Sicilian Adventures

Destination: Sicily

After two whole years of restrictions on travelling with the school due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have finally been unshackled from our restraints and given the green light for our IB section to leave this floating rock to … another floating rock, Sicily. So, it was lights out and away we go, off to experience a new adventure in Sicily.

Kieran Cassar Mullaly writes:

Having been woken from our slumbers at an ungodly hour, we arrived at the terminal in Marsa at approximately 4 AM. As the flock started to gather, it came to the point when we had to board the St John Paul II catamaran. However, here is where we met our first hurdle in this long marathon and came to grips with the ancient art of border security. Some of the students forgot their identification, creating a little panic and a slight delay on our end. Thankfully, this was all resolved, and all the students made it on board. The crossing over to Sicily was a bumpy one, to say the least, with quite a lot of the students feeling sick or queasy as the catamaran battled the demon of the high seas. Not to the extent that the Gozo Channel

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Julian Coppini writes:

staff perhaps habitually endure, but it was a battle none the less for us land-lubbers. However, this was to be another victory for our battalion. We arrived at our destination at 7:20 AM, in one piece. Take that, beastly waves! Our next destination would be the 4x4 adventure of Mount Etna, the most active volcano in Europe. Before that however, we would encounter a (not-so-friendly) visitor. The Sicilian Cyclist, who was probably the second coming Vito Corleone. This character had a little run-in with one of the students. Tempers flared and it was starting to look like a Rambo showdown when the diminutive (by comparison) Ms Zarkhova resolved the altercation and the cyclist was efficiently packed off to help defeat the rest of the crime bosses.

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After a good night’s sleep and a filling breakfast at the Feudo Bauly, Palazzolo Acreide hotel, it was time to make our way to the Parcallario Adventure Park - a zipline and tree climbing experience that every student should partake in, at least once. The large trees and daunting heights put me straight into my element. The course is designed in a way so that people of all fitness and agility levels can take part in the experience, however, only those who are considerably agile can take on the coveted Category Black course. This course consisted of a range of the park’s most difficult obstacles and challenges. There was even a pair of students that managed to conquer the entire park, including the Category Black course in just under 45 minutes!

There wasn't just ziplining and agile fun at this park, some students decided to get to know the local livestock and domesticated wildlife. The park had its own version of a pastoral farm, specifically consisting of 3 donkeys, 4 goats and a chicken. These guys made an absolute hit with some of our students, to the point were they were comfortable enough to allow us to pet and touch them. However, one donkey decided to get a little too comfortable with a certain student, and whilst the student was chatting away about “How incredibly cute, I

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So then came the main event of the day, Mount Etna. As we drove and climbed higher and higher, surrounding the beautiful volcano was a wealth of vibrant greenery and the air as fresh as a fisherman's morning stock. Etna was an incredible sight, with the overwhelming scenery just a fantastic feeling. You must visit to understand how enchanting this site is. From the ashy, black soil to the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, this adventure was worthy of being the main event. As good as events are, food is needed to fuel our bodies to do more activities. So, we took a pitstop at a lovely little chalet, where we were treated to pasta and sausages, where one table ate the house down when it came to the sausages and let me inform you, I won’t be eating sausages for some time now. All good things must end, and it was time to make our way to our hotel, where we would be staying the night. The hotel was on a lovely secluded patch of land with greenery all around us, but that did come at a cost, as there was no signal in the area. However, we still found activities to do, as we took part in some traditional Italian dance sequences that built up some appetites by the end. As we finished with some pizza as our final supper, the day was concluded under the gorgeous view of the stars as we roamed underneath its beauty, ready for the next day of tomfoolery and fun.

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literally want to adopt it” the donkey decided to take a gentle gnaw at the student’s forearm. The student (only noticing about 20 seconds later that the donkey had made them their chew-toy), calmly pushed the donkey and pulled her hand out of the donkey’s mouth and went to the accompanying teacher for a quick sprinkle of antiseptic.

