Just as we were winding down from the Christmas and New Year celebrations, February came along and brought with it more festivities.
We had our first bridge holiday on the 9th February as we celebrated the Feast of St. Paul’s shipwreck on Tuesday 10th February. Why do the Maltese celebrate this day? Scholars say that Paul, the Apostle was shipwrecked on the island around AD 60, while he was being transported to Rome as a prisoner. Paul’s ship was caught in a violent storm in the Mediterranean and after approximately two weeks adrift, the vessel ran aground on Malta, where Paul and other survivors remained for about three months. During this time, Paul converted the pagan Maltese to Catholicism. Today, St Paul is recognised as the Patron Saint of Malta. In addition to the national feast celebrated in his honour, both the village of St Paul’s Bay and St Paul’s Islands are named after him, reflecting his enduring significance in Maltese history and tradition.
February is also synonymous with love. The lead up to the 14th February is characterised by hearts, chocolates, imagery of Cupid and his arrow – all symbols of love. While the traditional idea of Valentine’s Day is to celebrate couples, we have seen a modern twist to this day – Galentine’s – where friends celebrate their love for each other. For, if we think about it, love is not just for couples – it comes in many forms and should be celebrated equally. However, you don’t have to be in love to celebrate the 14th February because St Valentine is also the patron saint of those who experience mental health challenges. The day can therefore also serve as a meaningful reminder to extend care and compassion not only to others, but to yourself as well.
Carnival also came with a bang and kicked off on Valentine’s Day, until Tuesday 17th February. The capital city was adorned in the brightest colours one can imagine. Carnival-goers braved the windy weather (which has been a permanent presence this month) and enjoyed the dancing and vibrancy that this weekend brings with it. We hope that those of you who are in Malta took some time to join the fun! There might have been some more adventurous students who took to the Nadur carnival which is a more daring take on Carnival - featuring lots of political satire in the costumes chosen! Either way, we hope that the island has managed to transmit its fantastically - bright vibes!
Throughout these celebrations, our January cohort has been busy settling into their lectures and into their new life as students in Malta. Their curiosity and thirst for knowledge have been palpable throughout the school.
We are excited to see them shine in the coming months!
To more memories and milestones!
Ascencia Team
Student Spotlight - Joaquim Baptista
This month we are shining the spotlight on one of our students who has travelled all the way from Angola to improve his English – Joaquim.
Joaquim is here with two of his colleagues, following a three-month General English course. His teacher Francesca had nothing but words of praise for him as a student, describing him as ‘punctual, highly attentive throughout the whole lesson and consistently motivated’. These are top-of-the-range ingredients for the ideal student recipe. Joaquim actively participates in the class discussions but above all, he is also very supportive of his classmates, always ready to step in to help.
So, let’s all take example from Joaquim – a supportive class environment is a joint effort between the teachers and the students. This makes learning more collaborative and fun!
Well done, Joaquim, for setting the right example – we wish you all the best in this academic journey!
Staff Spotlight - Thanya Tammarak
One of the first smiles to greet you when you walk into school is that of Thanya. Hailing all the way from Thailand, Thanya’s calm demeanour guides students through one of the most gruelling processes they have to face – obtaining or renewing their Temporary Residence Permit. Thanya has been in Malta for quite some time, and having braved the visa system herself, she now uses the knowledge she gained, to help the students navigate the documents set by Identita’.
She is also pretty tech-savvy, so when she is not busy answering student at the front desk, you will find her coming up with a new format in which to present information students are required to know, or preparing the timetable projections, making life easier for the students.
Among colleagues, Thanya is known to be steadfast and tenacious. She is linguistically – gifted: speaking English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog as well as her mother-tongue, Thai. Her quirky food choices of boiled vegetables at 9am also make her all that extra special😊
We are so happy to call you a teammate, dear Thanya! Thank you for your sterling work and the passion you bring to Ascencia Malta!
It is with great pleasure that Ascencia Malta would like to introduce the first Student Council. Joseph Akintola, Gabriel Okoronkwo, Miniar Mediouni and Lokesh Bisht were elected by the students, to be their representatives. Their aim is to bridge the gap between the student body and the institution, while building and strengthening the student community and culture. We look forward to working with the Student Council in the coming year.
World Day of Social Justice, 20th February
On 20th February, Ascencia Malta proudly hosted a special event to mark the World Day of Social Justice, featuring Jason Deguara – General Workers’ Union President. It was an inspiring and impactful occasion, where our students engaged in meaningful discussions on equality, inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunities for all. We sincerely thank Jason Deguara for his availability, leadership, and valuable insights, which made this event truly memorable for everyone involved. The event reinforced our commitment to social justice and student empowerment, reminding us that awareness grows through dialogue and becomes action through engagement.
📍 Ascencia Malta – Floriana
#SocialJustice #StudentImpact #AscenciaMalta #Leadership #Community
Effective learning is not about how long students study, but how strategically they use their time. Developing strong study habits early builds confidence, reduces stress, and leads to deeper understanding. Small, consistent actions often have the greatest impact on long-term success. This month, we are sharing a simple yet powerful strategy that students can implement immediately to strengthen retention and make their learning more sustainable.
The “2-Day Review Rule ”
One of the most powerful ways to strengthen understanding is simple: review new learning within 48 hours.
After a lesson, take 10–15 minutes within the next two days to:
Summarise key ideas in your own words - Write three questions you could be asked about the topic
- Complete two practice problems without notes
- Teach the concept aloud as if explaining it to someone else
This small habit significantly improves long-term retention and reduces last-minute revision stress. Learning isn’t about re-reading — it’s about retrieving.
Consistency beats cramming. A short review today saves hours later!
