2002 marked the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Victoria Nursery School in San Pawl tat-Targa in January 1992.
The school currently operates four classes: Nursery, Reception, Kinder I and II for children aged between 18 months and five years. It has large, spacious, airy classrooms and a very large, safe outdoor playground for the children to enjoy themselves.
Ms Marie Galea, the school head, said the school's aim was to give the children a fun experience of playing and learning and providing them with an early educational experience. Besides letters, numbers, colours and shapes, children are taught arts, crafts, singing and drama. Other activities such as parties, concerts and outings are regularly organised.
Maximum attention is given to the children's natural inclinations and are given constant support by their dedicated teachers, who while on the school premises act like mothers. In fact the school's homely atmosphere and its stimulating and caring environment helps the children feel completely at ease.
Last May the Victoria Nursery School held its annual concert at the Poseidon Room of the Sol Suncrest Hotel in Qawra. The show was compèred by Patrick Vella.
The youngest children in Ms Susan's class gave a happy rendering of their favourite songs and nursery rhymes, while singing along to Willy Winky, Gee Up Neddy and ABC. Everyone was impressed by the children's good behaviour and active participation in all the nursery rhymes, despite their tender age.
These were followed by the children in Ms Terri's class who jumped and acted to Wheels on the Bus, Hop, Skip and Jump and Ring of Roses. They sang enthusiastically while wearing their masks which they had prepared at school and finally bowing and clapping to themselves with joy.
The second half of the concert started with Ms Ines Farrugia's three-year-olds smartly dressed up in white shorts or skirts and white tops. The children expressed themselves well with the individual speaking parts coming across loud and clear. It was impressive to note such confidence and flair while acting on stage.
The last class to participate was Ms Maris's class of four to five-year-olds, singing and dancing to This Old Man, Touch Your Head and Skip to Maloo.
The concert came to end with a grand finale choir in which all the classes sang a medley of Music Man, Do Just Like Me, Sing My Song, Coco Jumbo and lastly Hey Baby, who amused and delighted the audience.
It was wonderful to notice how well co-ordinated the concert was, teachers helping and supporting each other both back and on stage to ensure the children's aitention and participation throughout the concert. One could not but appreciate the hard work and dedication of the school principal.
At the end of the concert the teachers presented a lovely bouquet to Ms Marie Galea in appreciation for the support they receive from her throughout the scholastic year.
The Victoria Nursery School constantly organises children's events and the biggerst of all was the Christmas carol singing event, held at the school on December 20, watched by parents and relatives who came to see their loved ones all wearing a Santa Claus costume. This event was followed by refreshments.
Looking back to the days when the school first opened its doors ten years ago, Ms Galea said she is convinced that the school's good reputation is the main ingredient for its continuing success.