A trip to Pic du Midi de Bigorre – Lourdes Experience

On Monday, 1st July the group had a trip to Pic du Midi de Bigorre scheduled on the tour programme.  After a one-hour coach trip and two cable cars the group found themselves at a height of 2877m on top of the Perinea Mountain. Although the weather was foggy and at times the breath-taking view was not clear, the group still enjoyed the panoramic views surrounding the mountain.  The group also had time to see various interactive exhibitions and participated in presentations in the Planetarium and Observation Dome.

Back at the hotel they had time to rest.  At 6.15pm they had mass celebration at the hotel and after dinner the group prepared for the Aux Flambeaux Procession.

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Visit to the Cité de l’Espace, Toulouse – Lourdes Experience 2024

Tuesday, 2nd July – The scientific aspect of this trip to Lourdes reached its climax when the group visited the Cité de l’Espace (https://en.cite-espace.com/) in Toulouse.  This cultural and scientific centre answers the questions one has about exploration and spatial technology.

After a two-hour trip to Toulouse, the group started exploring various interactive exhibitions found at the park.  They had also the opportunity to watch a show about the story of the universe in one of the largest planetariums found in Europe.  Later they watched the film Deep Sky on a big screen in an IMAX cinema.  The group had also time to go around the exhibitions and they had a tour to explore various real size space vehicles spread throughout the large garden found in this complex.

Later the group had time to visit the centre of Toulouse, the Capitol main square and went around shops to buy souvenirs.  Back at the hotel, they had dinner and mass celebration and later they also participated in the Aux Flambeaux procession.

We thank God for another full day of activities.

   

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Faith and Science: Lourdes Experience 2024 – 1st Day

During this week, a group of 40 persons including students and their relatives and members of staff are experiencing together a trip to Lourdes.  Upon arrival, on Saturday evening the group visited the cave were Our Lady appeared.  The following morning, soon after breakfast, the group had the opportunity to visit the three Sanctuaries and the house of St Bernardette.  After they took part in the International Mass which takes place every Sunday in the St Pius X Basilica.  In the afternoon, the group visited the Betharram Caves.

The religious aspect of this trip shall include the participation in the Aux Flambeaux procession, meditation of the Holy Rosary and moments of prayer in the Adoration Chapel. The scientific aspect shall include a visit to Pic du Midi de Bigorre, an astronomic centre and science centre with a height of 2877m on the tallest mountain of the Perinea Mountains and a day trip to Toulouse visiting the Cité de l’Espace, a museum and scientific park spread over 4000m2 and dedicated completely to space and astronomy.

We wish this group a fruitful and unforgettable experience.

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Dissemination of eTwinning projects done during the Scholastic Year 2023/2024

During the above mentioned year, Italian students in Year 8, 10 and 11 participated in 3 eTwinning projects with students from other schools in Italy .

 

Leggende dei nostri territori

https://www.calameo.com/books/0067687537533d9cbd4cf

Italian students in Year 8 at St. Michael School in Santa Venera, Malta, participated in this project along with Italian students from ICS “Don Lorenzo Milani” Monte Porzio Catone (Rome).

“Each territory has its own landscape, as well as a literary, historical-artistic, ethnographic, and artisanal tradition that is worth rediscovering and told about”. The project therefore proposes to make one’s own territory  known, by promoting the comparison between different territories. This is  done by starting with legends, and then moving on to other realities present in the area.”

 

La Nostra Storia: il nostro passato, il nostro presente

https://www.calameo.com/books/00676875356b5b0a6f873

Year 10 students of Italian partecipated in this project along with students from 3 different Italian schools: Istituto Comprensivo 3 di Sora. Liceo Scientico Leonardo da Vinci, Sora, e Istituto Tecnico Agrario, Alvito.

“The project aims to help students rediscover their own territory, by drawing comparisons between different territories. This can be done by describing historical evidence such as castles, towers, abbeys, and so on, and then moving on to other realities present in the area such as festivals, typical dishes and traditions.”

 

Giornalino dei giovani

https://www.calameo.com/books/006768753a9b187ec9332

Year 11 students of Italian at St. Michael School in Santa Venera, Malta, participated in this project along with students from Liceo Scientifico Leonardo da Vinci, Sora.

“On taking up the project named “Giornalino dei Giovani”, the students are invited to create an eBook with articles based on themes related to sport, technology, and the environment. All the articles, according to different themes, are to reflect a particular topic, set every month. Once the articles are read, the students are able to work together by creating “blogs” on Twinspace, through which they are eventually required to share all the knowledge acquired from such articles that they have written themselves.”

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Last day for the Academic Staff

On Friday, 28th June 2024 all the members of staff gathered at the Conference Centre in Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan to spend a couple of hours together for an end of year celebration to praise the Lord for another scholastic year.  This year we also celebrated a number of members of staff who terminated or shall be terminating their role and work at school.

