Plans to demolish old convent to make way for new gymnasium

One hundred years after setting up the Immaculate Conception School in Tarxien, the sisters of the Charity of St Jeanne Antide Thouret are planning to demolish the old convent which hosted their first students to make way for a new gymnasium.

Sr Theresa Tonna said yesterday that the school needed around Lm300,000 to realise its dream and the sisters have been fundraising for this cause for the past three years.

The secondary school, which caters for 250 students, has no indoor sports facilities and the new gym will pave the way for students to be able to practise gymnastics and other sports in a specialised environment.

Sr Tonna said that the permits for the gymnasium had already been issued and once enough funds were collected work could start.

"We are hoping that the work will start in the summer of 2004 and be completed in time for the new scholastic year," she said.

The centenary anniversary events yesterday included an open day and a get-together for past students.

Past student Moira Stafrace, now an established and popular singer, said that several past students had joined forces to provide entertainment for yesterday's open day.

The programme was presented by past student Claudine Mifsud and John Bundy, who also used to attend the kindergarten classes of the school.

The programme included gymnastics, a dance marathon, abseiling, a fashion show and performances by Chris and Moira, Ira Losco, Julie Zahra, Rita Pace and many more.

The old convent which will make way for the gym was the first house that the sisters bought on June 6, 1902 to serve as a formation house for those who wished to become sisters of charity.

However, four months later the sisters decided to open their doors to the poor children of the neighbourhood to teach them basic skills in education.

The school started off with two kindergarten classes in Tarxien and today it also has a primary school in Gudja and two kindergarten schools in St Julian's and Birzebbuga. Those who wish to help the nuns in their quest to build the gym can send a donation to the Immaculate Conception School, Tarxien.