Ash Wednesday – Beginning of Lent

On Wednesday, 22nd February  we celebrated Ash Wednesday.  This celebration which took place in the school hall started by an address by our Chaplain who spoke about Carlo Acutis and Gilbert Simiana.  These two youths are an example to our students and to everyone because although they faced many challenges, they never lost hope in God.  During this Lenten period we plan to organise a number of events for our students to help them learn more about Carlo Acutis and Gilbert Simiana and the life they led when they were alive.

During the homily, Fr Carl who celebrated mass, reminded us that Lent is not only the time to make sacrifices by not eating sweets, but also to manage time better.  He also highlighted the importance of prayer and charity during this time.

Finally, the Headmaster urged that another form of sacrifice can be more commitment by everyone to carry out our duties in the best way possible.  He also announced that at school we shall have a charity box for all those who wish to offer donations for charity.

 

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Sports Day 2023

On Friday, 17th February we celebrated Sports Day at our School.  After days of cold weather, heavy rain, and windy days today it was the perfect sunny day.  Students entered school wearing different coloured t-shirts according to their respective Houses.  They were full of energy and enthusiasm for the day ahead.  Soon after assembly, the Sports Day kicked off with a parade from all the Houses.

During this Sports Day, our students had the opportunity to take part in Obstacle Races, Relay Races, Dodge Ball, Water Dodge Ball, Sumo Fights, Hanging Challenges, Table Tennis and Chess.  The highlight of the day was the Futsal Tournament for the Year 11 students and at 2pm everyone gathered in the gym for the final between the Phoenician House and The Normans, which was eventually won by the Phoenicians.

The Headmaster thanked the students for their attendance and for their well-behaved participation throughout the Sports Day.  He then announced the winners of Sports Day 2023 who were the Cavaliers.

We would like to thank our PE teachers, Mr Luke Borg, and Mr Luke Busuttil for organising this Sports Day.  Thank you also to the House Leaders and all members of staff for their commitment in guiding and supporting our students during the races, and to all those members of staff who prepared the hot dogs to make this day an even more special one.  Thanks also to Mr Calleja for taking care of the sound and the music, Mr Abela for taking care of the injured in the clinic, and Mr Micallef and his team for co-ordinating the points through an IT system.  We would also like to thank Mr Galea Pirotta and Mr Ian Borg for taking photos and videos and capturing lovely shots of this memorable event.

After a tiring day a sports day entails, we all deserve a short break.  Happy Carnival holidays to everyone.  Tomorrow we shall be publishing more photos.

Sports Day Highlights https://youtu.be/D_eG6Qh9Xxk  – Video editing: Mr Ian Borg. Photos: Mr Neville Galea Pirotta and Mr Ian Borg.

 

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Macbeth at the Manoel Theatre

On Thursday, 16th February our Year 10 and Year 11 students who learn literature went for an outing at the Manoel Theatre to watch the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare.  We would like to thank our English teachers who took this initiative and offered this experience to our students.

 

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Year 11 Art Students visit MCAST of Creative Art in Mosta

Monday, 13th February a group of Year 11 students who study Art at school had a visit at MCAST of Creative Art in Mosta.  During this visit, our students had the opportunity to speak with the MCAST teachers and go around various workshops.  Our students had also time to visit the various studios found at MCAST.  These include media, photography, ceramic, metal, fabric, jewellery, wood, and stone sculpture.

We would like to thank Ms Laura Cachia, our Art teacher and Mr Azzopardi, our Guidance teacher who offered this opportunity to our students.

 

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Safeguarding Training

On Thursday, 9th February our school staff had a training session about our responsibilities towards our students.  Mr Andrew Azzopardi, Head of the Safeguarding Commission of the Church and Ms Carly Zarb, Social Worker in the same commission shared ethical and legal reflections of how we should safeguard the wellbeing of our students in the correct way.

This seminar commenced with a reflection by the school Chaplain on the school ethos and ended by a message from the Headmaster quoting Saint Ġorġ Preca’s words “It-tfal għandhom ikunu għalina l-mimmi t’għajnejna” – “Children should be the apple of our eye”.

