First female and lay rector of St Aloysius College resigns after three months

Updated 1.05pm

Maria Montebello, the first woman and lay person to serve as rector of St Aloysius College, has resigned after three months in the job. 

Parents and guardians were informed Montebello had tendered her resignation from the role as college rector on Tuesday. 

No reason was given for the resignation in a two-line statement posted to the school's website. 

"Dr Montebello thanks all parents and guardians for their support. The college thanks Dr Maria Montebello for her services and wishes her well for the future," read the statement, signed by Fr Michael Bugeja and Montebello.

Montebello was the 20th rector of the college and much was made of her appointment as the first lay person in the role after 118 years of Jesuit rectors. She was previously the head of school within St Ignatius College.

Parents received an announcement on Tuesday of Montebello's resignation.

St Aloysius College is one of Malta’s oldest Church schools, run by the Jesuit Order. It began its transition to co-education in 2018.

Montebello, who is also a the parent of a former student, oversaw the introduction of co-education. She joined the college the same year the secondary school admitted its first intake of 50 female students.  

Education to continue 'uninterrupted'

In a separate letter signed by college board chairperson Fr Michael Bugeja, the college assured parents and guardians that its community’s best interests remained a priority and its day-to-day functioning would continue “uninterrupted”.

“Heads of schools, together with the chairperson, will continue to steer the college forward. All academic, pastoral, and administrative operations remain fully in place," the letter read.

"The council of heads, senior leadership team, together with the board, will ensure continuity, stability, and coordinated support throughout this period.”

'Second home'

In an interview with Times of Malta on her first day in the role, Montebello referred to the school as her “second home” and said she was committed to ensuring St Aloysius College remains “first and foremost” a Jesuit college.

Montebello began her educational career as a teacher at a Żurrieq primary school before moving to a secondary school in Kirkop.

She pursued studies in administration and was appointed assistant head at St Benedict College, Għaxaq primary school, and later head of school at St Benedict College, Safi primary school.

Her appointment as head of St Ignatius College, Prof. Edward de Bono Ħandaq Middle School, followed.

Montebello said she wanted to strengthen the Ignatian college and continue fostering student participation through its council and committees, with emphasis on social justice, sustainability and responsibility.

Her resignation, during the traditional probation period for teachers, came as a shock to many. Just last week she penned an article for Times of Malta on how the primary school of St Aloysius College had completed a carbon footprint audit.

She has been approached for comment.