New school start!

Here we are again with a new first school day this year. And a good one, finally!

After our previous incident with the Verdala International School (or to be more correct with the Dinosaur Lady Mrs. G.) we had to start looking for a different solution for Delfina's schooling.

Basically, Malta has three types of schools: public schools, church schools and independent schools. We quickly opted for finding an independent school which would suite as much as possible our idea of a modern place for learning, with lots of activities, an international flare and a solid curriculum. 

We then started driving around and around visiting most of the independent schools on the island. This was also extremely interesting because of the unexpected variety of institutions we could find on such a small territory. Many to choose from, really.

Another amazing discovery was that, being just a few days before the beginning of the school year, all the schools in Malta were actually very busy painting their whole facilities anew.

Now, we don't know what the praxis is in other countries, but you can rest assured that Italian schools are not painted every year, nor every other year, nor every fifth year or more. Sincerely, we don't even know if they ever re-paint their facilities after ten or more years. You can imagine how surprised we were when we were told that this was a normal yearly routine for all Maltese schools! 

So, after quite a few days of running from one school to another, we finally decided to enroll Delfina to the Chiswick House School (CHS). A very nice school just a few minutes bus drive from our home.

Founded in 1905, Chiswick House School originally catered for children of British families stationed in Malta. In time, the school also extended its teaching to Maltese boys and girls and established itself as a so called ‘elite educational institution’ in Windsor Terrace, Sliema. Since then, the school has kept a fine educational tradition while developing into a very modern and open minded institution.

In 1991 the school moved to an award winning, state- of- the -art premises in San Gwann specially designed for them by a leading architect firm. Indeed one of the best facilities we have ever seen.

The Junior School Program offers a variety of educational experience through:  The Core Areas (Maltese, English, Mathematics, and Science), The Humanities, Geography and History • Religious Education (as an optional course), The Expressive Arts  (Art, Music and Drama), Physical Education and Sport, Personal Social and Health Education, Information and Communication Technology.

The facilities include, very nice, large classes, outdoor recreational areas, art rooms, a large, fully equipped theatre, IT labs, a fine music room and a large very well furnished library.

One extra good reason for us to apply to CHS was the fact that they hold different kinds of interesting projects and collaborations with other schools abroad. Among these, the school also carries an Italian curriculum which Delfina can join in part, instead of taking classes in Maltese and Religion.

Having her enrolled has not been an easy task at first, though. Since this is indeed one of the best (if not the best) schools in Malta, the classes are completely full long before the school year starts. Nevertheless, here also we have been very fortunate and thanks to the staff's helpfullness and the unexpected moving of one of the children, Delfina could finally enroll in the Year 3 class with Miss Louise. 

And you know what? No sunglasses here, no special semantics, nor dinosaur-ladies either! Amazing, isn't it?

So, here is our little treasure on her way to school with her new uniform!

          

A little nervous, may be, but it went fine all together. 

Have a nice school year, Delfina. This is going to be a good one! :-)