What a heritage experience!

For the eighth consecutive year, the Humanities Department at San Anton School, L-Imselliet, has organised a History Weekend for the grade 9 students. Entitled 'A Heritage Experience', the event is looked forward to by every student, since they know they are in for an exciting time discovering the past in an innovative way.

What is more, a surprise is included every year, making each History Weekend unique in its own way. This year's activity ran from a Thursday evening to a Saturday afternoon last month.

The programme helped the students appreciate local heritage, which is a component of their History syllabus. At San Anton the curriculum covers European and International History and then focuses on Maltese historical events.

The Heritage Experience helps to link global and local history. The main theme of the programme was 20th century Malta with emphasis on the Second World War.

Students were asked to wear a Maltese costume to attend a traditional meal at Ir-Razzett l-Antik Restaurant in Qormi. The girls experienced wearing old-fashioned long skirts, and Miss Evelyn's ghonnella caused quite a stir.

The menu included mqarrun il-forn (baked macaroni), baked chicken with rosemary, baked potatoes and kwarezimal. This last item stirred many questions from the students, necessitating an explanation of Maltese traditions during Lent.

It was a unique experience for the students in a special environment: that of an old flour mill.

The students visited Valletta, starting with the War Museum. Here they were divided into teams to participate in a historical treasure hunt. Next it was the Malta Experience show, followed by viewing of the Grand Harbour and its fortifications from near the Boom Defence store at the shore.

Keeping in line with the military theme, the visit to Fort Rinella in Kalkara proved a great success with the students. Mario Farrugia of the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, explained the fort in detail and introduced the various re-enactments, which helped these youngsters appreciate 19th century military life.

Mario Ellul was invited to give a talk about Malta and World War II. Here the students took an active part in the discussion. Other activities included a visit to the Limestone Heritage were the students learned about the construction industry on the island.

Godwin Degabriele, a chemistry teacher at San Anton, and an enthusiastic philatelist, prepared a powerpoint presentation about History through philately - a presentation which once again tied up with the History syllabus and linked up the international and local events.

At San Anton School, students had the opportunity to work on a cross-curricular basis. So they prepared an art exhibition about World War II, with the help of their art teacher, Valerie Agius.

These History Weekends are not only about lecturing, but the students are allowed some entertainment, albeit tied in with the chosen theme. Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful was shown on a big screen and afterwards they enjoyed discussing it from every aspect.

At the end of this weekend activity, the students put up a short presentation for their parents. All were encouraged to participate, making sure that they had all benefited from this weekend, not only through learning about history itself but also in life skills, such as over-coming shyness.

Evelyn Pullicino, a history teacher, said: "The students of San Anton gain a lot from these 'away' weekends. It was important to get to know each other, and us their teachers, in a non-school environment. On the other hand, it was of great satisfaction to us when the students appreciate and eagerly learn about our country's heritage."

Probably this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience where History came to life for these students. Comments like "Miss, let's stay here and continue for three more days!" might sound scary to some but are rather encouraging to the organising History teacher.

It is very encouraging for the teachers knowing that they were instrumental in providing these youngsters with an occasion that they will remember for the rest of their lives.