On Wednesday, 6th May 2026, St Joseph Mater Boni Consilii School in Paola came alive with creativity, and a shared belief for sustainability as students, staff, and invited guests gathered to celebrate Earth Day 2026.
The morning began as students and distinguished guests were warmly welcomed, setting the tone for the annual celebration. Present for the annual celebration were Sr Cecila Schembri, Ms Rose Piccinino, Councillor on Education for Paola Local Council, Ms Audrey Gauci, YRE Coordinator, and Mr Johann Gatt, LEAF coordinator, as well as the President and members of the PTA.
The compères, Liah Cutajar and Nayelle Vassallo Vella, introduced the event, highlighting the importance of Earth Day and the role each individual plays in caring for our environment.
The EkoSkola President and Vice President, Lea Cassar and Anthea Manara, delivered an inspiring introductory speech. Their message emphasised student leadership, environmental responsibility, and the power of young voices in shaping a more sustainable future, as well as highlighting the work carried out throughout this year with special focus on upcycling and recycling and responsible use of electronic gadgets.
Dr Kenneth Vella, Head of School addressed the audience, reinforcing the school’s commitment to sustainability and encouraging everyone present to continue adopting sustainable practices, both at school and at home. He continued by commending the students and their educators for their work throughout the year.
The reflective atmosphere continued with a heartfelt prayer and a poem by reminding all attendees of the beauty of our planet and the importance of protecting it for future generations. This was followed by a musical interlude, featuring the iconic Earth Day song, which added a moment of harmony and inspiration to the celebration.
Ms Audrey Gauci, YRE coordinator and our school’s EkoSkola link teacher, delivered a meaningful message highlighting ongoing environmental initiatives within the school and the importance of collective action in addressing global environmental challenges. Ms Audrey then announced this year’s YRE winner for Best Entry Article (11-14 years), Lea Cassar. Lea was then invited to explain how she came about to write the article.
This was followed by a message by Ms Rose Piccinino, Paola Councillor for Education who passed on her message.
Students then took centre stage again with an engaging music and movement session, showcasing their enthusiasm and creativity while reinforcing the day’s environmental theme.
Towards the end of the first part of the celebration, guests were invited to explore and admire the students’ work displayed in the hall.
The celebration continued with interactive and hands-on activities, where different year groups participated in themed stations:
• Pregrade and Grade 1 enjoyed playing recycled games, learning through fun and play. The games were prepared by the EkoSkola Committee members.
• Grades 2 and 3 took part in an origami workshop using recycled materials, blending creativity with sustainability, hosted by Mr Kyle Schembri in the school yard, engaging students in outdoor learning.
• Grades 4 and 6, guided by Ms Bernice Buttigieg, participated in an art workshop in the yard, expressing environmental themes through art.
• Grade 5 explored “Plastic in the Ocean” through a presentation and class activity, raising awareness about marine pollution.
• Senior 1 and Senior 2 students delved into important discussions on the circular economy and financial literacy, linking sustainability with real-world concepts.
This year’s Earth Day celebration was a true reflection of the school’s dedication to environmental education. Through collaboration, creativity, and active participation, students were empowered to become responsible global citizens committed to protecting our planet.
Special thanks to Ms Madeleine Agius Carbonaro, Ms Ruth Mansueto, Mr Karl Mizzi and Ms Cristina Spiteri, EkoSkola link teachers, who coordinated the event. Thanks also goes to Ms Mary Grace Grech, Musica and Library teacher, who coordinated the music interludes.
Together, we can make a difference—every action counts.
