Walk from Imtahleb to Bahrija

This outing was not just organised because it was specifically asked for in the syllabus, but also for students to experience a lesson out in the countryside to view with their own eyes what is actually discussed in class. Students were able to use their senses, mostly sight, smell and touch, to learn more about the natural environmental of the Maltese Islands.  Myself, with Ms. Elaine, planned this walk with Nature Trust and along this walk students have seen many indigenous and endemic species. The main attraction was the Maltese Fresh Water Crab, which is a crustacean that can only be found in Malta and in very few places. This walk proved to be very fruitful, and the students thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Mr. Jeffrey Sciberras from Nature Trust Malta giving a helping hand

Students were asked to smell the Fringe Rue...
and the following picture shows the result!!

Its nasty smell is on purpose...to repel any animals from eating it

 And here are some of the wonderful species we managed to see

Chameleon

Maltese Swallow tail

Maltese Spider Orchid

Maltese Freshwater Crab

 Roman Quarry and Cart Ruts

Some of the lovely views that can be enjoyed in Mtahleb

Visit by the President

On the 23rd April, His Excellency Dr. George Abela, visited our school. He was shown around the school by our school captain, Katrina Portelli, and by our School Council Representative, Raoul Briffa. Part of the tour was an exhibition about our trip to the Tuscan region in Italy. A job well done by our students!!

Geography Fieldwork - Malta

Geography Fieldwork

Għajn Żejtuna – Mellieħa - Malta

Learning through Experience

As part of the Geography syllabus, students were exposed to conduct fieldwork on geographical subjects. Fieldwork on geographical theories provides firsthand experience on the subject together with the enjoyment of the outdoor life.

This year’s grade 11s conducted their fieldwork at Għajn Żejtuna in Santa Maria estate, Mellieħa. Few are aware of the existence of Wied Għajn Żejtuna and unfortunately, also, of its degradation throughout the years.  During the rainy season, when there is a substantial flow of water through the valley bed, vegetation is more abundant and a good number of flora and species of animals live and survive in this valley. Originally, the land belonged to the Curia of Malta. It was leased to tenants mainly farmers. Field rubble walls had to be constructed to help conserve the soil. Terraced fields on both sides of the valley helped the natural habitat to thrive on. Regretfully, in the mid-sixties, a permit was issued for the building of luxury bungalows and roadways. This had a devastating environmental effect on more than 70% of the area – a large scar in ecological terms.

The students conducted their fieldwork on the small pebbly beach at the lower end of the valley. Here, they investigated a number of hypotheses. The students examined and carefully recorded the varying size of the pebbles found on the water’s edge and those found further up the beach. After collecting data, by sampling pebbles from different areas of the beach, students will prove or disprove the hypothesis, listing a number of reasons for their result. The students also surveyed the flora around the coast to establish whether there are plants that could resist salty water (halophytic plants) or if there was the presence of any plants that could resist drought (xerophytes) for more than three months.

It is clear that fieldwork activities are an effective way of learning because students enjoy applying and experiencing the knowledge imparted by the teacher during the lessons in the controlled environment of the classroom, outdoors.

What an amazing voice - PISA BASILICA!!!!!!

Maltese learning Polish - trying... :-p

Here are some of the Maltese students talking in Polish. As teachers, myself and Ms Joanne were quite impressed on how all the students involved could learn a few sentences so quickly and help others learn some from our own language. 

 Nicholas Cassar Torreggiani

Laura Azzopardi

Thomas Cassar Ruggier

Jacques Azzopardi

Pisa Trip through the lenses of the Maltese students

Hello Everyone!

Here are some of the pictures taken by our students portraying their trip to Pisa. Looking at these pictures makes me want to go back!!

Ms. Joanne

Here are some of the comments made by our lucky :-) visitors to Pisa:

- We have met some lovely people!
- We've learnt a lot in Florence! We saw lots of colorful houses...
- The day we worked on our identities, in different languages, will stay in our mind forever :-) That was a wonderful experience!
- San Giminiano was so beautiful!
- When the coach broke down :-( , we had plenty of time to speak English with our Maltese partners. Camille said : "I thought my English was terrible but I then realized that I could communicate in English, and above all understand foreigners."
- In the school in Pisa, we saw the exhibition with the photos sent by all of us.
...

