This year Margaret Mortimer Girls' Junior Lyceum, Sta Lucija, celebrated Prize Day at Teresa Spinelli Hall of St Monica's School, Birkirkara.
The audience of students, parents and distinguished guests, mostly from the Education Division, that filled the hall was welcomed by two Fourth Form students, Juleanne Vassallo and Ingrid Vella.
The first item of the evening was the video Harsa lejn 1-Imghoddi (A Look at our Past), which has now become an important feature of every Prize Day. The video presented a vivid overview of the school's history and of the highlights of the past year. It is the perfect vehicle for bringing the school and its activities to life.
For the next item, the scene changed to the New World in 1607. A beautiful young native American girl called Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan, contemplates her path in life and dreams of what may lie "just around the river bend". What lies in store for her? Should she marry the warrior her father has chosen for her? What does Grandmother Willow, the 400-year-old mystical spirit of the tree, advise?
The answer to the girl's dilemma is the subject of the musical Pocahontas, which was brilliantly acted by the students for the prize-giving ceremony. The play, adapted by Mrs N. Chetcuti and Mrs J. Mangion, centres around the remote community with its traditions and its confrontation with change embodied by the English explorers who have arrived in search of gold. Pocahontas and John Smith fall in love. But do they have a future?
The play, besides offering a dazzling spectacle of colourful costumes, choreography, music and singing, made a special plea for inter-racial understanding and tolerance. The young cast were very well-versed in their parts and the stage decor presented a most realistic setting for the unfolding drama.
The Art teacher, Mr A. Cardinali, together with his team of teachers including Mr J. Micallef, Mr W. Micallef, Mr G. Mifsud, Mr C. Cauchi, Mr T. Said (General Hand) and various students, were responsible for the evocative scenery and props. Mrs M.S. Deguara, together with Miss C. Camilleri, Mrs J. Cuschieri, Mrs M.J. Mercieca, Miss T. Caruana, Mrs R. Morrison and a number of parents were responsible for the beautifully-made costumes and make-up, while the choir was directed by Mrs D. Debono and the music adaptation was in the able hands of Mr M. Scicluna and Mr S. Buttigieg.
In charge of choreography were Ms J. Schembri and Ms M. Camilleri, while Mr G. Apap and Mr C. Apap were in charge of the lights.
The lovely voices of the students who performed the play entranced the audience. The hauntingly beautiful native American singing and the excellent dancing contributed to the atmosphere of the musical. The whole production was the result of co-ordinated teamwork and hours of preparation.
After the well-merited applause that greeted the end of the play, the school head, Miss Joan Micallef, in her address explained how the school offered a holistic education with an emphasis on excellence. Academic results which, at Margaret Mortimer GJL, she said, reach a very high level, are coupled with a host of extracurricular activities.
Respect for every individual student with her particular qualities is an intrinsic part of the school ethos, and, for the way this is implemented, Miss Micallef thanked all the administrative,teaching and non-teaching staff. She emphasized the way parents and school worked hand in hand to help students develop all aspects of their personality.
The prizes were distributed by Mrs Helen D'Amato, MP, a mother of one of the students at Margaret Mortimer GJL who, speaking as a mother and as an educator, expressed her deep appreciation for the work done by the school. While she stressed the importance of academic achievement, she appealed to all parents not to build up inordinate pressure in their children regarding examinations. She heartily congratulated the students because, after all, they were the raison d'être of the evening, she said.
Prizes were distributed by Dr Cecilia Borg, Miss Marjorie Vella, president of the school council and by mayors or their representatives of the towns and villages from which the students at this junior lyceum come.