Everyone gets a prize

Sharing secrets is great fun... and that's precisely what St Monica School, Gzira, did at last month's Prize Day.

All the primary school students were rewarded for one achievement or another, academic or otherwise - giving the audience pleasure as they watched the children's happy faces as they stepped up on stage to receive their certificates!

For the secondary school students not only subject prizes were given but also for overall achievement and other desirable traits and characteristics.

Dr Carmel Borg, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta, presided over the Primary School Prize Day while Sonia Camilleri, Commissioner for Children, presided over the secondary school awards.

Both had fine words for the school achievements. Dr Borg stressed the fact that the school is doing its utmost to see that the National Minimum Curriculum is implemented and Mrs Camilleri said she was glad to see that the school attends to the holistic development of students.

Sr Johanna Gatt, the head of school, talked about the significance of being a church school and stressed the importance of moral, social and emotional development for students as well as the academic development one expects in a school.

And where do the sharing and the secrets come in? This year the Prize Day pastoral theme was 'sharing' and the school aims to instil this value in students.

We hope they learn to share not only material things but even more important things like talents, love, time, moments of sorrow and moments of joy.

In keeping with this theme, this year's musical was The Secret Garden, a well known story of a girl who shared her time and love with her cousin to give him the will to live. She, in her turn, found love and acceptance within a family of kind-hearted servants.

The musical was directed by Emily Chircop and helped by Carmen Borg who also made the Victorian era costumes. Carmen Xuereb produced the scenes, Cynthia Formosa directed the choir and in the control room were Eng. Cecil Chircop, Brian Vella and Carmelo Mamo. And of course there was the great effort and performance from the 70 students who all provided excellent teamwork.

As a final word the essence of this occasion is linked to the wishes of our Mother Foundress, Teresa Spinelli - the holistic development of every girl in the school, the full development of her potential, the discovery of the 'secret garden' within.

Ms De Gray is assistant head at St Monica School, Gzira.