‘I did not choose this’ – Former Head Miss Tami opens up on Thi Lakin closure after 58 years

Former Head of the Thi Lakin School in Attard Tami Mac an Bhaird published a heartfelt message on what would have been the first day of the scholastic year, explaining why the school had to close its doors and how she worked as much as she was able to keep it open.

“Music should have been blaring at Thi Lakin School this morning, children running in excitedly, greeting their friends, moving on to a fun assembly with lots of dancing, singing and the usual racket we make on the first day of school. students back to school. This year, after 58 years, it was not to be,” the former Head said.

The school, which was founded in the 1970s, announced that it was closing its doors in July. It operated as a private nursery, kindergarten and primary school.

In an emotional message on the school’s social media page, “Miss Tami,” as she was known, said that the school’s closure was not a decision she wanted.

“Over the summer, I have received hate mail, people confronting me and abusing me verbally as they are unaware of why this decision had to be made. I did not choose to close the school.”

She said that Thi Lakin was much more than a place of work, it was her life, part of her family and identity and, "most importantly, part of the lives of generations of children and families.”

The school had started as a family business, she said. But circumstances changed and her siblings sold the building five years ago. Since then, she said she continued running the school from a rented premises.

“I made the decision to carry on because I simply could not bear the thought of the school coming to an end. The rent, however, became extremely high – so high that the fees coming into the school were not enough to cover it, along with all the other costs involved in keeping a school running.”

She stressed that financial circumstances made the decision for her, and if she could have kept the doors open “simply through love, dedication and determination, we would still be here.”

She said she did everything she could to keep the school open during those five years, and used what she received from the building’s sale to cover the difference.

“I kept putting money into the school because I believed in it. No, I have not become a millionaire, as many insinuated, in fact, quite the opposite. I used my personal funds as I believed in what we had created. I believed in the children. And I believed that somehow, if I just kept trying, I would find a way to keep going.”

Every child that walked through the school’s doors mattered to her, she said. “Every first day, every little achievement, every birthday, every Christmas concert, every smile, every tear, every hug and every proud parent moment became part of our story.”

She stressed that the school’s closure was not the result of her no longer caring.

“But there comes a point where love and dedication cannot overcome the financial reality of running a school. I have reached that point now, and continuing would simply not be financially possible. Making this decision broke my heart, more than you could imagine.”

She said she knows many are disappointed, shocked and upset. “I understand that completely. I feel that sadness more deeply than I can express. I am also deeply sorry to the children. They deserve to know that this is not because they did anything wrong, and not because we no longer wanted to be there for them.”

She expressed pride in everything that the school achieved and the students who passed through its doors.

“Thank you for allowing me to be part of your children's lives. And thank you for being part of our story.”

She said that while the school’s doors have shut, the memories created inside will not disappear. “58 years of existence cannot simply be closed with a key. They live on in the children who passed through our doors, in the families we have known, in the friendships that were made.”

She said that she leaves this chapter with sadness in her heart, but also with gratitude and pride for what was achieved, and wished all the former students well while thanking the school’s staff.