During the past weeks our Year 7 students went for a visit to the Inquisitor’s Palace in Vittoriosa.  This visit was related to a cultural theme found in the Maltese syllabus.  During this educational visit our students learnt about the story of inquisition in Malta and about Malta’s traditional costumes.  First they had a brief introduction about the Palace and discussed some Maltese traditions which are an essential part of our identity.  Soon after they had an explanation about the clothes our ancestors used to wear.  Our students learnt the names of different types of material and could see closely these clothes as they had the opportunity to dress up a mannequin with these traditional clothes.  They also had the opportunity to wear some traditional clothes themselves and played an act about the inquisition times.  Our students could also enter a prison cell where prisoners used to be tortured.  Finally they were also given a handbook in order to read more about this educational activity.

We would like to thank our History and Maltese teachers who organised this visit for these students.  Thanks also to Heritage Malta and to the Maltese Department in connection with the Directorate of Teaching and Assessment Programmes for this opportunity.

Between Wednesday, 10th and Friday, 12th January we had the second live-in for our Year 7 students at the Conference Centre of Dar Ħanin Samaritan.  The theme during this Live-in was ‘Hope My Life is Great’.  The live-in was packed with different activities.  They had long hikes at Buskett, B’Bugia and Żurrieq and they watched and discussed the film ‘Luca’.

This live-in came to an end on Friday with a meeting for the parents were experiences lived during this live-in were shared.  The parents later gathered in the garden of the same Conference Centre.  We would like to thank the students who actively participated in this live-in.  Thank you also to the members of staff for planning and organising these memorable experiences for our students.

We wish you all a year of grace and blessings from our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Peace be with you all.

Tuesday 19^th December – A number of 280 students accompanied by members of staff worked on activities to give services and make a difference in other people’s lives.  Our school band and some other students visited Rainbow Ward and sang songs for the sick children.  Another group went to Dar tal-Kleru to visit old priests and another group went to Apap Institute and organised a tombola for the old people residing at the home.

Another group gathered in the Home Economics Lab to bake muffins for a cake sale.  The money collected from this sale was donated to Dar Bjorn.  A group of students went to the Malta International Airport to distribute Christmas cards to the tourists arriving to Malta or departing back to their country, another group went to Ċentru Loop to prepare presents and decorate and help in Marta’s kitchen, another group went to Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan to pick up oranges from the garden and sell these oranges.  The money collected was donated to Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan.  Another group of students remained at school and organised a car wash to collect money to buy the gifts for the tombola while another four groups organised a clean up at school, at the Tomasina cat sanctuary, and at Xgħajra and Qajjenza beaches.

We congratulate these students who commit themselves to organise these acts of generosity.  This is how we should celebrate Christmas.  We wish them the wisdom to keep up these experiences as they grow up.  We thank our Pastoral Care team who co-ordinated these voluntary activities and the members of staff who accompanied them.

Thursday, 21^st December was a day dedicated to our school staff.  First we gathered at the Mellieha MUSEUM for mass celebrated by Fr Carl Sultana.  After our pastoral care team organised a special COPE session were our staff shared together their love for the school, towards the students and towards each other.  It was a special moment where various members of staff shared their personal experiences.  The Headmaster thanked everyone for their love and dedication towards the school and our students and encouraged all to keep up their commitment.  We then left for lunch together.  We thank God for these special moments we share as a community at St Michael School.