Peace walk to save environment

The Junior School of the Convent of the Sacred Heart is taking part in the Comenius project entitled Johnny Cosmo (colori, odori, sapori, musica, oltre) along with schools in Italy, Greece, Romania and Ireland.

In the first term of the scholastic year Ecology was proposed as the main theme of the project. Each participating country agreed to organise a Peace Walk on October 17 in an effort to help children and the school community to become more aware and sensitive to our environment.

The activity at the Convent of the Sacred Heart Junior School started at with Year 1 pupils walking around the school's garden. Unfortunately the plan for the Year 2 to Year 6 pupils to walk down to Independence Gardens had to be cancelled because of the rain. Instead, they walked around the school garden and on to Zammit Clapp Hospital.

A ceremony was then held in the school hall where the pupils sang songs as well as read poems and essays related to Ecology. They were addressed by the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, Sliema Mayor Albert Bonello Dupuis, and St Julian's Mayor Peter Bonello.

Other guests included Dr Joseph F. Grima, assistant director, non-state schools, and Mr Carmel Busuttil, education officer. The ceremony came to an end with the singing of the National Anthem.

The event was successful in more than one way. The pupils enjoyed the walk in spite of the rain and change of plans. Parents, who had been invited to attend the Peace Walk, encouraged the children and supported the school staff throughout the whole activity.

The school hall was injected by a very joyful atmosphere made up of the children's enthusiasm as well as by their own colourful work in the form of posters, banners and drawings. It was definitely a worthwhile and unforgettable experience.