As part of the series of visits that he is carrying out in all Maltese secondary schools, on November 29 the French Ambassador, Jean-Marc Rives, visited St Theresa Girls' Junior Lyceum, Mriehel.
He was accompanied by Anne-Louise Debeusscher, the French counsellor for co-operation and cultural action and director of the Alliance Francaise (de Malte), and by Elise Sobrie, a French student of political science. Ray Facciol, college co-ordinator and outgoing Education Officer (French),was also present.
The head of school, Robert N. Borg, welcomed the delegation and expressed the school's steady commitment to the teaching and learning of French. The delegation attended a French computer laboratory class session, animated by Mary Josephine Zammit and IT teacher Pierre Bellia. During this session fifth year students wrote and sent e-mails and e-cards to virtual French students.
Ambassador Rives addressed the class, highlighting the importance of the new IT pedagogies for the enhancement of Malta's involvement in the wider European and global French-speaking context. Assistant head girl Anthea Turner, who very competently represented her fellow students, was praised by M. River for her fluency in French. He commented most favourably on her future ambitions in a professional setting and invited her to a reception at his Zebbug residence this month.
Student members of the Green Club showed the delegation around the school's outdoor area, known as the 'West End'. This living project of Maltese flora has been flourishing for the past 10 years. The ambassador offered to donate a plant to the club.
The head of school then hosted the French delegation together with members of the school administration, the school's department of French, consisting of subject co-ordinator Mary Josephine Zammit and six teachers, and the assistant head girl.
During this meeting Ambassador Rives made a book donation to the school library. Therese Vella, teacher of French and school librarian, received the token. M. Rives spoke enthusiastically about the education of present and future generations of students learning French as well as about the French government's aid to Maltese candidates who wish to further their professional and educational competences in France.
In turn, Mme Debeusscher offered to co-ordinate a school-based session to raise students' awareness of the extensive possibilities of furthering their studies in France. She also proposed further discussions with the school administration for co-operation in updating the teaching and learning of French.
The honour of this unprecedented visit of the French Ambassador has been recorded in the school's visitors' book and photographs of the event feature on the school Website: http://schoolnet. gov.mt/st.theresa.jl/