As we marked Public Service Month, I reflected with pride and gratitude on the journey that has shaped my career and school community. Over the past 32 years of service within the Ministry - 17 of them in school leadership - I have been entrusted with the privilege of turning vision into reality.

One of the defining moments of this journey came last year, when Permanent Secretary Matthew Vella convened all State School Heads at the MCAST auditorium. That day stood out for the warm appreciation extended to us and for a groundbreaking initiative - Open Horizons. For the first time, school leaders were empowered with greater autonomy and tangible resources to act. It was a leadership gesture that resonated deeply with many of us.

Thanks to this support, our school enthusiastically embraced the opportunity, launching Malta's first Thinking Laboratory, inspired by the late Professor Edward de Bono, the internationally renowned Maltese pioneer of creative and critical thinking. This initiative has elevated the learning environment for our students, making abstract skills like innovation and reflection tangible and accessible.

The success of this project was made possible not only through visionary thinking, but also through the dedication of the ministry's technical teams - manual workers and planners who continue to bring excellence into school spaces across Malta.

I have also been blessed with opportunities to contribute nationally throughout my career. One of the roles I hold most dearly is my work on the Thematic Literacy Committee, led by Professor Charles Mifsud - a platform where policy, research, and classroom realities meet.

However, perhaps the most personal achievement is the school I am currently leading. I had the honour of opening its doors. I watched it grow through multiple reforms and transitions. I nurtured it - together with an extraordinary team - into a dynamic, future-focused learning community. For the past 12 and a half years, it has been more than just a workplace; it has been a calling, a mission, and a place where educational ideals have become real, visible, and measurable.

In recent years, our school has expanded its innovation in digital and linguistic education. Our Future Lab, part of the European School Net initiative, supports transformative teaching practices through podcasting, data-informed instruction, professional development, and educational research. Our Language Lab promotes foreign language learning through immersive VR experiences. We proudly align with the Ministry's Digital Education Strategy 2025-2030, which prioritises digital literacy and ethical technology.

Our commitment to local heritage and identity is equally strong. Through the project "Ħitan Jitkellmu," our students explored and celebrated the richness of the Maltese language and culture through creative expression and collaboration. Initiatives like this ensure that our school fosters a deep respect for national values while preparing students for global citizenship.

We are also proud to host the Malta Chess Academy on campus - an initiative that strengthens our efforts in fostering creative and strategic thinking among students. Through our own Chess Club, we offer structured chess learning as part of our Midday Break Activities programme. Our students actively participate in inter-school and national-level tournaments within their age categories, developing their game skills, focus, resilience, and sportsmanship.

One of the recent highlights in our school calendar was the Handaq Sports Camp 2025, which brought together 40 enthusiastic students for a weekend full of energy, collaboration, and school spirit. The programme featured various sports activities and team-building challenges that encouraged resilience, leadership, and friendship. This success was only possible thanks to the tireless efforts of our Senior Management Team, the PE and English departments, visiting educators and clerical staff.
We also take great pride in promoting Global Citizenship Education, which is grounded in sustainable development principles and democratic student participation. Our School Council has been awarded the Gold Award for School Councils for the fifth consecutive time - a testament to our culture of empowerment, dialogue, and student voice.

What fills me with the deepest satisfaction is not the list of projects completed, but the transformation felt across the community - the shared pride, the student confidence, the collective commitment to excellence.

As I conclude my mission as head of school and embark on a new mission, I feel profoundly grateful to all our stakeholders-our dedicated students, supportive parents and guardians, and particularly our exceptional educators-whose unwavering collaboration and cooperation have been the foundation of all we have achieved; without their support, none of these accomplishments would have been possible.
This is what public service can be: not just a role, but a purpose.

Dr Maria Montebello is Head of School - St Ignatius College, Prof. Edward de Bono, Ħandaq Middle School