(The contents of this page and the following four pages are based on a research done by Mr Michael Balzia. They are being reproduced with his kind permission.
The 'previous years' photos were provided by Mr Arthur Grima.
Our sincere thanks go to these two gentlemen.)

Birzebbuga Primary School - 1916/1939

Up until 1916, children living in Birzebbuga had to attend either Ghaxaq or Zejtun School for their Primary Education, as no school had as yet been opened in this village. The first Mixed Primary School was officially opened on Sunday, 12^th March 1916 upon the initiative and insistence of the first Parish Priest of Birzebbuga, Rev. Fr. Karm Bugelli. He also offered the premises, free of rent, for three years, till a more appropriate building was found.

At about 10.00, the Director of Elementary Schools Mr John Reynolds and Mrs Reynolds, together with School Inspector Mr Vincenzo Busuttil and Rev. Fr. Karm Bugelli, made their way from the Parish Church to the building in Zurrieq Road which was to house the new school. (The building has, since then, been demolished so that St. John Street would cross Zurrieq Road.)

 

School Inspector Ms Marietta Busuttil and the first Head of School Ms Maddalena Vassallo were there to welcome them. After the blessing of the school and the official opening, the whole delegation returned to the Parish Church (then dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows and now housing the boys' MUSEUM Section in Church Street) for refreshments. By 18^th March 1916, 36 boys and 28 girls were already admitted to the new school.

The school was made up of the Infant and Primary sections. During the first scholastic year, the school population amounted to 27 boys and 17 girls in the Infant Section and 27 boys and as many girls in the Primary Section. By the end of 1938 the number of children attending the school had risen to 146 boys and 124 girls in the Infant classes and 124 boys and 93 girls in the Primary classes.

Because of this rise in population, the first school had, by 1928, become too small to house everyone. So, on 26^th June 1928 the Government took newly built premises in lease for 45 years. The owner of the premises - the then City of London Hotel - was Mr Antonio Zebra Scicluna and the Government Notary was Mr Calcedonio Gatt. This second school, comprising 6 classes and situated at 114, Pretty Bay (where the Sea Breeze Hotel stands today), started to be referred to as 'the school down the bay'.

 

During this period, the Heads of School were as follows:

• Ms Maddalena Vassallo (1916-1920)
• Mr Giuseppe Agius (1920-1922)
• Mr Alfredo Bonnici (1922-30)
• Ms Veneranda Baldacchino (1930-32)

The first teacher from Birzebbuga who taught in the Primary School between 1929-1933 was Ms Giuseppa Zammit.

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