May 7 was a special day for the mothers of students attending Guardian Angel School in Hamrun. Seated in the school hall, they waited expectantly for the day's activities which were introduced by the school's assistant head, Mr Vella. Present for the occasion were two senior Education Division officials - Ms Mifsud, director, student services and international and Michael King, assistant director, special needs.
The programme began with Mass said by Fr Abela. The children provided an original touch by miming a short Gospel episode - when the mother of the apostles James and John asked the Lord to reserve a front seat for her two sons in Heaven! The lesson? Mothers are ready to do everything for their children.
The recently set up school choir dedicated a song to all the mothers present, and during the offertory a student from each class made an offering. One student's rendering of the Ave Maria earned some well-merited applause. After Mass, Mr Pace, head of school, thanked all those who had helped organise the various activities. He thanked the Education Division for the continual support offered to the school.
Prizes were then distributed to the students for reaching specific targets according to their abilities and aptitudes. Ms Mifsud stressed the similarities between mothers and teachers in their care and love for children. Both mothers and teachers teach, and when you teach "special" children, you have to be special too, she said.
Ms Mifsud thanked parents and school staff and expressed her appreciation for the co-operation that exists between them. Every student, she said, is valued and this shows, because the students look so happy and full of love. Their talents and loving mischief say a lot for the care they are given in the school with its lovely environment and cheerful atmosphere.
Like Fr Abela before her, she encouraged parents to help their children participate fully in the community. She ended by wishing all mothers present a very happy Mother's Day.
Refreshments followed as all students sought out their mothers to give them a surprise gift for the occasion.
It was truly a Mother's Day to remember.