The Educators at St Benild School used the Lasallian Leavening Fund to develop two separate projects.

The first initiative saw the school print large posters of our Positive Behaviour Policy visuals, which was launched during the scholastic year 2024/2025.

This policy was previously drawn up by educators during their Teachers’ meetings days before to the commencement of the new scholastic year. Most importantly, the educators chose to use the Lasallian five core principles as a basis for such policy.

Secondly, the other project aimed at developing an integral ecological commitment amongst young students by growing their own crops. In return, the produce (crops) was then used for cooking in the last week of term (June 2025) and some left over crops were donated to the Brother’s Community and people living in the neighbourhood.

Reinforcing our Positive Behaviour Policy through Posters

Following the introduction of the new child friendly behaviour policy at St Benild School in the first term, educators felt the need to remind pupils about the Lasallian five core principles through two school assemblies led by the Deputy Head, Ms Claudia Vella.

Our pictorial behaviour policy revolves around practical actions which give flesh to the core principles as lived in our daily lives at school. Boys came up with their own examples for every poster. It was also fun to recognise the pupils photographed in the posters, who were subsequently called out. What better way to relate to our policy? Pictures speak a million words!

In cases of wrongdoing, the children were referred to the particular poster. For example, when one of our pupils intentionally broke a piece of Physical Education equipment during a lesson, he was asked to look for the poster which  depicted  the  correct  behaviour.  Moreover,  at  home,  he  was encouraged to find that same poster on the ‘Positive Behaviour Policy booklet which was printed per child. In agreement with the parents, the child contributed a minimal amount of money from his money box to ‘repay’ the broken sports item.

Agricultural Project on the School Roof

The community at St. Benild School, which is based in a very urbanised location in Malta, has grown various fruit and vegetables on its school roof. Each of the six classes was responsible for four planters per class, and as a result, seedlings of cherry tomatoes, aubergines, red cabbage, sweet peppers, melon and watermelon have been sown in 24 planters in March 2025.

This project was carried out in collaboration with a local organisation Let's Talk Farming Programme, which provided expertise on the agricultural aspect, along the way. 

The children, accompanied by their educators were daily involved in checking on the 'welfare' of their cherished crops.

We also had the opportunity of 'showing off' our 'produce in the making' to Br David Mizzi and Br Mario Zammit who visited our school for the Easter performances. We also had the honour of sharing this project and its development with Br Armin Luistro, our Superior General in April and with Br Enrico Muller and Br Jesuraj Kulandai who were invited to contribute during the Culture of Vocations Week in May.

The season of spring was truly a season of growth and blooming for all at St. Benild School, with great anticipation experienced by students and educators alike. In June, they reaped the harvest from this Lasallian Leavening Fund project and prepared healthy dishes using the produce. Food never tasted as good! 

Growing this variety of fruit and vegetables has been no easy feat. It has taken a lot of tender loving care and attention from all in various ways. Regular watering was key. 

The pupils’ enthusiasm and participation in this process was remarkable. The project involved often having to spray homemade pesticide, adding fertiliser, delicately cutting dead leaves and checking continually on the growth of the crops. The children learnt about waste separation, and about the importance of using recycled material such as jerrycans as watering cans. While observing the process of crops growing, the children had the opportunity to observe pollinating insects and also to rescue insects that were not beneficial to our crops.

This has been an authentic learning experience, a real agricultural adventure and one of the most exciting projects the school has ever embarked on. The sense of satisfaction felt when using and enjoying one's own produce is hard to explain in words! Just have a look at our faces in the photos.