sandys was an all-age school,'' Mr. Bassett pointed out. "The school's motto, Lux in tenebris (light in darkness), emanates out of a vision by Mr. Robinson to create a school for all.

"I believe that the board of governors see the opening of the middle school as this coming alive.'' But the school's board did not receive a proposal to change the school's name as easily.

Mr. Bassett said: "It was suggested that it be changed to the Scott Middle School or Louise Richards Middle School.

"Some felt that there were so many who contributed to the school that it would not be right to change the name. Others said it would be a disservice to the founders (not to change the name) because this was the vision they had.'' For that reason the school elected not to change its name. It will remain Sandys Secondary School, but it will be referred to as The Middle School at Sandys.

And Mr. Bassett, who has been advocating education reform for the past 27 years, stressed that it will be able to offer the best to students.

"I fought for 27 years to restructure this system,'' he said. "Back in 1973 people like Joe Stephens, who was a member of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, got the Minister to review the public school system.

"And I have devoted my entire professional career to seeing the change.'' While Sandys had always held its own, he admitted that the current system had not been easy on Sandys.

"We've lived through some very challenging times,'' Mr. Bassett recalled.

"We had a period when Jim Brock (1966 to early 1970s) was principal and we saw the academic programme really develop.

"We were the only general secondary school to offer all the sciences, mechanics, and hotel technology. We were preparing students for the work force.

"We had a day release programme whereby students were focussed on getting a job.'' The focus shifted with the introduction of the Bermuda Secondary School Certificate programme which placed a greater emphasis on academics and further education, he said.

"The impact of general schools versus academic schools began to be obvious,'' Mr. Bassett noted.

"Students who came to us perceived themselves to be second best. I don't think people who have not worked in schools realise the damaging impact that had on students. I think they were victims of the system.'' The school was also a victim of its geographic location, he added.

"Because the central schools built up and those schools that were formerly all white filled up, Sandys lost its prestigious place of being second to Berkeley,'' Mr. Bassett said.

"Some liked the history of the school and what it stood for. So the people who could not get into Berkeley, Warwick Academy, Whitney, Northlands, Warwick Secondary under the leadership of Randy Horton, came here.

"But we communicated to students failure and they were bright, capable people. They were only convinced in the last year or two of this. So a lot of kids who graduated during the early seventies or eighties are either sitting on walls or catching up.'' It was through the support of a long-serving, dedicated staff that Sandys was able to survive, Mr. Bassett said.

And ironically by changing to a middle school, Sandys will lose some of those staff.

Mr. Bassett said: "We would have kept 90 percent of those who are here. They are first-class professionals. There's some sadness attached when people like (deputy principal) Shirley White and (teacher) Joe Stephens leave. They have been the backbone of the school since I've been here. The Sandys family is not going to continue as we knew it.'' But he admitted that he was excited about the change.

"I have been the principal during the whole restructuring period because we were part of the EPT (Education Planning Team) and because we are an aided school. I was able, with the assistance of the board, to put in place a staff with some interest in training in middle school education.

We think we found a nice balance. We have experienced, senior members of staff who have been with us for years, and some new staff.'' Staff, parents, and the board have developed a mission statement for the school. And Mr. Bassett said it will be clear in the minds of teachers, parents and children what the school stood for.

"When students enter on day one they will feel an inviting environment and atmosphere,'' he said. "They are going to be nurtured by a team of teachers.

There will be team leaders and they will take responsibility for development of the child, academically, spiritually, and emotionally.

"This group, who will meet daily, will take responsibility for any problems that the child has.

"In addition to this we will have an advisor programme. We will have one teacher taking responsibility for approximately 12 students. That teacher will provide them with guidance -- personal, social and academic. Hopefully, there will be no gaps through which they can slip. Problems will be identified early.'' Mr. Bassett said Sandys has deliberately tried to get more male teachers. They will make up some 40 percent of the staff.

"We had a staff of 32 teachers, 17 of them were like dads to the students,'' he noted.

"We had 16 strong black males who were not afraid to say "boy sit down.

"Not only do male teachers have the ability to manage, but sometimes they are the only way students can relate. Sometimes they are the only men in a student's life. There have been meaningful relationships between male students and male teachers.'' With Government pumping some $7 million into the schools facilities, Sandys will have a new science classroom block, administration building, and an arcade joining the library with the main school building so that students no longer have to go outside to get to another class.

This part of the project is due to be completed in September. The entrance to the school will also change.

"The architect, Mark Benoit, has been very sensitive to the ideas teachers have and with his vision,'' Mr. Bassett said as he toured the facility.

"The school has been designed to address security issues. Because of the nature of the middle school concept, security in the sense of students will be built in. Small groups of students will be supervised by a team of teachers.'' Sandys' library, which already has computers, will also go on line on the Internet in September.

But Mr. Bassett said: "What will be really new is our opportunity to focus on our broader goals, to make Sandys a real community school.

"Already we have parents without children here asking if they can assist.

"They see the school as being the nucleus for the whole community.'' For example, Sandys will also offer an afterschool programme and it will "eventually'' have a community pool.

"I'm really excited,'' Mr. Bassett said. "I saw the conception and now I'm waiting around for the birth and growth.

"We're not compromising on what we need to provide to these children. We're offering a programme to ensure that they are ready for the 21st century.'' Sandys Fact The Middle School at Sandys Number of students: approximately 285.

Number of staff: 30.

School uniform: Colours to remain same, but students can wear white polo shirts with school name and girls can wear shorts.

School motto: Lux In Tenebris which means light in darkness.

Melvyn Bassett SANDYS EXTENSION -- Construction work continues on the administration building at Sandys which will become the middle school for the west end next month.