In October 1952, I started attending St Emilie de Vialar School in Rabat, which was administered by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition. Our uniform consisted of a navy blue blazer with the school badge, shorts, a white shirt, a small blue tie, black shoes and grey socks. A blue pinafore was obligatory to keep our daily clothes clean. I would complete my primary education there by July 1955.
The author with his sister Vivianne at St Dominic Square, Rabat, near St Emilie de Vialar boarding school, in October 1952.
The following is a list of the sisters at the primary school and their subject areas or duties. They were all Maltese except where otherwise stated: Sister-in-charge: Rev Mother Pace; English: Senior sister Marie de Lourdes and Sr Richard (from Manchester, UK); Religion: Sr Winifred Anastasi; arithmetic and discipline: Sr Emilie Mamo; geography: Sr John Mark (from Ireland); dormitories: Sr Albin (from Ireland) and Sr Mary Magdalene; Pantry/kitchen: Sr Wilfred (from