The Year 8 students who are learning Italian prepared a Christmas card for their penfriend as part of the eTwinning project. We thank Ms Sharon Abdilla for this initiative.
On Tuesday, 15th November the school basketball team participated in a competition at Savio College. Our students had the opportunity to mix with other students from different schools.
We would like to thank Mr Busuttil, our PE teacher for co-ordinating this basketball team and thanks also to our students who took part in this competition.
Today the group of Year 9 students who follow the Prince’s Trust course at school had an assignment about Healthy Lifestyle where they had to plan a nutritious meal. They bought the necessary ingredients and together with their teacher they prepared a plate of rice with chicken, orange juice and fruit and yogurt parfait.
We would like to thank Ms Laura Cachia and Ms Sarah Camilleri for this initiative.
The Year 8 live-in kicked off on Wednesday, 2nd November. It was held at Mount St Joseph Retreat House. The enthusiastic Year 8 students gathered for this much awaited live-in at 3pm. They set off for a hike in the area and later had a discussion related to the theme of this live-in. After dinner they watched part of the first part of the film Wonder.
On Thursday, 3rd November our students woke up for another full day of activities. After breakfast and mass, they watched three short features and had a discussion on each one. A number of LSEs present explained different conditions they cope with on a daily basis highlighting the live-in theme.
After a delicious lunch they left for a hike from Manikata to Gnejna enjoying the beautiful views. Back at the retreat house they had dinner and continued watching the second part of the film Wonder.
On Friday 4th November the students had breakfast and after mass they discussed the film Wonder. Soon after they started working on a project where they were invited to show their creativity by preparing posters and slogans on the theme of human dignity and inclusion. After lunch they set off to Buskett and they played organised games prepared by the teachers. The live-in came to an end with the participation of the parents. We would like to thank the parents for their appreciation they show towards the work we carry out with their children.
We would also like to thank the members of staff for the time and dedication they offer to our students during these activities to make these experiences memorable. Thanks also to the staff and volunteers of Mount St Joseph for their patience and services they offer.
Soon after World War 2, the Education in Malta was not available to all those who wanted to learn. Secondary Education was not compulsory like it is nowadays and at that time there was only one lyceum and only a couple of church secondary schools. Anthony Agius, who was a Dockyard employer from Ħamrun, and also a member of the Museum Society, felt the need to open a school with the intention to prepare boys for an apprentice exam which would enable them to join the Dockyard. In 1946, Mr Agius resigned from work, risking his financial income.
Anthony Agius explained how he had met Dun George Preca on the stairs of the San Gaetan Church in Ħamrun and told him about his idea.” Next Monday Villa Violette will open as a school and all the teachers shall be members of the Society of Christian Doctrine”. Dun George was very pleased with the news and asked Mr Agius to kneel down so he could give him his blessing. This happened exactly 76years ago, on the 4th of November 1946 when Anthony Agius became the first Headmaster of St Michael School, assisted by Carmel Callus, Superior General of the Society. That day the school welcomed its first pupils of St Michael School in Villa Violette, Marsa.
We thank God for the inspiration of Anthony Agius, the blessing of Saint George Preca, and the hard work of many educators and workers of the school throughout all these years. It is thanks to them that till today so much good is delivered and so many fruitful experiences are shared. Let us all unite together to thank God for all the blessings we received and keep receiving.
During these holidays, a movable partition in the Physics Laboratory was installed in order to create two learning areas. Although the school premises offer large space there are times when we still need more learning space especially for the Science groups.
The reason for opting for a movable partition instead of a permanent gypsum wall is to keep enjoying this laboratory when the need arises.
We would like to thank Project Technik Ltd for their professional work and for adhering to the terms established. Thanks also to our staff at school for their work and for cleaning the laboratory, and heartfelt thanks to you parents for supporting us with your donations so that we can undertake projects like this. The cost of this partition amounted to €15,500.
Everyone deserves to have a rest. We thank God for the first five weeks of this scholastic year. School life has been full of activity. We had parents’ meetings, CaritasFest and various activities for our students. We look forward to continue this scholastic year with enthusiasm!
On Tuesday 1 November we remember and celebrate all the saints, those well-known and the anonymous, who passed to their eternal reward ahead of us. Now they find delight in God’s presence in heaven, after their life here on earth, where, despite the challenges, they sought to love God and others as much as they could. As we honour these saints, we should not forget that even we are called to live a holy life, based on the values of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we do so, may we all sustain one another.
On the following day, Wednesday 2 November, we remember the faithful departed, our loved ones who passed away, and especially those who are in purgatory, waiting to be purified even from their slightest attachment to sin which impedes them from entering heaven. Therefore, we pray for the repose of their souls: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
On these two days, let’s try and find time to attend Holy Mass, as we pray to the saints to help us become more like them, Christ-like, and remember the souls in purgatory that God our Father calls them with him for their eternal reward in heaven.
On Monday, 24th October a group of six teachers from Novara, Italy came to Malta as part of the Erasmus+ Programme.
These teachers who teach in secondary, middle and vocational schools asked to perform Job Shadowing and spend a week participating and making observations in our school. During this week they had various meetings with the school administration and with different teachers. They followed lessons and observed teachers, LSEs and students.
We are sure that this was a very positive experience for both Italian teachers and also for us as a school. This visit was significant because it helped us enrich ourselves with another experience and new contacts. We appreciated the friendship we managed to develop during this week and thank these teachers for their positive feedback about our school.
On Tuesday, 25th October our school was awarded the Green Flag for the sixth consecutive year. This honour is an appreciation for the work carried out by the Eco School committee of our school. The award-winning ceremony was held at St Ignatius College, Ħandaq, Qormi and was presided by his Excellency President Dr George Vella, President of Malta.
During the past two years, although with the pandemic restrictions, the committee still found a way to keep up with its commitments. The school was observing the formation of clouds and the weather with the help of the GLOBE Programme. Besides this, the committee also worked on a project about air quality. This study was conducted together with two other schools from Gozo and Ireland.
In the coming two years, the Eco School committee will focus its study on the sea and the contamination of the sea water. We encourage our school community to keep up its commitment towards a better and cleaner environment.
We would like to thank our hard-working Eco School committee, who together with Mr Joseph Savona, the committee coordinator, work hard towards creating a better conscience to appreciate creation.