We thank God for giving us the opportunity to work among children and we pray St Michael to help us accomplish our work.

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Caritas Prevention Focus Programme Seminars

Wednesday, 8th February our Year 10 students had a seminar on how to make good use of internet. This seminar, which was held in the new offices of Caritas in Blata l-Bajda, happened exactly when the world is celebrating World Internet Security Day.  Our students were addressed by two professionals:  Professor Alexei Dingli, Senior Lecturer of Artificial Intelligence in the Faculty of ICT of the University of Malta, and Dr Anna Vella, Clinical Chair who has been working in the Substance Misuse Outpatients Unit (Sedqa: National Agency for Dependencies) for the past 25 years.  After a break in the Caritas penthouse, our students had the opportunity to ask several questions to these experts.  We hope that these occasions keep helping our students to learn more about these addictions.

We would like to thank the Caritas officials who kindly offered this opportunity to our students and thanks also to Professor Dingli and Dr Vella for their presentations.

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Visit to Junior College

On Tuesday, 7th February our Year 11 students had an orientation visit to Junior College.  First, they had a talk with the Guidance Teacher and later they divided themselves in groups of four and went around the classes and other places where probably most of them will be studying in the next nine months.  This visit was very appreciated, and our students showed great interest.  We would like to thank our guidance teachers who organized this visit, which is one from a series of activities planned for our students to help them familiarize themselves with post-secondary institutions.

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Don Peppe Diana – Experience by Mr Gerardo Monopoli

Gerardo Monopoli, an ex-Italian policeman addressed our Year 9 students by means of a cineforum.  Twenty-nine years ago, the Napolitan Mafia killed his best friend Don Peppe Diana.  The message by Don Diana was one of justice, loyalty, and Christian love.  Gerardo conveyed this message in a very emotional way even because he had spent three years with Don Diana in the Naples Seminary.  Our students appreciated this valued experience.  Mr Aloisio was present and helped Mr Monopoli with the translation of the message.  Mr Aloisio is also the author of three books about the Mafia.  Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona, a friend of Gerardo Monopoli was also present.  We would like to thank him for attending, his presence was truly appreciated by our school.  We presented Archbishop Cremona with two books, one about our school and another one about the Mafia (Sfidaw lill-Mafja).  Both books by Robert Aloisio.

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Experience at Youth Inc

On Friday, 3rd February  three Year 11 students and their families had a very interesting experience at Youth Inc, a programme within the Youth Agency.  Mr Azzopardi, our guidance teacher, Mr Bonnici INCO and LSEs Mr Axisa and Mr Camilleri Haber accompanied these students for an informative meeting regarding the post-secondary course offered to youths who decide to continue their studies in communicative and judiciary tradesmanship.  After the meeting, our students had the opportunity to explore the place and mix with other youths who are already following this programme.  We thank the Youth Inc staff for the opportunity given to our students.  We also thank our members of staff who commit themselves to offer such experiences to our students.

 

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Year 9 Live-In – 2nd and 3rd Day

On Thurdsay, 2nd February our students woke up and had breakfast.  Soon after they gathered and walked together to the Chapel to celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord where they had an animated mass.  After mass they continued to work on the project “Nies ta’ Sinsla” which will be presented in front of the parents at the end of the live-in.  Then they continued watching the film “Unbroken”.  After a delicious lunch they walked to the Zokrija school where they played football in the school ground.  Back at the home they ate a pizza and set off for a night hike!

Friday, 3rd February – Last Day of the Year 9 Live-in!

After breakfast and mass our Year 9 students continued to work on the project.  Then they set off for a walk to the Bidnija church and had a Scavenger Photo Hunt.  After lunch they set off to Għajn Tuffieħa to play on the sand.  Back at the home our students packed their belongings and set off to school to meet their parents who were eager to hear about this live-in experience.  They gathered in the school hall to watch a presentation on the project and various photos taken during the live-in.  The evening came to an end with an informal reception where we shared the delicious food brought along by the parents.

We would like to thank Mr Chris Aquilina who co-ordinated this live-in and all the teachers and LSEs who commit themselves and dedicate their time so that these live ins can be organised.  We would also like to thank the parents for their appreciation towards the school.

   

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