HSBC Cares for Children supports schools

HSBC Cares For Children Fund (HCCF) sponsored a number of school initiatives recently.

Dun Frans Camilleri Primary School in Hamrun received Lm300 worth of books for its library.

The books were presented to the school head Joseph Camilleri by HSBC's Central Area director Alex Mizzi and Chris Cini, Hamrun HSBC branch manager.

San Benedittu Primary School, Kirkop, received support for the extension of its library, which is currently stocking new sets of educational material, including teaching and professional development resources, journals, reference material, Melitensia, Melitensia fiction, non fiction, junior and intermediate English fiction, and fiction in foreign languages.

At Bice Mizzi Primary School, Pembroke, two school days of sport events organised by fourth year B.Ed students from the University of Malta were supported, and a number of 'Puttinu and Toninu' children's books and audio cassettes were also donated for class use.

Headmaster Dr Marcel Degabriele received the donation from Marica Debono, HSBC branch manager, St Andrews.

A class from the Cospicua Primary School was sponsored to attend weekly sessions at the Helen O'Grady Academy that were designed to boost self-development in children, improve their life-skills and English language skills and tap their artistic talent.

Catherine Gonzi, HCCF's chairperson attended a sample lesson of the academy programme during which the children presented a short play in English about pirates with a hidden message about bullying.

Alan Montanaro, Academy principal for Malta, said that the sponsored class children had showed a marked improvement in self-confidence, and in their understanding and use of English, adding that "HCCF's support towards this cause is a show of trust in the academy's potential to uncover children's talents."