RNS Tal-Handaq Green Gallery

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Why not share your memories of the old school? Just use the COMMENT option under the relevant photo to record your memories. Click the title of any of the thumbnails (below) to read the comments that others have left relating to that image.

Paul Attard, Marc Spiteri and Bruce Williams - School Hall 2005

Tal Handaq

The photo was taken in the school hall on a visit to Liceo Vassalli in July 2005.

Left to right: Paul Attard (Head of School), Marc Spiteri (English and Drama) and Bruce Williams (ex RNS Tal Handaq pupil).

My gratitude to both Paul and Marc for the warmth of their welcome. A special thank you to Paul for allowing me the freedom to explore and photograph his school and to Marc for his friendship and for giving me so much of his time.

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School Hall and Library

Tal-Ħandaq

View of the School Hall and Library.

The plaque on the side of the library wall is of course from the time of Liceo M.A. Vassalli. It shows the head of the great Maltese writer and poet Dun Karm Psaila (1871 - 1961). Dun Karm was known as the "Bard of Malta" and the library had been named in his honour.

Dun Karm also wrote the words of the Maltese National Anthem
"L-Innu Malti" to music composed by Robert Samut.

Music and Lyrics HERE.

School Hall Porch

Tal-Ħandaq

In the main entrance to the School Hall. We've all walked over this design a hundred times - I wonder how many of us actually noticed it? There is another not so well known version of this design at the school located at the side of the Admin building (take a look in the Blue Gallery).

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Inside School Hall - looking back towards entrance

Tal Handaq

Photo taken in 2005 standing by side door looking back towards the entrance.

I'd asked for information about the balcony and Hugh Richie (Head of Chemistry 1972-78) left a comment saying:

"From 1972-1978, the balcony was used as the control centre for the stage lighting - from there you could see what you were lighting on the stage. Mr Brian Leonard (woodwork teacher) was in charge of it.".

Based on Hugh's comments I think it likely that it was always used to manage the stage lighting. Bruce

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Close-up on School Hall Balcony

Tal Handaq

*See comments for previous image.

Interior of School Hall 2004 - From Main Entrance

Tal Handaq

First visit back to the school - I found entering the School Hall an almost overwhelming nostalgic experience. Just so many memories....

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Interior View of the School Hall

Tal-Handaq

Photo taken by Tal Handaq ex pupil Russ Holme on a visit back to the school in November 2010.

At that time demolition of the old school buildings was in progress and building work on the new school was underway.

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Inside School Hall - 2005

Tal Handaq

Photo taken during the Liceo Vassalli summer break, 2005.

I think there had been or there was about to be a meeting with parents of prospective 1st year entrants for the coming school year.

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School Hall - View Backstage

Tal Handaq

An unusual view behind the School Hall stage curtains. This photo was taken by Ross Holme on a visit back to the school in November 2010.

May trigger some memories for any backstage worker on one or more of the school plays.

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Backstage - Tal-Handaq School Hall

Photo taken summer 2005.

My only memory of this area of the hall was doing confirmation classes in my first year (1CG). Four or five PT benches were set out (running length-ways to the hall) almost immediately in front of where I was standing to take this photo. The teacher taking the class stood with his back to where the leaning board is in this photo. The actual confirmation service took place in St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta.

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School Hall - Front

Tal-Ħandaq

No need for a lengthy description here. Memories of morning assembly - the headmaster's daily pep talk, singing hymns , school plays, speeches (always resulting in extra half days holiday) and for the more confident pupil - dancing!

As always click thumbnail to view a larger image.

Hall, Changing Rooms and Gym from Admin Building

Tal-Ħandaq

photo taken from the top of the steps between the Admin Building and Block-10.

Changing Rooms - Good View From The Back

Tal Handaq

Interesting side-on view of the changing rooms including the path between the hall and the changing rooms.

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South-side Doors to School Hall

Tal Handaq

The corner of Block 15 is to our left and the end of Block 16 is ahead on the right.

Wide angle view of the two south side entrances to the Assembly Hall

Tal Handaq

Taken from the corner of Block-15. The building just visible at left is the girls' toilet block and the building just visible at right is Block-16 (includes library).

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Side Entrance To School Hall

Was the "NO THROUGHWAY" sign there in the RNS Tal Handaq era - anyone remember it?

The building just visible on the right is Block-16.

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Gym from side of netball/basketball court

Tal Handaq

View of gymnasium from planted area alongside of the netball court.

Changing Rooms

Tal Handaq

Side view of changing rooms.

Entrance to Changing Rooms

Tal Handaq

Both photos show the same location between the changing rooms (R) and the gym (L). The left photo was taken by Marc Spiteri in May 2005 and the other photo was taken by Bruce Williams in March 2006. In the right hand photo Block-10 is visible in the distance.

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Inside View of Changing Rooms

Tal-Handaq

Unfortunately I couldn't get into the changing rooms so had to make do with a shot through the window. There were kids around and I just hoped the room would be empty and no one would see me and wonder what the heck I was doing taking photos through the changing room window.

I don't remember if this was the boy's or the girls changing room during the Royal Naval School period - but it was very familiar.

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Gymnasium from the road

Tal-Handaq

Looking more or less south-west with the gym on my right and blocks 9 and 10 visible on the left.

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The Gym - North Side

Tal Handaq

Side view of the gym with the school hall and admin building visible in the background.

Side-doors of Gym

Tal Handaq

Taken from the path between blocks 8 and 9 (Block 8 is behind me). The vaulting horse is just visible inside the gym (well. if you know it's there).

The north side of the school hall is behind the gym with the top of Block 16 visible behind the hall.

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Tal Handaq School Hall - North Side

Tal-Handaq

View along the north side of the School Hall. The library in Block 16 is also visible as is the end of the changing rooms on the right.

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End View Of Gym And Changing Rooms

Tal-Ħandaq

Taken standing by the entrance to the Admin building. The little building at far right is the electricity hub station.

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Changing Rooms

Tal-Ħandaq

Passage between the School Hall and the Changing Rooms. This is similar to another photo in this gallery however the other photo was angled to favour the School Hall.

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Inside the Gymnasium - 2005

Tal Handaq

Photograph taken by Marc Spiteri in May 2005.

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Inside of the Gym

Tal Handaq

Inside of gymnasium. This is one of the buildings that survives to the present day.

Photo: Marc Spiteri, 2005
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Road leading to Block 7

Tal-Ħandaq

The gym is on our left with Block 17 behind it. Block 7 is just visible at the end of the road on the right.

I think the little building on our near right is electricity hub station. The netball court is just behind it.

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