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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.

View from Admin Building

Tal Handaq

Unusual view showing blocks 10 and 9 tucked down off the road and partially hidden by small trees and shrubs.  The steps leading down to the shaded study-area behind Block-10 can also be seen.

Click thumbnail for larger image.

Blocks 9 and 10

Tal Handaq

Stairs from road leading down to Block 10.  The end of Block 9 is on the left.

Block 10 - Classroom (2006)

Tal-Handaq

This classroom is in the Romney block immediately down the road from the Admin building.  It is one of the few surviving blocks - it's next to the running track so it may be being used as changing rooms or to store sports equipment.

Anyone know?

Admin Building From The Library

Tal-Handaq

I'm standing just in front of the library.   I used the Liceo Vassalli welcome map of the school (seen on side wall of building) as the main website navigation tool on my old Tal-Handaq.co.uk website - so got to know it really well.


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Wide angle view of the Admin gardens

Tal-Handaq

Worth viewing at larger size.  An ultra wide-angle view of the planted area to the side of the Admin building.


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The "Other" Anchor Tile

Tal Handaq

This decorated tile was on the floor of the side entrance to the Admin building.  It's more crudely executed but was of a similar size to the one in the Assembly Hall (see lower image).

The design shows a fouled anchor - a motif that's been used by the navy for more than 400 years.

Variations of this symbol are included in the design of the cap badge of most naval officers today and  it is the distinguishing device of the  Chief Petty Officer.  The fouled anchor is also the collar device of the midshipman.

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Tal Handaq

Side View of Admin Building

Tal-Handaq

I don't remember there being a "Guidance" door on the side of the Admin building.  Does anyone remember it or is it a Liceo Vassalli addition?

Admin Building

Tal Handaq

Entrance to Admin building.

Admin Building - The Staff Room

Tal Handaq

Was this the staff room during the Royal Naval School era?



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Admin Block First Floor Corridor - To Headmaster's Study

The Headmaster's Study was on the right and (I think) the first door on the left was the First Aid Room in the late 50's (am I right?).


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Liceo Vassalli - Head of School's Office (Headmaster's Study)

Tal Handaq

Although it's a different desk it's still in the same place that I remember from my time (Sept 57 - July 60).

Memories anyone?




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Entrance to the Admin Building

Tal-Ħandaq

Entrance to the Admin building with Block 10 at left of picture.  The gym is behind me.




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Front of Admin Building

Tal-Ħandaq

Block 10 is to my left and the school hall behind me.



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Side of Admin Building

Tal-Ħandaq

Block-16 (the library block) is across the road behind me.  The building just visible on the right is Block 11 (the NAAFI block).




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Admin Building - Long Windows

Tal-Ħandaq

These two photos were taken standing with Block 10 behind me.  Although I guess they must have been there, I don't remember this view of the Admin building at all.


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Back of Block 9

Tal Handaq

One of the surviving blocks.  This was the Art Room in the late 50's.



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The Admin Building and School Hall

Tal Handaq

Distant view of the Admin building from the road.  I'm standing by the corner of the gymnasium.

Front View Of Block 9

Tal Handaq

Front view of Block 9.  Any information....any memories?


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Blocks 9 And 10 From The Road

Tal Handaq

I have an annoyingly confused memory of taking a class in the right hand side of Block 10 - just wish I could remember.....



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Distant View Of Library From Side Of Admin Block

Tal Handaq

These steps lead down to a group of outside tables located behind Block 10.  The school library (Block 16) is visible in full sun across the road.


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View from Block-8

Tal Handaq

View from bottom of path leading down to Block-8.  Left to right we see the Gym, Block-17 (the music block) the electric hub station and the tennis/basketball court.

Next photo shows view from road looking down towards where this photo was taken from.


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Blocks 8 and 9 From the Road

Tal Handaq

Memories anyone?




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Block 9 From The Road

Tal Handaq

I never took classes in this block so....anyone have any information?  I think this is one of the surviving blocks - also block-10 visible top right of this photo.

As always click thumbnail to view larger image.

Electricity Hub Station

Electricity Hub Station with gym in the background on the right.  The netball court is to my left.


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Block 8

Tal Handaq

This distant view shows blocks 8 and 9 along with the netball/basketball court. The hard surface this side of the court was just rough ground when I was at the school (I left in July '60).


Give the thumbnail a click to see larger image.

Inside the Tennis Court - View 2

Tal Handaq

So, during the RNS Tal Handaq period was this a Tennis Court or a netball court (or was it both)?  Obviously during the time of Liceo Vassalli it was a basketball court.

Visible behind the wire fence is the end of block-7 and in the distance is the handyman block.


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Inside the Netball Court - View 1

Tal Handaq

Looking towards the road.  Block 17 (Music Room) and Block 6 are almost hidden by the trees.

The tennis/netball/basketball court

Tal Handaq

View of the tennis court from what was the playground in the late 1950's.  We used to play a ball game called "kingy" in this area.  I've described how we played the game in one of my side-bar reminiscences.

The gym is just visible on the left behind the electrical hub station and block-6 is behind the palm tree on the right.


Click to see larger image (this image is better larger so worth a click).

Block 8 - January 2006

Tal-Handaq

Photo by Marc Spiteri (Liceo Vassalli) taken in January 2006.  This block had been earmarked as the first for demolition in February.

Black 8 - January 2006

Tal-Handaq

Photo taken by Marc Spiteri (Liceo Vassalli) in January 2006.  This is one of the Nissen Hut classroom blocks built in 1960 and was to be the first one to go under the final plans for demolition.

It's companion blocks (9 and 10) were to be saved and put into use by the new school, Saint Ignatius College (Boys' Secondary School).

A Last Look Inside Block-8 - 16th February 2006

The following 12 photos were taken by Marc Spiteri (Liceo Vassalli - English and Drama) on the 16th February 2006.    This was the day that the rooms of Block-8 were being emptied in preparation for demolition (Block-8 was the first casualty of the new development programme).

Room 19

Room 19

Room 20

Room 20

Room 21

Room 21

Room 21

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Block-8, Rooms 19 and 20

Block-8, Rooms 21 and 22

Room 22

Room 22

Room 22

Block-8 - Demolition Begins

Tal Handaq

Photo taken by Marc Spiteri (Liceo Vassalli) on the commencement of demolition work on the 26th February 2006.

Marc sent me a number of photos documenting the first weeks of demolition and I will upload them to a separate gallery "The Black Gallery" some time later this year.

The Admin Building

Tal Handaq

Any information - any memories?


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Blocks 8 and 9

Tal Handaq

Block 9 is immediately in front of us and Block 8 is visible on the left.   Taken from the open area in front of the gymnasium.



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Block 8

Tal Handaq

...with end of Block-9 at left.    Block-8 was the first building to be demolished in preparation for the development of the new school.  The little building in the background is the electrical hub station located near the planted area by the netball/basketball court.

The ground here was almost white and in consequence it absolutely radiated light and heat.

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Blocks 9 and 8 (L-R)

Tal Handaq

Block 9 is the one with the sun shade. It was the Art Block during the time I was there. Like a lot of others (I expect) I have memories of forearms covered in slip while trying desperately to keep a blob of clay centered on a potters wheel.  Click thumbnail to see larger image.

**PLEASE CLICK the "Older Posts" link at the bottom right of this web page to view more images in this gallery.