Radiant smiling, yet tired faces appeared coming out from the arrival lounge at around 2:30 p.m. last Saturday. Our Second Formers together with their teachers were returning from a memorable etwinning experience in Vezzano, Italy. With a stunning packed programme, full of engaging activities and a welcoming hosting school that surpassed all our expectations, our students had a wonderful week full of excursions, sports, lessons and sharing of friendship. I we were to summarize the experience in a few words we would say that the experience was simply superb!
A Diary of Activities
Monday 20th April 2009
Departure from Malta International Airport at 3:00 p.m. Arrival at Fiumicino Airport Rome at about 4:00 p.m. Connection flight to Verona from Rome at 5:00 p.m. Arrival at Verona Airport at around 6pm. We were welcomed by Professori (teachers) Valeria, Anna and Chemolli. Together we travelled to Vezzano by coach. Took us about 90 minutes. Settled at Hotel Vezzano which is a very fine hotel. Had dinner at 8pm. Vezzano is a very small village with a population of not more than 600 inhabitants.
Tuesday 21st April 2009
Breakfast at 7:00 a.m. Walked up the main road to the school accompanied by the Marshall of the Carabinieri. Welcoming meeting at school. Ms Valeria showed us around the school which has a population of about 153 students, boys and girls of 12/13 years olds, coming from various towns and villages around Vezzano. Italian students introduced themselves in English in a humouristic style. Maltese students, still very timid, also introduce themselves. We were divided into 4 groups. One group, with Mr Camilleri, joined a Maths class. Another group with Mr Agius, join a German class, a third with Mr Farrugia, join the Religion class, while the fourth group joined the English language class. Mr Farrugia talked to the Italian students about the Maltese language. After the break the students were divided into four teams and played football with the Italians new friends. The language of football helped as a suitable ice-breaker for both Italians and Maltese to communicate better.
In the afternoon we met the Mayor of Vezzano and the Headmaster (Preside) of the school where we exchanged gifts. We were given books, and a T shirt designed specifically for this special occasion. We offered books and a bottle of home-made wine to the Mayor and to the Headmaster donated by the family of one of one of our students, Sergio Fenech.
Later we went on a tour, visiting the city of Trento. We were accompanied by a professional tour guide who gave us some very interesting insights about the history of Trento. We also visited the cathedral were The Council of Trent took place in the 16th century. Than we had an hour of free time. In the evening we ate dinner at a typical restaurant, where food is served in a traditional way.
Wednesday 22nd April 2009
Breakfast at 6:45 a.m. A day in Venezia, the sinking city. Today it was unbearably hot, with the temperature soaring up to 25 degrees Celsius. Our tour guide today was the Headmaster himself who is a history enthusiast. Amongst other places we visited the fabulous San Marco Cathedral and the Ponte dei Sospiri.
Thursday 23rd April 2009
Breakfast at 7:15 a.m. It was now our turn to presented our Presentations to the Italian students. We talked about Maltese bread, food and wine, local feasts, our school activities, l-Imnarja and two Maltese songs, "Il-Bajja tal-Mellieħa" and "L-Aħħar Bidwi f'Wied il-Għasel" sung by Claudio Baglioni. Mr Farrugia talked about the evolution of the Maltese language and showed, with various examples and games, how the Maltese language is a semitic language with great influences from the Sicilian, Italian and English languages. We also gave those present a small piece of Qagħqa tal-Għasel (honey ring). We also presented a surprise, short, humouristic presentation about Mr Agius who on this day celebrated his birthday. Before the presentations we were again divided into four groups and joined classes of Mathematics, English, Geography, Music and IT. The Italian teachers were all very well prepared and adapted their lessons to make it easier for our students to fully engage themselves in the lesson.
In the afternoon we visited the Lago di Garda, the largest lake in Italy, which is 60 km long making it even bigger than Malta and Gozo put together. We had a very nice boat trip around a part of the lake. We stopped at a small village by the lake, called Malcesine. There we climbed a small part of a mountain with a cable car where we had breath-taking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. At the Riva del Garda, where we had some free time, we had the first and only rain showers of the whole week.
In the evening we met at Sarche were we had a farewell party prepared for us by the parents of the Italian students. We met the Mayor of the locality, who was sponsoring the activity, and the Headmaster presented us with even more gifts. We also presented a book to the Mayor and other small gifts to the Headmaster and the three teachers who were accompanying us in all our excursions.
Friday 24th April
Last day at Vezzano. Today we went for a long trip over the Montagne Dolomiti. We were all spell bound with the marvelous views of the mountains all covered in ice. It was a new experience for all of us and we made the best of this special occasion by engaging ourselves in a very good snow fight were Mr Farrugia and Mr Camilleri faired quite badly against 15 students all hungry for revenge after all the homeworks they were subjected to by these "cruel" teachers. It was a moment to remeber for all of us. Then we visited the village of Ortisei, famous for its wood carving artsists. Our voyage ended in Bolzano were we had two whole hours of free time.
Then it was time to say goodbye. It was not easy for anyone of us to say goodbye to such generous and nice friends. But it had to be and we are now looking very much forward to reciprocate their generosity when they visit Malta in two weeks time.
Satrurday 25th April 2009
We woke up at 4:00 a.m. We started our trip to Verona airport that took us a little more than 1 hour. On arriving at the airport we went and did our check-in, waiting for our departure first to Rome and than to Malta. We arrived in Fiumicino Airport and had to wait for more than 4 hours due to an hour delay by Alitalia. We finally reached Malta, tired but happy at 2:30 p.m. were we found a number of our family members and School Administration waiting for us.
More images: http://www.stmichaelschool.edu.mt/galleries/gallery8.php
We are deeply honoured to have the opportunity to lead St Michael School’s community as it enters its 63rd year of service. Through the years we have developed a strong appreciation for the holistic approach to education and we try our best to provide an outstanding opportunity for youths to grow and develop as mature Christian citizens.
Entrance into Form 1 as from Sept 2011
The Board of Directors of our school wish to state that contrary to what was reported in the media, there is no connection or agreements whatsoever between our School and any of the Franciscan Primary or Secondary Schools.
We would like to point out that as from the September 2011 the intake in our Schools will be done by ballot.
To respect the principle of continuity, the basic principle of the reform of the education in Malta, all boys in Church Primary Schools will have their place guaranteed in one of the Church Secondary School. To top-up the number of students needed, a national call of application will be issued for all other boys who wish to apply from both the Government and the Private sector, to match the number of places needed in our Boys’ Secondary Schools. The method used will also be through a ballot.
Thus the names from this ballot will be added with those already in Church Primary Schools. A second and final ballot will determine the rank order.
Younger brothers of students already studying in Church Secondary School will automatically be given a place in the same school.
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Sep
Scholasic Year 2010 / 2011 starsts today.
