The majority of Berkeley Institute students are making a positive contribution to their school environment, said Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith.

Speaking in the House of Assembly, Dame Jennifer said it was unfortunate that the media highlighted so much negative activity committed by only a small minority.

She said that while the Education Ministry would continue to focus on the issues that needed to be addressed within the school system, they would also highlight and celebrate the successes.

Dame Jennifer attended Berkeley's prizegiving ceremony on Thursday night and said she was "impressed and proud" of the accomplishments of outstanding young people there.

She singled out Stefanny Sanchez, an S3 high honours student, and S2 high honours students Marshall Stoneham, Sudan Furbert and Tashel Bean, for their achievements.

She said: "There were several success stories but the students I have mentioned by name stand out as well-rounded models for their peers to emulate.

"We have much to celebrate as we look at the achievements of our young people and I look forward to learning about the achievements of our CedarBridge students at their prizegiving on [November] 30."

Dame Jennifer said more than one-third of the student body at the Berkeley Institute approximately 224 students achieved academic honours in June.

She said the high school had also seen positive growth in its GCSE results, with the most significant improvement in maths and English.

"There were 195 GCSE entries in May/June 2010 and the overall pass rate was 78.5 percent Fifty-two candidates wrote mathematics and 89.6 percent of their grades were in the A to C range.

"In comparison, 58.4 percent of all students writing GCSE mathematics in the UK earned grades in the A to C range. Sixty students wrote GCSE English language and of that group, 69.5 percent earned grades of A to C as compared to the UK national average of 64.7 percent."

Dame Jennifer said her statement to the Bermuda Union of Teachers earlier this month that all is not well in the education system remained accurate but, she added, "it is also true that all is not lost".

"I believe that it is important to hold up and encourage hardworking dedicated teachers and hardworking dedicated students even while we work to ensure that all students have a positive school experience.

"Berkeley's prizegiving offers a perfect opportunity for us to accentuate the positive. I have previously stated that I intend to keep this House and the community at large informed about what we are doing in education. This means that I will share both the good and the bad."