Mission statement

St.Joan Antide school is a Church school founded at Gudja by the sisters of Charity in 1964. Holy Family school is the kindergarten extension of the same school.

The latter became part of St.Joan Antide school since 1999. In November 1999, St.Joan Antide could inaugurate its new look, as it went through a whole project of restructuring and enlargement in order to be more in line with modern educational needs. All this could be possible with the whole co-operation and support of all those who make up the school educational community, who have at heart the welfare of each and every child in our care.

When we chose to be members of this school community we became heirs of a long standing tradition started by St.Jeanne Antide Thouret in 1799 in France.

For more information about the origins and history of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity find web site http://www.suoredellacarita.org/english.

Goals

1. Jeanne Antide wanted that in all the “schools of charity”, as she used to call them, instruction would mean Christian education, human formation and reasonable academic achievements. All this could be summed up as holistic education based on Christian values.

2. We are open to girls who come from all backgrounds of society but special attention is given to girls who are in any way disadvantaged.

3. Adequate professional preperation is required of all the teaching staff in order to fulfill the role of genuine teachers able to communicate culture in a perspective of faith.

4. Respect, compassion, acceptance, sincerity, understanding, patience... are all expressions of love. Through our example the girls will experience the loving care of God the Father for every human being.

5. “Members of the People of God, we receive our mission from the Church and we fulfill it in the Church” (Rule of the sisters of charity). Jeanne Antide considered herself “daughter of the Holy Church” and wished that all who shared in her mission would in the same way manifest their faithfulness to the Church through their words and actions. The communitarian spirit lived in the school should be an expression of our commitment to the Christian community at large.

These goals are used as criteria to check how relevant and efficient is our educational project today.

Explanation of goals

1. Holistic education based on Christian values.

• We follow the curriculum and syllabus set by the state as long as these are not against Christian principles.
• Niccelebraw is-sagramenti tal-qrar, tqarbin u grizma u naghtuhom l-importanza mehtiega.
• Valuri nsara jigu mghallma mux biss billi kuljum ikollhom il-lezzjonijiet tar-religjon imma bil-mod kif naghtu l-ezempju bil-kliem u l-mod kif ingibu ruhna fil-lezzjonijiet kollha.
• Naghtu l-ghajnuna taghna safejn nistghu meta nintalbu nghinu f' xi kampanja tal-karita`.
• Fid-decizzjonijiet u r-relazzjonijiet kollha taghna, l-gustizzja u l-hniena ghandhom jimxu id f' id.
• Kull sena jitqassmu, lil kull student, certifikati ta' mertu f' dak it-talent li fih jispikkaw l-aktar.
• It-tfal huma mhegga jippartecipaw f'kuncerti, komperizzjonijiet u attivitajiet extra-kurrikulari biex b'hekk jiksbu kunfidenza fihom infushom u jizviluppaw l-abiltajiet taghhom.
  

2. Special attention given to whoever is at a disadvantage.

• Refer cases to specialized agencies to receive advice for the proper way to help.
• Together with the help and attention given by the class teacher, the child may need to get support of the complimentary teacher and councilor.
• In the case of special needs the child has the right to have a facilitator in class with her.
• In mixed ability classes, children have an opportunity to socialize and appreciate the enriching differences that exist among human beings.

3. Professional preparation and ongoing formation.

• Living in a fast changing world the initial qualifications have to be kept up to date with the new methods and tools in education.
• Faith has to be lived and professed not only according to the evangelical principles but also to the ever developing teachings of the church.
• Seminars, courses and talks are organized also for parents who want to learn and discuss matters with professional people.
• The school organizes 3 day seminars for teachers every year to provide an opportunity to refresh, update, evaluate, or deepen our commitment to this mission.
• Experience the loving care of God the Father.
• No actions or words will be tolerated in the school that are against brotherhood love and care.
• When we witness or experience unhappy incidents or clashes, the matter has to be treated calmly through dialogue and a willingness to forgive.
• God created every person as a unique masterpiece, so every individual in our school community has to be respected and accepted in her uniqueness.

4. Active participants of the Catholic church.

• The Christian community that forms our school is just a small cell in the big body that is the church. So we pray together as a community that shares in the same faith, during the daily morning assembly, and follow the events of the Catholic Church in our diocese and in the rest of the world.
• We appreciate the richness and variety of experiences brought to school by the children and staff that come from different Parishes and Christian movements.
• We celebrate the first Friday mass of every month together with the children that attend the state school in the parish church at Gudja. This and other similar occasions help us to feel part of the Christian community in Gudja.

Code of Conduct

To maintain a happy working environment, it is necessary to have some simple basic guidelines.

• School starts at 7.45 and ends at 1.15. Teachers, parents and school transport drivers are to respect these time limits and are expected to give valid reasons in case of lack of punctuality.
• A note from parents will be required if students are absent from school for one or two days. A medical certificate is necessary if children are absent for 3 or more consecutive days.
• The pupils’ notebook is a means of communication between parents and teachers, not only for negative remarks but also for appointments, appraisals or other.
• Appropriate manners, co-operation, consideration and respect for each other are to be encouraged at school and at home.
• Order and cleanliness of our personal belongings and of the school environment is necessary in order to maintain a pleasant environment in which to work.
• Anyone found to be causing damage will be dealt with severely and may be asked to pay for the damage.
• Students should, at all times, move around the school in an orderly way. There should be no smoking on the school premises.
• Adults are requested to come to school in proper dress. No sleeveless garments and shorts are allowed at school.
• Parents are always welcome to come and discuss matters with the Head or the teachers but these must follow an appointment .
• No one is to disturb the private life of children, parents or teachers by telephoning after school hours.
• In order to avoid heavy school satchels, a time-table is established in every class. Some books may be left at school and the children have to carry the bare necessary in their school bags.
• Stationery and other items of a particular trade mark are not allowed in our school.
• Closing dates and deadlines are to be respected.
• All money sent to school must always be in the exact amount and sent in a sealed envelope with the child’s name and class on the envelope. Finger nails are to be kept short and hair tied back.
• In order to nurture healthy nutrition habits children are asked to bring no sweets to school (except to celebrate birthdays). They are also encouraged to bring water instead of soft drinks or juices, and to eat fruit.
• Birthday cakes must be plain.


All those who are not willing to abide with the above rules, will be requested to give valid reasons to the teachers or the Head and if the behaviour persists, the child will be asked to change school.



School uniform

Summer:

Yellow Polo Shirt
Divided Skirt
Green ankle socks
Black shoes.


P.E.Kit

Blue Shorts
Yellow T-shirt
White ankle socks
White runners
White cap



Winter

Yellow blouse
Uniform bow
Uniform skirt
Green cardigan
Green blazer
Green tights
Black shoes


P.E. Kit

Blue track suit
Yellow turtle neck
White runners


Jewellery:

No watches, rings or bracelets are allowed. One pair of stud earrings (not more than one per ear) may be worn.
Wearing stud earrings during P.E. may be dangerous.


Headdress:

Only green ribbons or hair bends are allowed.
If children wear more than this, they will be asked to remove it or even have it confiscated.




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