In order to commemorate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, protector of animals and to further instill the importance of animal welfare in its children, the San Anton School Junior sector recently organized a Spellathon in aid of the S.P.C.A.

Grade 1 and 2 students were asked to draw animal pictures, whilst the Grade 3 to 7 students had to spell animal names correctly and get sponsors for their effort.

Through the generosity of their families, the students collected the princely sum of LM635/EUR1479 which was recently presented by the children to Barbara Cassar Torregiani – President of the SPCA, Lara Refalo the SPCA`S Administration Manager and Gemma , a Maltese hunting dog, during their morning assembly.

“ It is important that our children develop a broad view of the outside world and we aim to inspire respect for animals and educate our children about the responsibility that we have towards these animals ” commented Rosanne Demanuele – Asst. Head Junior Sector

After the presentation, Lara Refalo from the Association spoke to the attentive children on general animal welfare, pet care and relayed the story of Gemma who was abandoned by her owners after she was run over, and till this day cannot make full use of her legs due to previous neglect.

San Anton School at L-Imselliet, is an independent, co-educational, mixed ability school, catering for the education of over 900 students aged 3 to 16, from Kindergarten right through to Secondary level.