Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said San Anton School's ideas were being taken on board in the government's radical reform of the transition from primary to secondary education.

He was speaking during a recent visit to the school at L-Imselliet, accompanied by Kate Gonzi and Education Minister Dolores Cristina.

Dr Gonzi praised the school's innovative practices to encourage students' holistic formation, including the introduction of the concept of mixed ability classrooms at a very early stage. He said the school was a success story which should be emulated in other areas.

Dr Gonzi was given a tour of various classes in the school's junior and senior sectors, its sports complex, the school radio station Lyr-x, the home economics area and the art room, before proceeding to the science labs to see experiments being performed by students.

Dr Gonzi was also briefed on the work performed at the school's Backyard Habitat, an environmental and nature conservation area within the school grounds. Dr Gonzi and Ms Cristina then proceeded to plant a Sandarac tree (Siġra tal-Għarghar) to commemorate their visit.

Mrs Gonzi was presented with a bag of compost produced at the habitat while Dr Gonzi was presented with a painting by former San Anton student Cecilia Zammit Endrich.

The visit concluded with a private meeting with school head Vicki Anastasi and chairman David Pace.