Lady Strickland, Countess della Catena, founded St Edward's College in January 1929. In so doing, she not only upheld the traditional interest of the Strickland family in the Catholic education of boys, which derived from its close association with the Catholic colleges of Oscott, Stonyhurst, and St Ignatius in St Julian's, but she also re-established a top-rate Catholic college in Malta which had been lacking since 1908, when St Ignatius College closed down.
The origins of St Edward's College lie in Sliema. There, between 1888 and 1908, a school was established in what is today Old College Street by the English province of the Jesuit Fathers. Here for 30 years the Jesuits maintained their high reputation in the field of education and many boys were sent there to receive an 'English' education in an island which was still largely dominated by Italian culture, at any rate among the upper classes.
This language question (as it came to be called), however, was not simply confined to the field of education. It had also a political aspect which dominated the Maltese scene for many years, and the question of which language should be used as a medium of instruction was merely one element of it.
When the Jesuit college closed down in 1908, therefore, those who supported the use of English were anxious to replace it with another school which would also be run on English lines. It was in these circumstances that, failing to find a religious order which was prepared to undertake the task (the expansion of Catholic schools in England was fully absorbing their energies at this time), the decision was made to found a secular school to fulfil this need. It was at this point that Lady Strickland came forward. If a suitable site could be found she offered very generous financial help.
At first the buildings that had been used for the old Jesuit College were considered, but they had long since been converted into private dwellings and in any case lacked any suitable area for playing fields. However, the then Governor of Malta, Sir John Philip Ducane, was enthusiastic for the new project and with his encouragement the British War Office offered a far superior site. The military authorities had evacuated the former military hospital at Cottonera when they had built a new one at Mtarfa. The old one was now offered on a long lease, together with the parade ground of St Clement - an ideal area for playing fields.
A suitable headmaster was also found - Mgr F. Kerr McClement, DD, MA, MRN. All that remained was to settle the details and complete the formalities and in the early months of 1929 this was done. The deed of trust and the lease were both completed and signed, and nine months later, on October 1, 1929, the College opened its doors for the first time.
In establishing the school, Lady Strickland had two ends in mind. It was first and foremost to be a Catholic school founded on and following Catholic principles. Secondly, it was to be organised on the lines of an English public school, with an emphasis on character training and all-round development.
The school which Lady Strickland founded has, of course, experienced downs as well as ups like any other great and long-lived institution. But the overall picture has been one of growth and of success, adaptability and flexibility in overcoming the many problems that the school has had to face.
In 75 years the fundamental ethos of the school has remained the same regardless of whether or not its boys were talented performers in life's lottery. The Edwardian product stands out by virtue of his self-confidence, bearing, manners, loyalty and commitment. St Edward's College has prepared all its students to be responsible members of society, invariably in leadership roles, with a well-honed sense of civic responsibility and devotion to duty.
St Edward's College will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in a number of different ways during the week of October 12-19 centred round St Edward's Day. Every effort is being made to contact former members of staff and Old Edwardians to encourage them to join in the many celebrations which are being planned.
A history of St Edward's is being published and individuals who have the well-being and good-will of St Edward's at heart are being invited to support it by becoming "Friends" of the College. The aim is to raise Lm100,000 for major improvement projects at the College. If anybody would like further details they are encouraged to contact the headmaster on 2182-7077 or by e-mail on hm@stedwards.edu.mt.
Mr Scicluna is chairman of the board of governors of St Edward's College