Ensuring academics never lag behind
Enabling student-athletes to excel in their sporting careers should never mean sacrificing academic achievement.
At its core, the Mediterranean College of Sport (MCS) aims to be a school of excellence for young athletes with a high potential for development in their chosen sport. The MCS, however, has a firm focus on providing students with a dual-career pathway since the commitment to academia is just as strong.
With a student-centric curriculum and schedule, and rigorous support systems to help student-athletes manage the demands of both their academic and sporting pursuits, the MCS is built on the belief that the two strands can support and strengthen one another without any compromise.
Academically, students can expect a lesson weighting in all core subjects – English, Maths, Maltese, as well as a foreign language and Integrated Science (Years 7 and 8), Physics or Biology (Years 9, 10 and 11) – that will be comparable to that offered in mainstream schools, and in line with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). Moreover, two option subjects will also be taught, with four lessons per week each.
However, it is the approach to learning that sets the MCS apart: enabling every student-athlete to make progress through different learning experiences will be crucial. We will achieve this by implementing learner-centred pedagogies coupled with teaching methodologies suitable for the acquisition of the necessary skills needed for success in todays and tomorrow’s world.
The key methodology is inquiry-based learning, an active form of learning that challenges students to think, reason, explore, discuss, and communicate their understanding, fostering curiosity and developing conceptual thinking.
Our dedicated and experienced teachers will deliver lessons that are vibrant and that enable students to be critical thinkers, problem-solving leaders and who have the confidence to work independently in the face of unfamiliar challenges. Exposing every student-athlete to a variety of learning experiences carefully layered and linked is our way of scaffolding their progress and development.
We value the distinct qualities of the individual and will encourage all our student-athletes to grow and develop into happy, confident, and caring young people. We will strive to understand the needs of each individual learner, ensuring that the planning and delivery of lessons is and appropriately challenging.
The unique environment offered by the MCS also means that student-athletes can be assured at all times that the different stakeholders, including teachers and coaches, are all working hand-in-hand in their best interests, so they will never have to compromise on their studies or training due to competing schedules. Online/distance teaching and learning will also be available when students are training or competing abroad.
Students thrive when they are happy, safe, and settled, and looking forward to coming to school. The school will organise an induction week prior to the first day of school as we seek to create an environment where everyone will get to know each other, where positive relationships are built and every individual counts.
Before the first term there will be a Parent Information Meeting and later in the year two Parents Days to support and inform parents of their child’s progress. We will keep parents up to date at other times through our school-home management information system, ensuring that they are involved at every step of school life.
Our highly skilled, caring, professional staff will provide the support, help and advice for students and parents to ensure we overcome any barriers and help our learners focus on achieving their very best in both their learning and sporting pathways.
The Mediterranean College of Sport is set to be one of the most pioneering educational and sporting facilities in the Maltese islands, aiming to develop future athletes of international calibre. The co-educational college is set to open its doors to students in September 2024 and will be housed adjacent to St Aloysius College in Birkirkara. For further information please send an email to cbonnici@mcs.edu.mt .
Currently MCS is holding a number of informative meetings with parents. Please register your interest if you wish to attend. Register Here