Bermuda's largest school opened yesterday with passing grades from officials and most students.

And principal Ernest Payette, who was at CedarBridge Academy's entrance at the beginning and end of the day, said he anticipated that experiences at the school will only get better.

Hundreds of students between the ages of 14 and 18 made history as they entered through the gates of the "state-of-the-art'' facility at Prospect.

But none escaped the watchful eyes of teachers who instructed some to tidy up and remove unacceptable jewellery.

Mr. Payette, teachers, security guards, and Public Transportation Board officials, including Transport Minister Wayne Furbert, were also on hand at the end of the school day to see the students off safely.

With the first day of school behind them, many students were more than anxious to jump on their bikes or the first bus which pulled up at the school.

But some mingled around the entrance with old and new friends.

the first day of school tended to be as diverse as they were. A fourth-year-female student, who claimed she spent the whole day waiting for her schedule to be sorted out, said: "It was boring. This school is unorganised. I still do not have my schedule. I could have been home watching soap operas.'' And a Year Five female student joined in saying: "I don't think a 40-minute lunch is right. We have no recess. The teachers are hyper and the bathrooms are not clean. The whole day was a mess.'' But others had no complaints about the historic day. Other than a slight difficulty in finding her classes, Andrea Brangman of Year Five, said: "All and all it was okay. I met a couple of new people. We basically got to know each other.'' Aswena Greenidge, also of Year Five, said she enjoyed her first day. And she said she had no difficulty getting around. "It's easy,'' she said. "And if you get lost, teachers are more than willing to help out.'' Year Three student Hadyyah Tweed, who had classes in mathematics, dance, and physical education, said she had fun. And three Year Four students agreed. "It was very nice,'' said Fatima McDuffie. "I got lost a few times. But I found my way around pretty fast.'' Fatima said she was also impressed with the school's cafeteria which serves "a big meal for $3.50''. "I had chicken, pasta, and salad,'' she noted. But Fatima and her friends, Maskela-Kristos Maryam and Nicole Brockington, said they had little time to enjoy their lunch. "We had to rush our lunch in order to get back to class,'' they said in unison. The school has three staggered lunch periods -- 11.45 a.m. to 12.25 p.m., 12.30 to 1.10 p.m., and 1.15 to 1.55 p.m. -- for security and convenience. The bus system has also been designed to accommodate students. Fourteen-year-old Jecon Tuckett said he had no trouble taking the bus to the school from Bailey's Bay and back. But both Mr. Furbert and Mr. Payette admitted that not all of the students were taking advantage of the new system. "This morning we had a lot of kids coming in (on the bus),'' Mr. Furbert said. "I was surprised at the number that didn't ride to school. But it doesn't seem to be as many (on the bus) this afternoon. I don't know if they are walking into town.'' He said officials planned to observe the patterns for a while to gauge the demand for buses. Mr.

Furbert also admitted that it will be very difficult to keep some students away from the bus depot in Hamilton. "That's where parents' responsibility comes in,'' he said. "Parents will have to play a key role in behaviour modification. Principals and teachers can only do so much. Hopefully, as time goes on they will do better.'' Both Mr. Payette and PTB director Herman Basden echoed similar sentiments. "Overall the performance was satisfactory,'' Mr.

Basden said of the bus service. "At least we drew up a schedule and hit it pretty close. We will monitor the situation for the next week or two.'' "There was little more chaos than we would have liked,'' Mr. Payette said.

"But we're learning. As we go along it will get better. Most of them