St Edward’s takes the helm in Geography teaching

The Geography Teachers Association has recently renewed its leadership team. The Association is headed by the Head of Senior School at St Edward's College, Mr Daniel Caruana Smith. He is ably backed by veteran geographer Mr Tano Role, assisted by Ms Rita Debattista and Mr Anton Quintano. Mr Caruana Smith said that the team's vision for the association is to increase its relevance among the Geography teachers, enabling them to enhance their resources, connect with each other and, of course, socialize. "We aim to revamp the association and re-ignite the sense of wonderment in the subject. I mean, over time, most of us have stopped asking questions like 'Why do volcanoes go BOOM?'".

The GeoTA is a Non-Governmental Association dedicated to the teaching and sharing of resources among educators of the subject. In the twenty-three years since its inception, it has helped educators on a national level by providing resources and organizing fieldwork sessions or activities for its members. The invitation to participate also extends to students of the subject, as well as anyone with a keen interest in the areas of geography, history or the social studies.

Since its inception, Ms Rita Debattista has held the post of treasurer to the association. Aside from her extensive career as geography teacher, she also collaborated with the Council of Europe at both national and international levels to promote the subject through the Global Education Week events. Ms Debattista has also contributed to a number of publications related to geography education and science. As head of department in a state school, she also contributed to the drafting, implementing and updating of the SEC geography syllabus. Ms Debattista has retired from the classroom, but still remains very active, and participates in almost all activities organized by the association.

Mr Anton Quintano is a historian and author of a number of books and learned articles about Malta’s history. Mr Quintano has had a long-standing career as an educator and head of department of geography in state schools. He is one of the founding members of the Geography Teachers Association (February 2000), and has since been secretary to the society, except for a period of two years. He continues to lead as an active participant during the many excursions and activities organized by the association.

Mr. Avertano Role lectures at the University of Malta (Faculty of the Built Environment), after having been a resident academic at the University for the past thirty odd years. Affectionately known as ‘Tano’ by his many students and fellow teachers, Mr Role is an expert in applied physical geography and has written extensively about soil erosion, desertification and land use planning. He participated in several EU projects within the Mediterranean region and other parts of the World. Mr. Role was the president of the Geography Teachers Association for the last few years before retiring to the role of vice president. Known throughout College as the head of senior school and geography (option) teacher, Mr Daniel Caruana Smith also holds the position of president of the Geography Teachers Association. He started his geographic studies in 2005, and has been involved in the subject ever since. His areas of expertise revolve around cartography and cartometry. Prior to becoming an educator, Mr Caruana Smith also applied his skills within the areas of international transport and demography.

The association works closely with St Edward's College to ensure critical thinking skills, as well as an interest in the humanities is transmitted to future generations.

Green fingers...nibbled!

ByStephanieGrech

Year 1 boys visited Piscopo Gardens this week for a fun packed morning. The children enjoyed a treasure hunt, planting and feeding the fish, just to mention a few. The giggles of the boys when the fish came close and nibbled at their fingers, tickling them, still echo in the corridors of the college! They were very eager to roll up their sleeves and participate in the fun.

Camera, lights...action!

Recently I was invited to accompany Mr. Gerada to go on television to explain what we do in our school’s eco – garden.

ByGregoryMicallefYr6Y

We travelled to the studio in a black taxi. The smell inside, it was like of a perfume shop. Once we arrived, we were happily greeted by the tall security guard who told us what to do. His words were clear and he told us to wait in the reception. There, we waited for an hour until we were told to enter. Once we entered, we were told to go into the make up room so a lady but blusher on Mr. Gerada’s face. After that, we finally entered the actual studio. It felt spectacular actually being behind the cameras. The smell was like at a fish market because the people before us had been cooking fish. A few moments later, we were told to go behind the door so we could go in. As we walked around the scene, the smell of fish faded away. Behind the door many words were there saying, “Antonella’s death chamber” or two faces drawn creepily. What I was seeing wasn’t that pleasant!

As the doorbell rang, we finally entered. The feeling of actually being on television was out of this world. We were asked a number of questions and some of them were hard to answer. She asked me a lot less questions than there were on the script. Somehow after 15 minutes, our time was finished on the show. Going out, I saw a sign of relief on Mr. Gerada’s face. Lastly, we ordered a taxi and went back to school.

This was one of my best experiences in my life. I would do this again even though I was so nervous.

Behind the scenes

The Year 5’s and 6’s loved performing in their recent concert. Their teachers and LSE’s couldn’t let them have all the glory. Here they are rehearsing their own performance before it was revealed to the boys .

The excitement of a sleep-over

The Year 6 students got a bonus round of excitement in a sleepover organized by the college just before the Easter recess. Free of the stress of study and tests, the boys certainly made the most of the time they had together!

Chick

While out participating in the Ekoskola and Let’s Talk Farming projects, the boys came across a nest. While several nests can be seen up in the trees, it is quite unusual to find one on the ground. Imagine the surprise when not only was there this nest but it also had a chick in it...a true Easter gift!