After the adventurous and playful events of the Parcallario Adventure Park, our group of IB students took to the stunning town of Modica, where we had a two hour guided walking tour, visiting places like the Modica Chocolate Factory for a chocolate tasting, and the beautiful Santa Maria di Gesu church at the top of Modica’s highest hill, where a group photo was taken to commemorate the fear of climbing the seemingly neverending flight of steps to the foot of the church.

We then made our way back from Modica to Pozzallo, where our fantastic journey full of weird moments, karaoke bus rides, odd moments and spontaneous dance routines ended, arriving in Malta at around 10:00pm.

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Network, Dr Xenia Loizidou and environmental activist and local tv personality Ms Claire Agius. Energy Minister Miriam Dalli was also in attendance and was interviewed by the students at the end of the ceremony. The boys produced an article that was published the next day on the YRE Malta Social Media. Our budding journalists were an example to all the adults present there not only because at such a young age they showed a keen interest in our society’s environmental impact and the opportunities for sustainability but also because they were charismatic, professional and assertive in their decorum. Such an experience helped our budding journalists to experience the rush of creating relevant news in a short time span, to take photos and practice video shooting and editing. The students felt a sense of accomplishment at end not only because they managed to work together and to stand up to the challenge posed to them by the situation but also because the adults at the event treated them with respect and as proper journalists. Minister Dalli especially was very keen to answer their questions and wanted to speak to them specifically before heading to her next appointment in her busy schedule. At the moment, the team is preparing also a short video about the event and will explore further journalistic opportunities related to the same field of sustainability. Students interested in pursuing journalism through the medium of writing, photography or videography should get in touch with Dwardu’s Scoops as well as participate in YRE (Middle-Senior-IB) and Press Kids (Junior School level).

Just Tae Kwon Do it

A few weeks ago, the Middle School students were treated to a a Takewando display by an Old Edwardian. The boys learnt the basic moves of this sport and were told what Takewando is all about. In fact as a sport, this is a Korean martial art which focuses on speed and kicks. It relies on inner strength and there are influences from Japanese Karate and Chinese martial arts. Takewando is also an Olympic sport. Like many other sports, this discipline will help students build relationships and find new friends. Quoting Iron Taekwondo League website “Taekwondo training will help you develop flexibility, muscular strength and a mental fortitude that only swells as the years go by. Taekwondo is not just a sport. It’s a way of life built on values. Respect, empathy, compassion - these all become a part of you and how you live your life.”

We look forward to introducing this sport as an after-school activity in 2023!

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The World’s smallest English Dictionary

By Deyan Pace Year 8

It is a little treasure! That was my initial thought as soon as my dad handed me this tiny metal encased book. I was enthralled by the sheer minute dimensions, and I quickly started searching the internet scouring for more information about its make. Published in 1890 by David Bryce & Son, Glasgow, it measures 27 mm by 20mm and has 384 pages set in 1 and 1.5 pt type font. All this in a book which is smaller than a matchbox! The book comes in a metal case that closes like a locket of sorts for portability and protection. The glass on the front of the case serves also a magnifying glass to be able to read the tiny print rather than being just a mere window. The metal used for the case quite cheap at the time and it was coated with a sort of plating that got worn off by time. The actual book has a dark red leather cover and there is an illustration of Bryce himself on the first page. The books were sold with different styled lockets and at different prices to suite the pockets of a wide range of people. In fact, you could find them in tin, brass and even sterling silver. I came in possession of this tiny treasure when a friend of my father, who is into antiques showed it to him and my dad bought it as a surprise for me. What fascinates me the most is not only its good condition, even though it is over a 100 years old, but also the fact that they managed to print such a tiny book in the first place with the technology available at the time.

When sweet is not that good

By Samantha Abela

Primary Health Care celebrates Diabetes Day yearly on the 14th of November. For Malta, where this condition is very prevalent, emphasizing the preventive measures required is a step well worth investing in. This year, besides the normal activities talks were held in schools related to TYPE 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Last Friday, 18th November the Middle School students met Ms Deborah Farrugia a Practice Development Nurse and her colleague who is a Diabetes Clinic Nurse. The two ladies discussed with our boys the importance to be aware of such a condition, what is, how to recognize the symptoms, how to manage it and the importance of exercise and a good diet. The talk was very informative and the boys were as in inquisitive as ever.

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