For this year’s prize day, the drama students at Guzè Damato Paola Boys Secondary School, under the direction of their teacher, Nazzareno Camilleri, gave a representation of one of the most enjoyable comedies written by the famous Italian dramatist and Nobel Prize winner for Literature, Luigi Pirandello.

The setting for the one-act play, La Giara, translated into our native tongue by Johnny Navarro, is a farm on our neighbouring island of Sicily, towards the beginning of the last century. The play evolves around a large earthen jar and its owner. The young actors were greatly applauded by the audience for their excellent performance.

Also greatly appreciated were the musical selections, all chosen from the works of Maestro Carmelo Pace whose birth centenary is being commemorated this year. Mro Manoel Pirotta directed the students who also played the school anthem, composed by Maestro Edward Briffa, a former teacher in this school.

The headmaster’s speech on this important occasion in the scholastic calendar was greatly awaited by parents and students alike because he proclaimed his vision (expectations) for this school. In his first speech on the occasion of the school prize day, Mr Cilia Vincenti reiterated that parents and teachers have to work hand in hand and that it would be a grave mistake if parents were to think that their children’s education was the sole responsibility of the teachers. He insisted that both the home and the school play an influential role in the education and formation of the children’s character. He referred to the school as a “large family”.

The headmaster also said that one of his priorities when he first came to the school was not only to improve the physical environment but especially to create an environment where the students feel safe; a calm, quiet and orderly environment. These are the principal ingredients for a good school. Mr Cilia Vincenti also referred to the activities and initiatives undertaken by the teachers, the Students’ Council and parents, among which one finds the live-in, the Book Fair, the radio programmes and the publication of a newsletter, to name just a few.

In a short address before the actual prize-giving ceremony, Mr Alfred Mallia, the Director of Education, spoke on the importance of dialogue between students, parents and teachers.