Log for Friday, 15th April 2005

5th Invitational Writing Institute held at NCC Hamrun

by Monica Abela Medici

The log we’ve been keeping during the programme has reminded me of Captain Kirk and
the diary he kept aboard the Enterprise. For most of us these two weeks have been a voyage
of discovery and although physically we stayed put, our imaginations certainly took us far!
Dare I say as far as the stars?

Last day of the programme and I’m keeping today’s log, not altogether a pleasant task
since this means that the fortnight together has come to an end. We all have mixed feelings
about this day because we miss our students and workmates and long to see them, on the
other hand we have made new friends and forged bonds that we are reluctant to relinquish.

We started the day as usual at 8.30a.m.when we welcomed Ms.Cini, Assistant Head of

Tarxien Primary School. Then Janet Farrugia read out the previous day’s log. This was
followed by the Journal where we had to give our impressions of the programme now that
we were at the end and compare it to what we thought when we started out.

We moved on to the lesson presentations, the first of which was an English lesson proposed
by Miriam Abdilla, Hetti Galea Musu’, and Maria Pace Aquilina. The second presentation
by Marcelle Degiorgio and Cynthia Gafa’ was a story building project for primary school
children. We then split up in our usual feedback groups for the PQP session on the
presentations we had just seen and participated in.

After a short break we regrouped and were given a brief outline of the activities for the
latter part of the day. Then we listened to the teachers’ reflections on feedback given to
them for the previous day’s presentations. These were followed by book reviews; Joanne
reviewed Chapter 5 ‘Because Writing Matters’ tackling the standards and assessment for
writing. The second review ‘Because Writing Matters’ Chapter 4, focused on professional
development.
We then proceeded to another set of reflections on feedback, this time we heard the
teachers who had given their presentations earlier today.

At this time we were all feeling rushed off our feet since we had to cram everything in the
short space of time we had left and we all needed a breather. We wanted to unwind and so
the next activity was indeed welcome, it was time to read each others’ work. We were told
to clear our tables of everything except our portfolios; we were then given a sheet of paper
on which we had to write a short introduction to our writings. A second sheet was attached
for readers to write down words of praise about the work read.
Silence pervaded the room, soft background music was like a balm, soothing frayed nerves
and emotions, the whisper of pages turning as we read. This proved to be quite an
emotional exercise; smiles, tears, and a rare insight in each other’s innermost thoughts. We
all felt privileged.

The last item before closure was presented by Sandro who urged us to put into practice
what we had learned during the programme and not to put the past two weeks in a
parenthesis, to be treated as a pleasant interlude and no more. He offered us concrete and
down to earth help to promote writing skills and strategies, should we need it when we
went back to our classrooms. We were also asked to give feedback so that the programme
could be bettered.

At about 1 o’clock our guests and representatives from the Education Division, who had
joined us during a short break, followed us in for the last session.
The closure session began with an introduction by Sandro. He gave a brief description of
the work done during the writing programme and proposed to all those present to join us in
a sample exercise prepared by Maria. She proposed a short piece of writing known to us as
the Journal. She asked us, the course participants, to write to a teacher we know
encouraging her/him to participate in a forthcoming writing programme. The guests were
to write outlining what they expected of us after having attended this course.
Sandro then demonstrated the Popcorn Method of eliciting a response to questions, by
asking us about techniques learned in the programme. When we answered we stood up to
mimic the popping up of ideas and hence demonstrate the popcorn method.

Stephen then introduced the first group of course participants who read out excerpts of their
work.

Sandro explained the importance of this writing programme; for the teachers a chance to
develop both personally and professionally and for the tutors themselves since it was the
first time that this workshop was conducted entirely by Maltese staff. Previous programmes
had been led by American tutors. He went on to say that he had noted expressions on our
faces which reflected thoughts and emotions he had experienced when doing the course
himself. This encouraged him and the other tutors to think that they were on the right track.
He concluded by urging us to keep on writing and to join the Writers’ Circle, while
promising us all the help and support we need.

A second group of writers presented their work; at this time a poem was sung by all to the
tune of a traditional Maltese ditty.

Nora Macelli, the Centre’s Chief Executive Officer, praised the Anthology and the hard
work and commitment we had shown during the programme. Then she went on to read
some of her work. She also said that she hopes to work with us at the Writers’ Circle.
The last set of readings was then presented.

Mr. R. Camilleri, a director with the Education Division, started a short speech by thanking
everyone involved in the programme. He pointed out that the programme probably made us
teachers realise how difficult it is to write, and that our students often find it daunting.
After having attended this course we would now have learned how to make it easier for
them to write by offering more prompts and strategies to enhance writing skills. Finally he
appealed to us to continue perfecting ourselves so as to be able to be better teachers.

Mr. Camilleri then proceeded by awarding the Certificates to the course participants.

A reception was afterwards held in the centre’s foyer; this gave us time to mingle and talk
to our colleagues.
All too soon it was time to say goodbye with promises of meeting up or at least phoning or
texting each other. I’m sure we won’t ignore the lure writing has for us and that is what
will ultimately bring us back together.