A dream has finally come true for the students of St Monica School, Birkirkara.
On January 31 Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport Jesmond Mugliett inaugurated the new school gymnasium.
In a short ceremony attended by Sr Miriam Grech, Mother Provincial of the Augustinian Community, Birkirkara mayor Tonio Fenech and Mrs Fenech, deputy mayor Doris Borg, Br Saviour Gatt, Director of Services in Education, and other senior officials from the Education Division, parents and other guests could see the gym in action for the first time.
They were welcomed by the school head girl, Claudia Pace, who expressed the students' thanks and enthusiasm for the new gym. It would give us all, she concluded, more opportunity to participate in sports.
In his address, Mr Mugliett said the government programme to develop regional sports complexes and help clubs upgrade local facilities was being complemented by various Church and private schools which, in recent years, had invested in modern facilities.
Mr Mugliett said that at least eight Church or private schools had invested millions of liri in the building of new sports facilities in the last five years and he encouraged all students to appreciate and use them.
Sr Grace DeBattista, head of St Monica School, spoke about the importance of Physical Education in a holistic educational experience. She showed how the school, with the full co-operation of the parents, had overcome obstacles ranging from limitations of space to financial restrictions to provide for the students a proper gymnasium.
In fact, she went on, the gymnasium block houses facilities for Home Economics, PSD and media education. She thanked all those who offered their continual encouragement and support for this project.
Mario Pace, secretary of the school's Parent Teacher Association, gave a historical overview of the planning and construction of the gymnasium. He spoke about the importance of sports in the education and life of young people and showed how parents' contribution, through their expertise, financial help and encouragement, had borne fruit.
Fr Maurizio Mizzi, O.Carm., parish priest of Fleur-de-Lys, blessed the gymnasium after a short Bible reading. The students then gave a display of basketball, volleyball, badminton, gymnastics and dancing to inaugurate the gym. The enjoyment and sense of satisfaction visible in their smiles were proof enough that all the students, ranging from the Primary to the Fifth Formers, were proud of their new gym and definitely looking forward to their PE lessons in new surroundings.