FOREWORD - 1965
The run down in Malta has inevitably
affected the schools and the number of children at Verdala has
fallen from 960 in Summer 1964 to 660 this year, with a proportional
reduction in teaching staff. I had feared that this drop in numbers
might have affected some of the activ- ities of the school but
my fears have proved groundless. Academically our Secondary Selection
results were better than ever whilst in the field of sport we
retained the Inter School Soccer Trophy. The pantomime and nativity
play at Christmas were well up to the standard of previous years
and the music festival just as successful. Although our population
is constantly changing children still settle quickly, en- joy
their stay with us and seem quite reluctant to leave. The standard
of decoration in the school has improved enormously over the last
12 months and we are grateful to M.P.B.W. and N.R.S. for the help
so willingly given. We have a new garden and play area for the
youngest infants and we look forward to the Summer term when we
shall be able to hoist our new green canvas awning to give shade
for out-of-class activities. The swimming pool was in operation
for more days last year than ever before and with a new plastic
liner to be fitted this year and filtration plant already over-
hauled we look forward to a trouble free run. This year we have
started teaching French, with the aid of gramophone records, to
the Second Year classes. This has proved enormously successful
and we hope to extend it to the other year groups, although there
are difficulties in presenting what is really a 3 year course
to children who join at all ages. The work at Verdala is very
much of a team effort involving as it does the clean- ing and
galley staff, the Sick bay staff, the secretaries and the teachers.
Staff leave and staff join but the spirit of the school carries
on. For this reason it would be invidious to mention individuals
by name except in very special circumstances. Last summer Miss
Harris Candey left after having served at the school from the
time it opened. Her devoted teaching, particularly of the children
who for one reason or another were behind the others, and her
ability as a pianist helped to give Verdala the reputation it
now possesses. This year the school will lose Miss Goffe who has
been Head of Infants Department since September 1963, Miss Rowe,
who has been with us since 1950, and Mr Ousbey who has just completed
ten years. They will long be remembered with affection, amongst
other things Miss Goffe for the charmingly efficient way in which
she ran her department, Miss Rowe for her work with ballet and
costumes and Mr Ousbey for his pantomimes. Our best wishes go
with them and with all others leaving Verdala .Fortunately Mr
Ross stays with us and continues to give me unfailing and whole-hearted
support. His complete grasp of day to day detail ensures the smooth
functioning of the school at all times. The school motto Lundum
Praeter Palman Amare can be freely translated as "to love
the game rather than the prize". Verdala children apply this
to the game of learning but still manage to carry off a goodly
share of the prizes. May it always be so.
A.J.G Newbery, Headmaster