Foundation Day 2022: Celebrating our College’s 115th birthday

Happy Foundation Day!

On Monday 10th October, our entire educational community commemorated our College’s 115^th birthday (official date: October 8) with a variety of activities taking place around the three schools.

From a scout and guide parade to a special historical performance at the Primary School, and a joyous mass at the Secondary School, the day was packed with activities bringing members of staff and students together, while honouring the College’s legacy and forward-looking approach.

This year’s theme ‘Bridges of Peace’ was also launched during the activities taking place at our Primary and Secondary Schools.

Check out the photos here

The first edition of the Men and Women for Others Award Ceremony, sponsored by the Fr Charles Caruana sj Memorial Fund, was held in the College Theatre. Sixth Form alumna and renowned Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Director, Dr Katrine Camilleri, was awarded for her dedication, passion, and hard work with refugees. She dedicated the award to her colleagues at JRS, who are men and women working for and defending others, with courage and determination.

Fr Jimmy Bartolo sj, College Rector, highlighted the below during his speech:

‘The “men and women for others” award is the highest award that St Aloysius College bestows on persons who are doing their best to live this ideal in their lives.
We are honoured to give this award to Dr Katrine Camilleri who has spent all her professional life so far as a lawyer advocating for the rights of refugees. This is the ideal that we would like to propose to our students: using our intelligence and other talents to serve others, particularly those in need and vulnerable in our society. It is not about self-promotion or self-interest. It is about generous service. Pope Francis’s message in favour of refugees dying in the Mediterranean Sea is very clear: we cannot allow these people to die in what has become the biggest cemetery. This is a criminal act!
Katrine is devoting her life to fighting against certain racist attitudes and behaviour which unfortunately still prevail in our country. We thank the Lord for having so many past pupils of our college who are truly men and women for others. This is the main aim of our education in Malta and in the world.’

The memorial fund was set up by a group of Fr Caruana’s former pupils, with the intention to honour his memory, and celebrate the formative role that he played at College. Mr Gordon Caruana Dingli and Perit Nicholas Bianchi attended the ceremony on behalf of the board of trustees.

The official launch of the Multisensory Garden, located close to the College Church, also took place. The garden was designed following a donation made to the College by the late parents of our Rector, Fr Jimmy Bartolo sj, which was also invested in the installation of two lifts at the Secondary School. Ms Catherine and Mr Anthony Bartolo, Fr Jimmy’s siblings, were both present.

This project is very much in line with our beliefs and promotion of inclusive practices at College. This garden will be another tool for students to learn. They will cultivate crops and plants, and will have access to different materials that will help them develop certain skills.
– Fr Jimmy Bartolo sj, Rector

Well done to all the organising teams and our staff and students for making it such a memorable and eventful day!

Let us be grateful for all Jesuits, educators, students, and all employees who preceded us and who have dedicated so many years of generous service throughout the past 115 years.

To many more Foundation Days.

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