Category: Archives

NACE

NACE We are very pleased to share with you a video highlighting how NACE is being implemented at Chiswick House School and very soon also at St Martin’s College. Chiswick House School has become the first international school to be accredited with the prestigious NACE Challenge Award. The National Association for More Able Children in Education (NACE) award is given in recognition of school-wide commitment to high-quality provision for more able learners, in the context of challenge for all. NACE CEO Sue Riley said: “We are delighted to announce that Chiswick House has become NACE’s first international member to gain the respected NACE Challenge Award. It is clear that the school sets high expectations for its learners, and in turn learners do the same for themselves. The school demonstrated that its provision for more able learners is at the heart of its development plan. Staff work closely with parents and there is a strong ethos of collaboration and innovation. We look forward to working with Chiswick House as the school further develops its offer, and sharing its expertise with other NACE member schools across the globe.”
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ICSEI 2019 Conference

ICSEI 2019 Conference Ms Bernie Mizzi and Professor Grace Grima have just presented their piece on ‘Collaborative professionalism in action to impact learners after an educational reform. A case study from Malta,’ during their trip to ICSEI 2019 Conference in Norway. They are joined by Chiswick House School and St Martin’s College Senior Leaders, Marica Portelli, Claire Felice Pace and Audrey Fenech Adami, who are participating in many of the very interesting educational programmes and have also been visiting many different schools in Stavanger, Norway. Why ICSEI? Why does Chiswick House School and St Martin’s College (CHSMC) always send members of the Senior Leadership Team to ICSEI? For systemic change! ICSEI is the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement. It takes place every year at the same time of year and in different countries. This year it was in Norway, in conjunction with University of Stavanger. ICSEI, attracting more than 800 delegates from across the globe, offers CHSMC a window into most of the educational systems of the world and certainly a view of cutting-edge educational research and successful innovative practices and strategies. We find it a very cost-effective way to extend our Senior Leaders' knowledge of the best educational practices out there, to give them the opportunity to network with some of the best educational organisations, to share our own interesting experiences and to reflect upon innovative practices to improve our learners' experiences. We are therefore collaborating, communicating, critically appraising, making horizontal connections and creating new knowledge when we come back and work with our teams. There were many highlights – Our Senior Leaders came back with endless ideas regarding the Assessment Review we are currently pursuing. Norway is a world-leader in Early Childhood Education so some of their wonderful practices have been imported!
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Assessment for Learning – Its meaning for the SMC Community

Assessment for Learning – Its meaning for the SMC Community Education in Malta has, this scholastic year, been focusing upon assessment practices in Level 7. St Martin's College has been preparing for the changes taking place nationally since the launch of the learning outcomes in 2015. In fact, all the school’s leadership and teaching staff has been trained in the learning outcomes and their use within the classrooms by Ms Anita, qualified LOF trainer. This year our focus is reviewing the programmes of study in Level 7. We are also looking into our assessment practices at all levels. Great practice has already been identified in various areas of learning and some examples will be posted here as the year progresses. Three great practices have been included: In Level 7, in Mathematics, Ms Maria Bezzina and her learners, through the creation of bookmarks, were guided in the creation of bar charts. In Level 9, in Maltese Literature, Ms Charelle Cacciattolo has created a rubric based on the most important elements to include in a literary essay. In the Middle School, Ms Mandy Micallef Decesare and Ms Jenny Pace Hickey have focused on creating charts for the VEE lessons. These rubrics, which the learners utilised when creating their assigned work, have helped the learners to identify the aspects which they need to include in their work. By following these rubrics’ guidelines, the learners work towards achieving quality standards. Watch this space for more updates.
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Level 8 students participate in the European Year of Cultural Heritage Competition

Level 8 students participate in the European Year of Cultural Heritage Competition Level 8 students were recently awarded book vouchers for their participation in the European Year of Cultural Heritage competition. The EYCH competition was organised by the Directorate for Culture within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government and aimed at promoting Maltese identity and culture through history. The Humanities Department has presented the book vouchers to SMC Library.
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Presentation for our Level 13 Physics Advanced students

Presentation for our Level 13 Physics Advanced students Dr. Alexandra Bonnici, a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering, together with Ms. Ella Miceli Farrugia, an engineering student representing UESA, have held a presentation for our Level 13 Physics Advanced students. They brought several models built by engineering students, to show how their work is useful for the advancement of technology used in the Health industry. The students discussed motors which are used in robotic arms and saw an actual model performing laser printing. They were given the possibility to wear glasses with muscle sensors and see how the movement of their eyes can be detected. These are used in automated hospital beds by patients with motor difficulties. The speakers also brought a thermal camera and an automated car that can detect its surroundings using ultrasound. The camera is used to detect blood circulation problems in patients, especially those suffering from diabetes. The principles used for the car, have been applied to a wheelchair that can detect its surroundings' coordinates and navigate the room automatically. Thank you Dr Bonnici and Ms Miceli Farrugia for a most enjoyable and informative event for our Physics students!
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Sixth Form students visit the European Parliament Office in Valletta

Sixth Form students visit the European Parliament Office in Valletta A group of St Martin’s College Sixth Form students recently visited the European Parliament Office in Valletta as part of the Euroscola programme. Our students attended a presentation called “This time I’m Voting”, informing them of the importance of casting their vote during the European Parliament elections which will be held next May. Throughout the morning, they were also introduced to the work of the European Parliament and had an opportunity to express themselves on issues that are important to them as young Europeans
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