St Elias College

Saint Elias College is a school in Santa Venera, a central town close to Valletta, Msida and Ħamrun. It has been run by the Carmelites in Malta for more than 80 years, and it combines academic study with the life of Catholic faith. Visitors and new residents often pass through Santa Venera on the way between the airport, Valletta and the north, so the school is easy to reach by road from many parts of the island, although families should check travel times at the hours they would use. The school's website is written mainly in Maltese, which is worth knowing if your family is considering it. It is listed in our directory of international schools in Malta.

Mission and values

The mission is to build a learning community in which academic success and the experience of faith go hand in hand. Every student is recognised as a unique child of God, and in a family atmosphere the school helps each person to grow fully, including in a personal relationship with Jesus. The aim is a complete education that embraces the values of Jesus and the Gospel.

It is a small school with a big heart, offering a lively community and a range of activities. The school's website also has pages on the school's history, the prophet Elijah, its administration, the student council and the EkoSkola programme.

Pastoral care

Pastoral care is organised through weekly sessions on human and Christian life. After school, a group called Connect gives older pupils a place to meet. A chaplaincy space is among the school's facilities, and the school has a chapel. Families who are not Catholic should ask how faith features in the school day before applying, so that expectations are clear on both sides. The school can explain how the weekly sessions and the chapel fit into a normal week.

Facilities

The school's buildings have been developed over the years to give a welcoming, comfortable setting for learning. Every classroom is air-conditioned and fitted with an interactive smart panel. The facilities listed include a hall, classrooms, two computer laboratories, a biology laboratory, a home economics laboratory, a library, courtyards, a chapel, a games room, a chaplaincy space, a roof garden, a first aid room, a multimedia room and a gym.

The photographs on this page show several of these rooms, as well as pupils on outings, at a sports tournament and baking in the home economics room.

What to ask the school

The school's website is brief on admissions, so it is worth sending a few questions with your enquiry. Ask which year groups it teaches, whether places are open for your child's age, what the school day and calendar look like, whether English-language support is available and how the pastoral programme works for pupils from other backgrounds. You may also want to ask about uniform, transport and the cost of the school year, as none of these are listed in the captured text of the website.

The school also holds reunion events for former students, which shows how long-standing the community is, and families can ask the school how its alumni and parents stay involved in school life.

Planning a move and getting in touch

If you are moving from the UK, our guide to relocating to Malta explains the practical steps, and our Malta tax guide for UK nationals covers the money side. Santa Venera is central, so the capital is close, and our Valletta guide and things to do in Malta page help with weekends. Children's party and activity ideas are listed under Afterglow Events, and our about Malta overview gives background on the islands, and the Malta weather guide explains the seasons.

To ask about admissions, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Saint Elias College.