On June 5, 170 students of Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School, Naxxar, together with their parents, teachers and special guests, gathered to receive their graduation certificates.

Merit certificates are awarded to students who have successfully completed their two-year course of studies at Advanced and Matriculation levels. Credit certificates and book tokens are awarded to students nominated by the Subject Departments for excellence in their various subjects. Special prizes are awarded to students for outstanding performance or contribution towards school life.

A packed school hall welcomed the opening of the graduation ceremony with Celebration Time, a programme featuring song, dance and music with the participation of students and teachers.

Marisabelle Psaila, president of the Students' Representative Council, then addressed the school community present. Three student representatives sit on the school council and are actively involved in the decision making. She highlighted the activities organised by the Council and dwelt briefly on the successful Valentine Fair, held for the first time during Parents' Day week in February.

Mr Horace Caruana, who was appointed headmaster last August, in his speech stressed that all activity at the school is inspired by its mission statement - to give students a second chance to further their studies.

The school offers three courses: the SEC Revision Course, the Advanced and SEC level (A/O) course and the Matriculation Certificate course. Students who obtain five out of the six subjects required for entry to University are given the opportunity to start the MC course together with the one SEC level subject needed.

The school population is a steady 1,200 students, coming from all the secondary schools on the island. Just over half of them had attended junior lyceums, while 27 per cent come from Church and independent schools.

Giovanni Curmi's second year students make up most of the 23 per cent of students coming directly from the post-secondary sector. A fifth of the registered students take the SEC Revision Course, and half take the A/O course and 30 per cent register for the Matriculation Certificate course.

In his speech, Mr Caruana dwelt briefly on the introduction of the new assessment policy which incorporates marks allotted for attendance, coursework and formal testing. The school promotes a holistic approach to education and awards up to 10 points to students for participation in school activities.

This year the school participated in various projects, namely the Young Enterprise, the Leonardo da Vinci EU programme, and a road safety event held on the school premises.

Mr Caruana finally thanked the Minister of Education, who was among those invited, for the interest he shows in the school and the support which is always forthcoming. He also thanked the Director Operations, Dr Cecilia Borg.

Special thanks went to the four assistant heads whose sterling work contributes to the school's image of a caring and effective organisation. The subject co-ordinators and senior teachers, together with the highly qualified teaching staff, were finally thanked and applauded for their co-operation and dedication which quite often goes beyond the call of duty. This is also something the school can boast about.

Dr Joseph Grima, former head of Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School, who is now Assistant Director in the Non-State Schools' Section of the Education Division, presented the certificates to the graduate students.

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