Special Mass to officially launch the Jesuit Global Network of Schools

Special Mass to officially launch the Jesuit Global Network of Schools

 The most important thing in life is not to do extraordinary things, but to do the ordinary things in an extraordinary way

– St. John Berchmans

Today, Friday 26th November at 6 pm, Fr. General Arturo Sosa SJ will be officiating a Mass from the Church of Saint Ignatius in Rome, broadcast online, on the occasion of the official launch of the Jesuit Global Network of Schools.

The Secretariat for Secondary and Pre-Secondary Jesuit Education, invite all educators and members of school communities in Jesuit schools around the world to participate in the Eucharist to be held on the occasion of the official launch of the Jesuit Global Network of Schools on the 400th anniversary of the death of St. John Berchmans.

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More about St. John Berchmans

> He was an enthusiastic student, an excellent orator and a cheerful and generous friend. He has been described as a young man of exemplary life.

> On the 400th Anniversary of his death, we wish to honor his legacy with the official foundation of the Jesuit Global Network of Schools on his feast day. Let us pray together, Jesuit and Companion Schools, to affirm our shared identity.

The Jesuit Global Network of Schools will be an expression of a common identity and our commitment to contribute to a universal body with a universal mission. 

Celebrating World Children’s Day at our College

Celebrating World Children’s Day at our College

What is World Children’s Day?

World Children’s Day, or Universal Children’s Day, is celebrated on November 20th. It is a date of great importance: in 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Since 1990, World Children’s Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children’s rights. The day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.

How did we celebrate World Children’s Day at our College?

World Children’s Day was celebrated in various ways at our schools.

Primary:

Students at our Primary School attended two dedicated online assemblies prepared by Ms Roberta Camilleri, where they were invited to reflect on the right to education and the importance of World Children’s Day.

They also wrote a note of thanks to the Commissioner for Children and included some suggestions to further protect children in Malta and in other countries. They also wrote their wishes for their future and our country. We are so pleased that the Commissioner has received our children’s work! 

Secondary:

During nature class, Ms Leona Mifsud invited her students to think about the question ‘Do children have rights?’, and then discussed the right to a clean environment, as the children printed their own world and leaf using balloon and leaf printing.

Mr Ronald Formosa invited Form 5 students to reflect and write an essay focusing on the role of adults in safeguarding children’s rights. We will be publishing some of these essays in the near future.

The Modern Languages Department are also hatching up something exciting in the coming weeks… so watch this space!

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UPDATE: Bill on the recreational use of cannabis

UPDATE: Bill on the recreational use of cannabis

TO ALL MEMBERS OF STAFF AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF SAC PRIMARY SCHOOL, SECONDARY SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM

The Secretariat for Catholic Education and the Church Schools Association teamed up with twenty other entities to express concerns on the proposed Cannabis legislation. The common position was sent to all Members of Parliament. It is important that you are informed about the possible implications of what is being proposed and of what our inaction could lead to.

You are therefore strongly encouraged to disseminate the links below amongst your friends and to voice your opinion to Members of Parliament of your district.

123 EN REACTION 22 ENTITIES CANNABIS BILL

123 MT REAZZJONI 22 ENTITA ABBOZZ KANNABIS

123 POSITION PAPER ON CANNABIS LEGISLATION

Thank you very much for your collaboration.

Best regards,

Jimmy sj

‘Promoting a culture of safeguarding in our institutions’: a training event

‘Promoting a culture of safeguarding in our institutions’: a training event

Last week, the training event titled ‘Promoting a culture of safeguarding in our institutions’ was held in Frascati. The seminar was organised by the Fondazione Gesuiti Educazione (FGE) and the Institute of Anthropology: Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care (IADC) at the Pontifical Gregorian University (Universita’ Gregoriana). Fr Jimmy Bartolo sj, Ms Daniela Camilleri Sacco and Ms Sue Mohnani attended the event on behalf of our College.

This was a continuation of the first course held between February 2020 and November 2021, with the aim to promote safeguarding in our schools in line with the second indicator of the Living Tradition, ‘Jesuit Schools are committed to creating a Safe and Healthy Environment for all.’ This online course was organised by the Centre for Child Protection (CCP) at the Gregoriana, with the participation of key representatives and promoters of this culture in our schools.

Taking place in Frascati, the last part of the training consisted of a train the trainer course, with a focus on promoting a safeguarding culture in the network. The seminar was facilitated by Dt Alessandro del Campo and Dt Angela Rinaldi.

While three schools already have protocols in place, other schools are working on implementing new protocols. Fr Jimmy Barolo sj explains, ‘the next step involves continued regular training for all members of staff and newly recruited staff, so that our schools will be safe and promote a safeguarding culture for the benefit of all students and employees.’

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A Teacher’s Influence – Mr Paul Borg

A Teacher’s Influence – Mr Paul Borg

A few months ago, our entire College community was shocked to hear of the passing of Mr Paul Borg;  a greatly respected colleague, beloved friend, and inspiring teacher.

Shortly before his passing, alumnus Nicholas Ellul who is now an Environmental Economist, had been in touch with Mr Borg to meet for a coffee, to which he gladly accepted. His intention was to pass on a book and discuss his favourite subject with his first mentor.
Moreover he would have liked to thank him. Ellul explains, ‘if I managed to become an economist it is in great part thanks to him passing to us the love for the subject at such a young age.’
As misfortune would have it, Mr Borg passed a week before the scheduled meet-up.

To honour their teacher’s memory, Ellul (along with alumnus, Robert Zammit) have chosen to present the book, Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth, to the St Aloysius College Library.

Featured above: Nicholas Ellul presenting the book to Fr Jimmy SJ
Featured below: The book presented by the alumni, along with the dedication

 

To our beloved first Economics teacher, Mr Paul Borg,

Before you taught us the wealth of nations, you spoke of the majesty of individual craftsmanship; before the Washington Consensus, the ideals of liberation theology; before econometrics, the importance of social action; before exploitation of resources, the tragedy of ravaging our planet; before rational behaviour, the importance of values.

Pawlu, you introduced us to the wonderful subject that is economics, and taught us with your admirable versatility: from the rawness of the pollution in the river Volga, to the beauty of your beloved Beatles. That made you both the rarest and the best. For our love of the discipline, we will always be grateful. And if at 36 we still believe that together we can make the world a better place, it is also thanks to you.

Rest in peace, dearest teacher.

– Nikki & Robert
November 2021

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