The annual Maria Regina College Mass at the beginning of the school year was organised at the Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady in Mosta on October 19th.2023.

As in past years, a group of students from each school forming part of MRC attended mass.

In a short introductory speech, the Head of College Network, Mr Decelis, emphasised the fact that we should all respect and help each other. This makes school life more enjoyable. He also thanked all those who helped in the organisation and all MRC staff. The Mosta Archpriest emphasised the importance of listening to one another and use our voice to say nice and kind things about others.

Thank you goes to all involved in making this celebration another memorable one and to the students that participated actively.

Maria Regina College is collaborating with Monticelli d’Ongina School in a cultural exchange project “With English I can travel around the World”. This project envisages an in-depth study in English, of the Maltese culture, traditions, and civilisation. It is aimed primarily at 11- and 12-year-old students attending this Italian Institute. A cultural exchange visit is planned towards the end of the course (April 2024), where a group of Italian students will travel to Malta to carry out some study days at MRC Naxxar Middle School and will have a certification assessment to certify that they have successfully completed their course.

On Thursday 12th October and Friday 13th October 2023, Mr Patrick Decelis, Head of College Network, Mr Renzo Galea, Head of MRC Naxxar Middle School and Ms Mary Rose Cordina, MRC E.O. Curriculum, attended meetings to discuss the course description, how to promote a cross-curricular approach in this project and the planning and logistics for the exchange visit. Also, they attended the Project’s Inauguration ceremony.

https://www.icmonticelli.it/…/apre-il-corso-english-i…

https://www.liberta.it/…/oltre-venti-studenti-di…/…

On Monday 10th July 2023, Maria Regina College organised an interesting meeting/teambuilding activity for all the College clerks. Mr Patrick Decelis, Head of College Network, emphasised the importance of better organisation at MRC schools and discussed the importance of better customer care since the College focuses on continuously improving the service. Another topic discussed was Time Management. Through various teambuilding games, clerks had the opportunity to get to mingle and get to know each other.

On Tuesday 4th July 2023, Maria Regina College organised another fruitful end of year evaluative meeting with 1st year NQTs/NRTs. The importance of giving quality education for all students and caring for them was emphasised by Mr Patrick Decelis, Head College Network and Ms Mary Rose Cordina, EO Curriculum. Mr Decelis encouraged NQTs/NRTs to seek professional development and to become reflective practitioners and continue studying. All participants had time to share good practices together and also to talk about challenges they faced during their first year of teaching experience. Ms Catherine Tanti, EO Education Resources, attended the meeting and discussed the Induction process with them.

https://tinyurl.com/32xj4mkt

MRC Council of Heads celebrated the confirmation of Mr Patrick Decelis as Head of Maria Regina College Network for another term. We look forward to four years of endeavours with such a wonderful team.

Maria Regina College has launched the MRC Assessment Policy Framework 2023.  After discussions with all stakeholders involved and following progress in the field, the second edition followed the original Assessment Policy which was published in 2016.  In this updated document, all stages of the education system were covered and the secondary sector was included, since the first one focused only on the primary years. This framework also reflects the introduction of the Learning Outcomes, Continuous Assessment and School-based Assessment.  The publication aims at giving Maria Regina College schools the necessary guidelines but at the same time leaves space for each school to adopt and adapt strategies according to the schools’ strengths and challenges.

https://tinyurl.com/MRC-Assessment-Policy

After the introduction of STEM education in most Maria Regina College Schools, Mr Decelis, Head of College Network, took this a step forward and is emphasising the importance of moving from STEM to STEAM.  We try to give students 21st-century learning opportunities.   When arts are part of STEM, STEM comes to life and sparks connections for many more students to engage creatively, critically and confidently in their learning.  Also, we are planning two Erasmus+ projects about this New Learning Approach.

Parental engagement is one of the best ways to create a positive learning environment for every student.  We organise workshops for parents/guardians to show them how through basic items found at home one can engage children in STEAM activities.  

On Thursday 13^th April 2023, we also organised a Virtual Escape Room where participants had to work out some STEAM challenges to be able to solve the mystery and crack the Code.  We were impressed with the outcome. 

Mr Patrick Decelis, Head of College Network, presented books and a certificate to the first three winners who cracked the code during the Virtual Escape Room Challenge.

1st Kim Debono – MRC Mosta Primary B

2nd Julia Carabott – MRC Mosta Primary B

3rd Beatrice Cachia – MRC St Paul’s Bay Primary All other participants were presented with a certificate. Well done to all.

https://tinyurl.com/Escape-Rm-Challenge

On 23rd June 2023 the staff at MRC Admin Centre had an interesting Teambuilding activity aimed ay performing a SCOT analysis of the school year and promoting teamwork. The various games and discussions were aimed at building a collective memory and getting to know each other more, since the team has changed with new additions lately. Thanks to Mr Patrick Decelis, Head of College Network, who will continue to give a sterling service to Maria Regina College in the coming years.

https://tinyurl.com/Teambuilding-activity

A meeting for all Complementary Teachers and Literacy Support Teachers within Maria Regina College was held on the 23rd May 2023.

During the session, Ms Zarb, HoD Literacy and Ms Schembri, HoD Assessment for Learning, explained the resource packs which they created. The aim was to show teachers examples how to embrace AfL and Let me Learn strategies through various exercises in the four literacy components.

All teachers also had the time to discuss and come up with ideas on how to create other resources using these strategies.

https://tinyurl.com/Training-for-CE-Teachers