Haileybury Malta Newsletter 24.10.25 by Haileybury Malta

Dear Parents and Friends,

It’s that time of year again. Yes, that time of year when we have to submit the school census data. This is a lengthy and complex spreadsheet that takes many, many hours to complete. I would not say that it is my favourite task! However, it does have one rather wonderful redeeming feature, and that is how it enables me to see very clearly the shifting demography of the school.

Annoyingly, the form only has the capacity to accept one given nationality. We have a large number of pupils who hold dual nationality, and the overwhelming majority of our pupils are bi-, tri– or even quadrilingual. Possibly more! Language acquisition is such an important part of learning, and our pupils will certainly find themselves better off in life for having such skills in the modern world.

We love being part of such a culturally rich and diverse community. One child ’s unique experiences enrich all of us by finding out more about them and their nationality even if, as is the case for some, they have never even lived in the country for which they hold a passport.

Just for fun, I pasted our list of nationalities (including staff!) into a word cloud generator to see what it looked like. We really are a smorgasboard of diversity!

Have a lovely weekend,

Louise Salmond Smith Founding Head

The Power of Being Bilingual

At Haileybury, we celebrate the richness that comes from speaking more than one language. Research shows that bilingual people develop stronger cognitive skills, with benefits that extend far beyond communication. Learning and using multiple languages strengthens the brain, improving memory, focus, and problem-solving. It also enhances reading comprehension, logical thinking, and the ability to understand abstract concepts, which contribute to deeper, more flexible learning.

The advantages don ’t stop there. Studies have found that multilingual brains are quicker and more resilient, with a reduced risk of cognitive decline in later life. Pupils who are surrounded by multiple languages consistently perform better on academic assessments, showing higher levels of creativity, empathy, and cultural awareness. These skills equip pupils to thrive in a globally connected world, both academically and socially.

Looking ahead to when our pupils leave school, bilingualism opens doors to countless opportunities. Adults who speak more than one language often enjoy greater career prospects, higher earning potential, and the confidence to navigate diverse cultural settings. We are proud to nurture these skills in our pupils, helping them grow into confident, open -minded, and future-ready global citizens.