While approaching the school from St. Andrew Street with its iron gate and high plastered walls, one may think of it as a completely unassuming public building. However, on a closer look inside, one immediately notices the majestic space within.
A modernist U-shaped structure with rows of concrete columns supporting long open air corridors connected through beautifully designed stairways, the school’s design is better appreciated when bathed with the sunlight or at night during a full moon. Beautiful shadows are created through the open, roofless spaces between classes while a sense of order and grand scale is achieved through the repetition of forms and textures. The solitary building on the far right-hand side, originally intended as a workshop and later used as a gym, adds to the minimalistic and modernist concept of asymmetric structures that remind one of Bauhaus and Le Corbusier’s ideology. Also on the right, a huge garden balances the built structures, while in the middle, a large playground has hosted the students’ playful breaks since the school’s inauguration in 1958. The ground also serves the Żebbuġ Rovers F.C., the local football club which was founded in 1975.
A New School
Before 1958, school classes in Żebbuġ were held in separate rented houses in Dun Franġisk Vella Street (formerly Point Street) and in Għajn Mhelhel Street. Designed by the great Maltese architect, civil engineer and urban planner Joseph Huntingford (1926-1994), the new school -originally named The Government Primary Mixed School Żebbuġ – was built by the renowned master-mason Victor Vella.
The school was inaugurated on the 6th April 1958 by the then Minister of Education Ms. Agatha Barbara. The school was blessed by parish priest Rev. Francis Mercieca. The first headmaster was Francis Scicluna.
A drawing in a private collection, originally owned by Żebbuġ-born pioneering female educator and education officer Maria Antonia Vella refers to the Żebbuġ school as being inspired from “modern Brazilian architecture”. In fact Huntingford’s design, with the use of reinforced concrete, shows great affinity with the work of the great Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer (1907-2012), especially the Brazilian Pavilion for the 1939 World Fair in New York.
The Żebbuġ school enjoys mesmerising countryside views from its back balconies overlooking the playing field area, originally known as Is-Sies t’Abram or Abraham’s cliff. These views include Xwejni, Qbajjar and Marsalforn bays and the flat-top hills of Kuljat and Dabrani. A typical textbook example of the architect’s oeuvre, the Żebbuġ school fully respects the skyline of the village.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Huntingford has transformed the Gozitan landscape through his white-washed buildings, which are now largely scheduled buildings. Some of his most important projects in Gozo include the milk factory at Mġarr Road now renamed as The Gozo Innovation Hub, the Gozo Museum – the former Gozo Lyceum and the Qala primary school, which is considered as the architect’s best project in Gozo. His designs for Gozitan schools managed to break with the prison-like structures that were typical of late 19th century school architecture in Malta.
The 1950s were exciting times for architecture in Malta as the country was was being rebuilt after the devastation of World War II. A garguantual structure, with a northern wall welcoming visitors with a majestic colourful geometric mosaic – which is now lost – was a rather welcoming project to the little Baroque village of Żebbuġ. The school was surely a great statement forthat time and its importance as the main provider of formal education in the village, still persists to our days. The school was the first educational beacon for several children who succeed in various disciplines including education, law, medicine, art, commerce and several other areas. Two of the most notable old boys of the school are the Cefai brothers, Professor Carmel Cefai B.Ed.(Hons), M.Sc.(Stir.), M.Ed.(Wales), Ph.D (.Lond.), Dip.Ed.G.&C., C.Psychol, F.B.Ps.S u H.E. Bishop Giovanni Cefai M.S.S.P.
Within the school one also finds the Żebbuġ Branch Library (founded in 1935), run and recently renovated by the Żebbuġ Local Council and in its basement one finds the Żebbuġ Rovers Football Club which also includes a fully-fledged restaurant.
Apart from a long row of classes – each one with ensuite rest room and individual balcony – the school houses several offices, a huge assembly hall with a stage, a gym and the Museum of Educational History.
Museum of Educational History
The museum was set up during the headmastership of Mr. Vincent Said. It contains all antique objects that had been preserved from the schools that existed in Żebbuġ before the construction of the current school together with several teaching aids that were used in the current school.
Among the exhibits one finds the set-up of a Victorian classroom complete with wooden benches, blackboards and teaching aids. Apart from several books, tools and documents, the museum contains plaster busts of British monarchs including two signed copies of the portrait of King George V by renowned Maltese sculptor Vincent Apap (1909-2003). Such busts would originally highlight Malta’s British rule in public buildings during the British era (1800-1964).
Conclusion
Żebbuġ Primary School is named after Mgr. Gian Andrea Vella (1899 – 1990), a local priest and historian who, for the first time, wrote and published the history of Żebbuġ in a series of pamphlets.
Although Żebbuġ Primary School is in a dire need for restoration, it stands nearly intact waiting for some enlightened decision-maker to restore it and preserve it for posterity.
For more information one can reach the office of the Head of School on (+356) 21551522 or email [email protected]
Research: Mario Cassar
Copyright: Soċjeta’ Banda Santa Marija and Żebbuġ Gozo Local Council
Photo credits: Mario Cassar
