Arts and inclusivity; school project on bullying a lesson for everyone

Joanna Demarco

My conversation with Hermann Farrugia Frantz and Charles Busuttil took place in the middle of rehearsals, in a spacious hall with a scarlet curtain in front of us and dozens of children, dressed in blue, scurrying around the room, watching the stage, practicing their lines or adjusting their instruments. The background sound to our conversation was sometimes a script, or a song – being run through line-by-line, or an eruption of instruments, as the children practiced their music to try and get the score right.

The project is created by a number of teachers and approximately 150 11 to 12-yearold students of Saint Theresa College in Ta’ Paris. The show has become an annual event that encourages teamwork, inclusivity and life lessons for everyone involved. “The children miss a few days of lessons for rehearsals, but the benefits that come out of this project are something much bigger,” Charles told me, as we sat facing the stage, watching the run-through.

The show this year, a musical concert entitled Trid Titkellem ( You Need to Talk) tackles the theme of bullying – specifically cyberbullying through the use of Whatsapp and other social networks, as well as the dissemination of pictures; it is a topic that perhaps needs to be given more thought and discussion in today’s society.

After discussions, the team decided that the topic of bullying should be chosen as it is “relevant in today’s world, and the children need to be made more aware of it”. Hermann also emphasised the importance that “the students are more aware of bullying, as well as how to tackle such issues”. The script is written by the school’s music teacher, Hermann, whilst he and Charles work on the songs together.

‘Inclusivity’ is perhaps the keyword to the whole project. The show is open to any child in Form 1 who wants to take part, and is an exciting exercise in teamwork and a chance for the children to familiarise themselves with everyone, from different backgrounds, abilities and countries, whilst also getting to know their teachers better. “Everyone is taking part: it is a nice community feel,” Charles said. “There is no choice, you have to work in a group, and this inclusiveness is the best thing about it.”

As part of the performance, a child can sing, dance, act or play an instrument. Charles, who apart from being a science teacher and librarian is also part of teaching children within the Core Curriculum Programme (CCP), emphasises the importance of this integration for CCP students. The CCP is made up of a group of children who have learning disabilities or are diagnosed with a mental disorder. “We try to integrate all the students who may otherwise feel left out,” he said.

Charles brought my attention to a girl sitting near the stage. “She is non-verbal, does not speak to anyone and has a communication barrier”, he says, “yet she is singing in the show as part of the choir.” Pointing to the percussion area, he proudly mentions how many CCP students are playing in the orchestra and beams at how nice it is to see children with autism being so precise and “keeping the beat to perfection.”

When asked in what other ways the children benefit from the whole project, the organisers explain that the moral of the story is a very important factor. The story shows the protagonist, Francesca, overcoming hurdles linked with cyberbullying, and it ends on a positive, uplifting note. “They get to learn the moral of the story because they participate and learn the show by heart,” Charles said.

Members of the public are invited to see Trid Titkellem on Thursday, 11 May, at the school at 5.30pm.