Saltus Grammar School is calling on past female graduates and teachers to become part of its Women's Celebration Committee.

The 2000/2001 academic year will mark 25 years of the Saltus Graduate Year (SGY) Programme and the 10th anniversary of the school becoming co-educational across all years.

And headmaster Nigel Kermode has called for a year-long celebration to bring attention to the influence of the women on the school since then.

"I think it is entirely appropriate and fitting to focus on the impact and contributions which women have made over the years,'' Mr. Kermode said.

In 1971, there were girls at Saltus in some of the lower age levels but it was not until 1975, when the SGY was instituted, that a true female presence was felt. Originally, a co-operative SGY programme was launched by Saltus and Bermuda High School for Girls.

There was almost an equal number of girls and boys in the programme's first year and it represented the first large influx of girls into the school.

In 1991, Saltus trustees made the decision to add girls to all year levels.

Mr. Kermode said the trustees did this in consideration of the female colleagues and supervisors the school's male graduates would encounter in their work environment.

To prepare for Saltus' year-long celebrations, the school is inviting a core group of outstanding female graduates to form a committee before the end of the current term.

"I would like to see as many of our female graduates and former staff as possible return to the school for such things as the annual prize giving ceremony, career day, our festive Christmas programme, the SGY open house and other events,'' he said.

Female graduates of Saltus who are interested in helping to plan activities can call Saltus Development Office at 292-6177 to volunteer or to be added to the mailing list.