School leaving ceremony for Margaret Mortimer girls

The Weekend Break for Fifth Form students at Margaret Mortimer Girls' JL has by now become an established school tradition. So, for these students, although March signals the approach of examinations, it also means that the long-awaited weekend is near.

This year the weekend, which started on March 19, ended with the school-leaving and prize-giving ceremonies on Sunday.

The wonderful experience included activities like Badger Karting at Ta' Qali, a walking hike from Xemxija to Selmun and a treasure hunt in Senglea. And, since youngsters love music and dancing, a disco was also organised on Saturday evening.

Jam-packed with activities, the weekend provided the students with ample opportunity to socialise for the last time as a group and to have fun before the examination grind begins.

In view of the organisation of the weekend and the large number of students involved, several teachers generously gave up their precious time to join the girls on this memorable last experience together. Kris Scicluna, the teacher in charge, was helped by Stephen Cilia and supported by a large group of teachers.

Sunday morning dawned windy and grey but the atmosphere inside the hotel was alive with enthusiasm as, after Mass, students prepared for a final lunch and then their school-leaving ceremony. The school administration with the head of school, Miss Joan Micallef, joined the students for lunch.

The girls' school-leaving ceremony was organised by Mrs Pauline Caruana and presided over by Dr Cecilia Borg, director general of education. Students, teachers and parents filled the hall to capacity.

Compered by Maria Farrugia and Cherise Attard (5A), representatives of the school's students council, the ceremony began with a speech by Ms Micallef, who gave an overview of the students' development during the five years of their secondary schooling and showed how, with the support of their parents, teachers, the school administration and officials from the Education Division, they were now ready to face a promising future.

"This short interval before your challenging exams was made possible through the altruism of many of your teachers. For this I thank them in your name," Ms Micallef said, auguring the girls all the success in the world.

It was now the turn of the two council representatives to remind their friends of various episodes and events during their five years at Margaret Mortimer GJL. Laughter and applause punctuated the speech as their school mates' reminiscences made the past come alive once more.

Dr Borg spoke about the educational value of the weekend experience and referred to the sense of commitment and dedication shown by the teachers who organised it. The school had always had as its main aim the holistic development of its students and this had succeeded.

The DVD presentation compiled by Ms Josianne Borg, Mr Pierre Tabone and Mr George Cremona which followed Dr Borg's speech brought to life the five years of the girls' schooling. Everyone present could appreciate the wide spectrum of activities, both academic and extra-curricular, that the school offers its students.

The memorable occasion came to an end with the distribution of prizes by Dr Borg. The students were also given their school-leaving certificate and a photo folder as a memento of their life at school.

The weekend experience was an end and a beginning - an end to school life and a new start with new friends and a new life.