Thank you for that lovely stay !

We like speaking Italian very much!

Italy through my eyes

Last week, I and a bunch of friends, along with some teachers went to Italy. When we arrived, our hosts greeted us very warmly. They were all really nice, and we had a really great time together. I hope, that they will visit us in Bulgaria someday.
We also went to a lot of interesting places in Italy. We visited the “Leaning Tower”, which was really majestic, and San Gimignano, which was, I have to admit, one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in my life. We also visited a farm, and they taught us how to make bread.

Well, I have to say, that it was a really awesome trip, and I would definitely do it again, if I have the opportunity. 

Levent ,18 , Bulgaria

Last month I, my friends and my teachers went to Pisa, Italy. The travelling was very interesting. It was my first time to see the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa! And also it was my first time to fly with a plane and my first time to travel to country that doesn’t border with Bulgaria. In Pisa as I said we saw The Leaning Tower and other interesting ancient buildings. The family I stayed at was very nice. And also we went to something like a bakery and a wine house together which was in the countryside. There we learnt how to make a special bread which is made only in this region. Then we went to San Gemignano. This town has interesting history which we heard from the amazing tour guide we had. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go to Florence because our flight from Paris was canceled. But what we could see was also very cool! Thank you Elisabetta and all Italian friends for making all this true !

Jivko, 15, Bulgaria

 

 

Our trip started on 12 March last month and it was the most exciting and adventurous travelling I have ever been! First I have to share with you that our group was very cool - 4 teachers and 7students. Our main goal was to visit Italy and meet with the Italian students and their culture. It was so funny! I’ll tell you a little more…

 So we went to Sofia - the capital of Bulgaria first and we arrived in Paris, France soon. But who may predict... it was snowing there! Yes, it was white and windy- beautiful view but it caused some little problems. Our flight to Pisa was canceled.

We sang, we were talking jokes each other and we became a real team. On the next morning we were a bit tired but we were happy that we were going to Pisa. When we finally arrived in the beautiful Italian city we were surprised that our luggage wasn’t there.

But that’s not important! We kept calm and we were so pleased when our hosts came. Everybody met for the first time the person that he/she expected.

My hosts were a big family and they were so kind with me. When I walked into the house there was a poster over the door which was named- Welcome Yoana! J We had dinner – a very delicious pizza which they had prepared for me. We talked about so many things, the Italian language, the Bulgarian language, our hobbies, talents and our favourite things. I and my host family found very common interests.

On the first day in Pisa we visited the school and we participated in an interesting game - everybody had to present his language in 3 sentences and the others repeat it. We enjoyed this game very much.

Then we looked the exhibition of the five countries in the school hall.

The thing that I’ll never forget is the Leaning tower of Pisa. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. And we were enchanted of it.

In the afternoon we visited Marina di Pisa and took some photos.

Next day was planned like a trip to San Gimignano town - a very ancient place with beautiful nature views and a long history. And that was our last night together, we had just met ourselves and we already had to say goodbye. I was sad that I couldn’t give to my host family my presents for them, but we promised that we will meet again. I hope someday they will come to my town in Bulgaria.

Bridges have been built between us. Our smiles showed that we met new friends and we found out many things about Italy and the other countries involved in the project.

Now we are waiting for the next work meeting which is going to be in Nikopol. We hope you will be pleased and happy as we were. J

                             Yoana Karadzhova

26.03.2013                                                                                       16years, Nikopol

Last Friday, we visited the museum called "Le Daviaud".

It's in the middle of the marshes where our grandparents or great-grandparents used to live. 

It was such a hostile area with no trees or bushes to protect them from the sea winds !

They built small thatched cottages where grandparents, parents and children would live together.

The richest people would live in small stone houses and employ daily workers, those who lived in the thatched houses nearby.

They would breed cows, pigs and chickens, mainly for their milk, meat and eggs.

In the winter, the marshes were called "white marshes" because they were flooded. As a consequence, people would then put their beds and other furniture up on branches because the water got in... Also, children used to go to school on small flat-boats called "yoles".

There was water all around but no running water from a tap ! Washing wasn't easy...

Could young people lead a "teenager life" at that time ? No way ! They had to work hard on the farm, with their parents, since the age of 12 ! They definitely couldn't meet their mates at any time... What a tough life !