Resiliance and Re-evaluation

From The Headmaster

At St Edward’s College we strive to create exemplary citizens in this increasingly globalised and technological world, placing strong emphasis on character formation, genuine intercultural understanding and leadership skills which will assist them to contribute to the well-being of society.

The last several years have seen an upheaval in societies, businesses, and most importantly, in the personal lives of people. Fortunately, here in Malta, we have seen the Health Authorities, Government, and individuals manage to overcome and survive, not entirely unscarred, the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am not going to dwell on the plethora of opinions that still circulate on the pandemic, but, Malta has managed the crisis relatively well.

We at St Edward’s, and I mean, staff, students and parents, have struggled at times, sometimes we felt overwhelmed, often we simply wanted for it all to end, now!

Originally, I started my career as a Biology teacher. One aspect of us as a species that amazed me, and continues to do so, is our resilience, adaptability and flexibility. The pandemic was a situation that was global and needed a coordinated global response. A response that crossed borders, creeds, ethnicity. Pharmaceutical companies redirected their research departments to focus on a vaccine, research was shared and funded, attempts were made at governmental level to see that there was fair distribution, and we managed.

What we saw here at college this past year was a level of care for one another that was remarkable. Individuals were some days up and some days feeling that they could not cope. On days like these we supported one another. It might have been a laugh, a smile, a simple question on how you were doing. We carried one another through, staff showing sensitivity to one another and to the students. Students paying attention to one another’s moods and feelings.

All the ‘soft’ skills that we endeavor to teach at college. The type of skills that are seldom on a curriculum, the sort of skills that will enable us to ‘get through’ situations, personal as well as professional, as we move through life. Sometimes the sort of skills that are regarded as useless.

Over the past years we remained professional but we highlighted the value of simply being kind to one another!

I was recently given a copy of the book, ‘The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse’ written by Charlie Macksey. I like the book for several reasons, big font, lots of sketches and simple ‘one-liners’ that can encapsulate and encourage us when things are not going our way. Comments beside the sketches that help us keep perspective on life!

Q. ‘Are you a glass half-full or a glass halfempty person?’ A. ‘I am happy to have a glass.’

Q. ‘What do you think is the biggest waste of time?’ A. ‘Comparing yourself to others.’

Q. ‘What is the bravest thing you have ever said?’ A. ‘Help.’

‘One of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things.’

I also listened to an interview with Charlie Macksey. One of the most unassuming humble down-to-earth persons I have heard interviewed. The story of how the book came about is also remarkably interesting, https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/21943837/

You should make the time to listen to this 19-minute interview.

We continue to re-evaluate, what we are doing, why we are doing it and how we are doing it. We continually seek to improve, as a group, and as individuals. It is heartening to hear comments recognising what it is we are striving to achieve. Academic excellence, all students reaching their potential, and it seems that many in our community are appreciating that, whilst academic excellence is emphasized, we also place high value on character formation. Old fashioned values such as politeness, proper manners, an awareness that we have rights, but we also have responsibilities. In essence, at St Edward’s we want to make good individuals who will contribute to the well-being of society.

The pandemic has slowed many schools and businesses down, but has not stopped us here at St Edward’s in our pursuit of providing the best and balanced education to all of our students.

Nollaig Mac An Bhaird HEADMASTER

Headmaster

Early Years

Head of Early Years

Child carer

Child carer

Child carer

KG1 educator

KG1 educator

KG1 educator

KG1 educator

KG2 educator

KG2 educator

KG2 educator

Helper

Year 1 teacher

Year 1 teacher

Year 1 teacher

Year 2 teacher

Year 2 teacher

Junior School

Head of Junior School

Year 3

Year 3

Year 4

Year 4

Year 5

Year 5

Year 6

Year 6

Music Teacher

Literacy Teacher

Maltese Teacher

Art Teacher

PE Teacher

Middle/Senior/IB

Head of Middle School

Head of Senior School

Head of IB Sixth Form