The Weekly Gazette - 29 - 25/05/2012 Dear Parents and Community members This week we had a number of meetings with the students to discuss important issues regarding the Annual examinations. The focus was mainly on time management, study skills and revision strategies. The main challenge for most of our students is to strike a balance between the school commitments and the other activities. The benefits of a healthy lifestyle were also discussed since we strongly believe that this is crucial for students to experience success in their studies. On a different note, we have set the dates for our training programme regarding the introduction of interactive whiteboards in our classrooms. A number of sessions will be conducted during the summer period to assist the teaching staff in this new development. Our main objective is to enhance the teaching and learning process since we truly believe that there is a very effective link between technology and pedagogy. Interactive whiteboards are an important tool for the teachers to empower their students in becoming more knowledgeable and independent learners. It is my pleasure to announce that the total sum of money collected from this year’s Sponsored Walk amounts to €10,720.  Well done to all the students, and parents, for the effort. Trip to Sicily By kind courtesy of Professor John Portelli, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and on the initiative of Mrs Melanie Wismayer (mother of Michael in Year 4), the Year 4 students were invited on a day trip to Sicily aboard the Virtu Ferry. The boys were accompanied by Mrs Tabone, Mrs Attard and Ms Ripard as well as by some of the boys' parents. After arriving in Pozzallo and playing on the swings we boarded the coach for Syracuse where we visited places of interest: Madonna Delle Lachryme, Teatro Greco and Teatro Romano. A lovely Sicilian meal was had at Il Cenacolo Restaurant after which we visited other parts of Ortygia (the old part of Syracuse). In one establishment, the boys were shown how Papyrus paper is made with Hermes Barone, Year 4y translating from Italian to English as the Sicilian lady spoke. This was followed by a visit to the Duomo and ice creams for all. The day ended back in Pozzallo where the boys enjoyed an hour of football on the beach after which they boarded the ferry back home, tired but happy after a very successful day. Anne Tabone - Head of Junior School    Junior Sport and Drawing Competition The boys in Year 3x and Year 3y were asked to express their opinion about Sports and P.E. through their artistic drawings.  In this way, two creative subjects were combined. All 33 entries were excellent. The adjudicating panel was made up of the two Year 3 class teachers, Mrs Mifsud and Ms Said and the Art teacher, Ms Lida Sherafatmand. The winner in Year 3x was Denzel Xuereb with 95 points, second was Kyle Camilleri with 90 points and in third place we had a tie between Sierk Krythe and Max Coleiro.  They were each awarded 80 points. The winner in Year 3y was Marcus Borg with 93 points. Joint second place were Nigel Scerri and Ben Pullicino with 87 points while Daniil Schembri came third with 86 points. Anne Tabone Photos by Ms Caruana: Marcus Borg in 3y with his class teacher Ms Said(left), Mrs Tabone, and Mr Abela, Sports teacher Denzel Xuereb with his class teacher, Mrs Mifsud (left), Mrs Tabone, Ms Lida ,art teacher and Mr Abela, Sports teacher    KG Activities Sports Festival Last week the KG2 boys and girls took part in the sports festival on the lawn between the kindergarten and the junior school. The activity started with a parade around the perimeter of the lawn, with the children holding a Maltese flag as well as small Olympic flags. Each class then took up their respective positions at one of three stations. Station 1 was dedicated to team games, involving balancing, hopping and running. Station 2 consisted of fun and games with the parachute and Station 3 was an obstacle course, which showed off the children’s skills at jumping, crawling through a tunnel and running in a controlled manner through cones. The morning’s fun concluded with the Headmaster presenting each child with a medal. Book Donation Last week the kindergarten received the final consignment of books for the Story Room. A large number of books, including ‘big books’ and books with CDs, were purchased thanks to the generosity of a KG1 parent. We are very grateful for the donation and are sure all the children will benefit from these new resources. Mother’s Day Activity Last Wednesday all the mummies of the kindergarten children were invited to their child’s respective classroom to listen to a few carefully chosen songs through which the children thanked their mothers for all they do for them every day. After the short performance, each child gave his or her mummy a special gift and card, as well as a big hug and kiss! A very happy activity was concluded with the mothers joining all the kindergarten children on the lawn for a picnic. An Outing to the Majjistral Nature Park Monday 14th May was a fine but windy day. All the year 5 boys caught the bus from school and went to the Majjistral Nature Park. Our guide was called Ms Annalise. We walked round the corner of a large hotel at Golden Bay and then started walking to the nature park. The guide showed us different types of animals and plants. We were all stunned by the beauty of the park. After about an hour of walking, we stopped for a break. Afterwards we played a game where we had to stay silent for some time. Every now and again we stopped talking, so that we could listen to nature and the birds. Everyone LOVED the outing and after the walk, we thanked the guide and caught the bus back to school. From this outing I have learnt that we should all take care of the plants and animals around us, because nature is wonderful! Stephen Paul Boffa 5Y    Malta Students Sports Federation On Wednesday 23rd May, a selection of our boys represented the College in the Annual Interschool Athletic Meeting. The event took place at St Aloysius College, with 9 private and independent schools taking part. Our Team placed third in the U15 Category. The following are the medal winners from our boys: GOLD Jacob Walker              High Jump U15 Luke Gialanze             1500m U15 SILVER Gabriel Caruana          Long Jump U14 BRONZE Andrew Marshall          800m U15 Justin Busuttil             100m U15 Jai Garavillo                Shot Put U15 Timmy Aquilina            800m U14 Alex Thake                  400m U12 Steven Camilleri          300m U12 Philippe Ioffe                Shot Put U12 Sam Zammit Cutajar    1200m U12 WELL DONE to all participants.   ===> Application Form    Calendar   This Week at St Edward’s (Week beginning 28 May – June 01 2012)     Monday 28           Tuesday 29   10.00am   3.30 pm   Mass for Year 6,7 & 8   Meeting for IB Parents Year 12.   Wednesday 30    6.00 pm  Benchmarking Exam - Year 6 AGM – Septa in Hall   Thursday 31  8.40 am  Mass for all Junior School. Benchmarking Exam - Year 6   Friday 01   5.00 pm  Gozo Outing - Year 6 Euro Football Competition – Year 3 & Year 9   Saturday 02       Sunday 03     George Psaila Headmaster