Message from the Head of School

By means of this website, we would like to welcome you to our school. The school administration consists of the Head of School and an Assistant Head, as well as the school secretary. The teaching staff is made up of sixteen teachers, a librarian and five Learning Support Assistants. We believe in a holistic approach to education, and thus we provide our students with lessons in Physical Education, Drama, Music and ICT. We also provide special help to students who are in need, and special Religion lessons for all classes, provided by one of the nuns. We also benefit from the services of a Spiritual Director and a school counsellor. The students also have the advantage of being provided with a Holy Mass and confessions on a regular basis (at least one every 4 weeks for each Year group). Our domestic staff keeps the school premises clean at all times of the school day.

Our students and staff enjoy a family-like environment where students feel safe and well cared-for, and where the staff works hand in hand for the well-being and advancement of the students and of the whole school. The students have the opportunity of developing their social skills and overall development every year, through a Sports' Day, Prize Day, Christmas Concert and educational outings. Other special activities that give new opportunities to our students include the launching of our third CD, for which the school choir is training most enthusiastically, and the Holy Communion commemoration. The students are also provided with a language lab in which they practice their Spoken English.

The students are placed in mixed ability classes from Year 1 till Year 6. Formal assessments start as early as Year 3, while informal assessments are an on-going routine as from the very first day of Year 1. In this way we are able to pinpoint the students who most need specialised or extra help, and we can provide it accordingly.

We insist on polite and disciplined behaviour at all times, and the students themselves appreciate this policy as it helps them find their place within the school structure. We give importance to respect for oneself, for others, and also for the environment. We are also totally against any form of bullying, and to this effect, we have invited speakers on various occasions, to help us deal with any eventual problem concerning bullying.

We have a well-planned curriculum, based on the National Minimum Curriculum, and there is a high quality of teaching and learning. Students are encouraged to accept responsibility for their progress, and good behaviour and progress are rewarded regularly. The school's progress is further aided by regular staff meetings, while the PTA, organises various fund-raising activities throughout the school year, to help with the school's material needs.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of staff, the school PTA committee, the Ladies' Circle and all those who contribute to the smooth running of the school. Last, but not least, I would like to thank Mr. Martin DeGabriele and Mrs. Veronique DeGabriele Ferrante for their constant work, through which this website has seen its birth and development.

Sr. Giovannita Briffa, Head of School

School Ethos

In our school there is a very welcoming environment, along with a strong sense of identity and community within the school. Staff, pupils, parents share this sense of belonging and this enhances relationships. Staff make a very effective team who work with parents when appropriate. Parents are encouraged to be involved in the life and work of the school and are always made welcome.

Staff use praise a great deal and have high expectations of pupils. Positive behaviour is encouraged through the discipline policy. Pupil behaviour is mostly good with incidents of poor behaviour dealt with, in a consistent, fair manner.

In considering development needs in this key aspect, we should continue to develop partnership with parents.