The school community of Primary School B, San Ġwann, which forms part of St Clare College, recently organised its annual open day, entitled 'Together we grow: the smart healthy way'.

Each year, the focus shifts to different areas related to health, with this year's themes being 'Germ attack!', 'The colourful fruit and vegetable way' and 'Let's move and groove'.

The topical subject of the swine flu virus, the frequent need to wash hands and the various ways to stop the spread of germs were dealt with in 'Germ attack!' activities. To emphasise the need to eat a variety of fruit and vegetables, the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs sponsored a fruit for each member of the school community.

The 'Let's move and groove' theme focused on the need for physical exercise. Being healthy implies having a fit body that performs daily physical activities. The body needs food to obtain its energy but also needs movement to keep its muscles, joints and bones in shape. Students, teachers and parents had the opportunity to engage in physical activities in the turf grounds of San Ġwann nursery, thanks to the collaboration of members of the Sports' Promotion Unit within the Kunsill Malti għall-Isport and the school's two PE peripatetic teachers.

A children's art exhibition was displayed in the school foyer and a school-based competition was organised, wherein students of different year groups designed posters on the three themes. Other information stands were also set up. Retail stalls sold items related to the theme of the open day, such as health-related books, antiseptic hand rubs, anti-bacterial hand wash and surface detergents.

Mater Dei Hospital Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit head Tania Mellilo Fenech gave a talk, followed by a question-and-answer session.

After a short refreshment break, parents joined their children in hands-on activities organised by class teachers in class or joined in the physical activity groups on the turf ground.