We started with mass celebration by Fr Charles Mallia, Carmelite Provincial and good friend of the MUSEUM society and our school.  During his homily, Fr Charles spoke about his admiration towards our school and the Headmaster, Mr Raymond D’Amato.  This friendship goes back to more than 40 years, when Fr Charles was Rector of St Elias College and later as Delegate of the Archbishop for the Catholic Education.

After a short coffee break, we had a presentation prepared by Mr Warren Busuttil where he set up a collection of photos to commemorate the memories of this scholastic year.  After, Mr D’Amato shared his last speech as Headmaster where he expressed his emotions and experiences lived throughout these years that he spent as Headmaster of St Michael School.  He also congratulated Mr Tabone, the new Headmaster and thanked everyone for the respect and love he was shown during all these years.  Mr Tabone presented a painting of St Michael, Patron Saint of our school as a farewell token to Mr D’Amato.

We then had informal time to eat lunch together.  We thank God for his help and protection during this scholastic year and throughout the years.  We wish everyone happy and restful holidays. Till we meet again in September!

 

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A day in Sicily

On Tuesday, 25th June we spent a day in Sicily together with students from Years 8, 9 and 10 who during this scholastic year obtained the largest number of positive reports.  At 4am we met at the Malta International Airport and at 6am we had our flight to Catania.  Upon arrival we had breakfast at the Palace Square and our students had a brief description of the old town of Catania which is full of baroque architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  We entered the Cathedral dedicated to St Agatha, who is the patron saint of Sicily and co-patron of Malta.  After breakfast we headed to the Etna Adventure Park.  The students enjoyed this adventure and at 12:30pm we left for lunch at Giardini Naxos.

After some time to rest, we went to Gole Dell’Alcantara botanical park which is full of geological gorges.  Thousand of years ago this gorge was blocked by a large amount of lava coming from Mount Etna.  The water cooled the lava and this lava crystallised forming large columns.  By time the lake formed naturally, and it created impressive valleys.  The students had time to enjoy the fresh cool water of these gorges.  After the Gole we spent time at Aci Castello were we had the opportunity to go inside the castle, built in 1076 by the Normans.  Before heading to the airport, we all enjoyed a delicious Sicilian ice-cream.  We then left for the airport to catch our flight back to Malta.

We would like to thank Mr Tabone and all the assistant heads who organised this day.  We also thank the other members of staff who accompanied the group and the parents for allowing their children to attend.  It was indeed a day full of activities and fun! A memory to treasure.

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Half day by the sea

On Monday, 24th June more than 130 students headed to Pretty Bay, B’Bugia for a well-deserved break after spending 15 days of exams.  After mass celebration at school, our students left to B’Bugia to spend some time together.  We would like to thank all the members of staff who commit themselves responsibly to organise these activities for our students.

We wish everyone restful and happy holidays!

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End of Scholastic Year Celebration

Every year, on the day of the last exam, everyone gathers in the school hall to celebrate together the end of the scholastic year.  This year this celebration was different from previous years since it was dedicated to 13 members of staff who shall be terminating their work at our school.  One of these staff members is the present headmaster who shall be retiring after his continuous service of 45 years to St Michael School.

At the end of this celebration the headmaster urged the students to make good use of the summer holidays ahead.  He encouraged them to find time to learn and read during these holidays.  He also thanked all the members of staff for their dedicated work at school and he thanked the students for their commitment in their studies.  After everyone gathered in the school ground to enjoy the fresh granita offered each year at the end of the scholastic year.

We wish everyone restful and happy holidays.

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Introductory meeting for the parents of new students

On Tuesday, 11th June we held an introductory meeting for the parents of new students who shall be joining our school during next scholastic year.  During this meeting we briefed the parents about the educational vision of our school.  We appreciate the attendance and the interest shown during this meeting, and we thank the parents for trusting us with the education of their children.  Congratulations to the new students and we wish them all a fruitful experience at St Michael School.

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Graduation Celebration 2024

On Tuesday 4th June, we celebrated the graduation of our Year 11 students who terminated their secondary course at our school.  It was a special evening and students, parents and staff members gathered in the school hall for a programme organised specifically for this occasion.  The evening kicked off by a moment of prayer.  Soon after,  two students read excerpts from Abraham Lincoln’s letter to his son’s teacher.  The evening continued with music pieces by the students, sharing of experiences and a speech by the Director and the Headmaster.  The certificates were then awarded, and memories were renewed by watching several photos taken during these last five years.

The celebration continued in the school garden which was decorated for the occasion.  The atmosphere was very pleasant with music playing and good food served.

We would like to thank all those who had a role to help these youths in their education.  We would also like to thank the members of staff who worked together to prepare for this celebration.  Another praise goes to the parents of these students for co-operating with us for the best of their children.  We congratulate these students and wish them all the best for their future.

 

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