History of our School

It was in 1869 that some form of primary schooling started at the village of Ghaxaq.  Before that year, pupils from Ghaxaq used to go to Gudja for their daily learning.  In fact, it is recorded that Mr Ruggier Dimech was the first Headteacher for boys, while Ms Saveria Dimech was appointed Headmistress for the girls.  In all, it is recorded that there were 96 pupils attending the first Primary School at Ghaxaq.
 

During the financial year 1919-1920, the Colonial Government started implementing a drive for building schools and Ghaxaq was earmarked to be one of them.   The present Primary School dates to that period and in fact the actual school was inaugurated on 25^th May 1924.  The school population during that year consisted of 91 pupils and 45 infants.  It may be of interest to know that during the foundation works for the building of a new school, an archaeological discovery was registered which consisted of a punic tomb which was used for burials also during the Roman colonisation of Malta.

Ghaxaq Primary School served for other purposes during the Second World War where one would find the Regional Protection Office and the Air Raid Precaution Office (ARP) housed within the school premises.  The school served also as a hospital for emergency cases during the war.  In June 1940, the Malta Volunteer Defence Force started making use of the school as its headquarters and military training and exercises were held in the school yard.
 

When the Second World War came to an end, the school moved to a new page of its history.  It was on February 22, 1946, that the school was dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Throughout the following years, the school became the centre of learning and teaching to the pupils of Ghaxaq village.  The 60’s and 70’s were golden years for the school football team.  Glorious were those moments when our school football players finished as section winners on a good number of occasions.  Great thanks go to Mr Edward Buttigieg, an ex-teacher at Ghaxaq Primary who trained our pupils and coached them to their victories.  
 

The school was dedicated to Filippo Castagna on the 28th of May, 1999.  Filippo Castagna was born at our village in 1765.  But his remembrance is still with us as during his career he served as one of the Maltese leaders during the insurrection of the Maltese against the French occupation of the island in 1798.  Later, he was nominated as governor for Gozo during the British rule. 

Today the school forms part of St Benedict College.  Therefore it's name is: St Benedict College Ghaxaq Primary School.
 

During the last decade, a new school hall was erected at the back garden and it serves good for various activities, amongst which one can mention the daily morning assembly. Today, the school population amounts to 300 pupils ranging from the Kindergarten classes up to Year 6.  The school staff consists of the School Management Team comprising the Head and two Assistant Heads, thirteen teachers, five kindergarten assistants, eight LSA's, two part-time clerks, three full-time general hands and two part-time caretakers.