History
History of St Augustine College
St Augustine College’s story spans over 175 years, rooted in faith, resilience, and a commitment to education. Here's a concise history from its foundation in 1848 to the present day:
1848 – 1900: Foundation in Valletta
23 October 1848: Founded by Fr. Gaetano Pace dei Baroni Forno O.S.A., Provincial of the Maltese Augustinian Province, next to the Church of St Augustine in Valletta. It became the first free Catholic school for Maltese boys, supported by Governor Sir Richard More O’Ferrall.
1900 – 1948: Growth and Wartime Closure
The school thrived into the early 20th century with a strong Augustinian staff and growing student numbers.
15 January 1941: Temporarily closed due to World War II. Despite official closure, occasional lessons continued whenever possible.
1948 – 1954: Centennial Rebirth
13 October 1948: Reopened on its 100th anniversary, becoming St Augustine’s College—a secondary and preparatory institution per Education Department guidelines.
1954 – 1966: Move to Tarxien
1952: Introduced Dockyard apprenticeship classes for vocational training, alongside traditional preparatory and secondary education.
1954: Relocated to larger premises in Tarxien acquired by the Augustinian Province.
1966 – 2015: Establishment in Pietà
17 June 1965: The Order purchased villas on Gwardamangia Hill, Pietà. Renovations began in January 1966.
10 March 1966: The first Augustinian community moved in; the school building was officially inaugurated on 14 April 1966, with Mass and formation of the Convent of St Thomas of Villanova on 28 April 1966.
The College continued to develop its secondary education at Pietà throughout the late 20th century.
2012 – 2026: re-introduction of Primary in another Campus
2012: Launched the Primary Campus in Marsa (Years 1–6), furthering its mission of accessible Catholic education.
Today, the College serves approximately 792 male students from Years 1 to 11, continuing its Augustinian ethos of love, humility, community, and pursuit of truth.
Today
Campuses:
Primary: Marsa (Years 1–6)
Secondary: Pietà (Years 7–11)
St Augustine College stands today as a testament to its founders’ vision—an enduring institution shaped by faith, perseverance, and a resolve to nurture community-minded citizens.
Rectors
This is the list of Rector of St Augustine College, followed by Head of Campuses.
Mons. Gaetano Pace Forno o.s.a.
(1848-1857)
P. Nikola Cilia o.s.a.
(1863-1869)
P. Vincenzo Garroni o.s.a.
(1857-1863)
(1869-1874)
Mons. Giovanni M.Camilleri o.s.a.
(1874-1883)
P. Kalcidonju Debono o.s.a.
(1883-1886)
P. Wistin Filippu Cascun o.s.a.
(1886-1907)
(1902-1923)
P. Giuseppe Consiglio o.s.a
(1917-1920)
P. Antonio Tonna Barthet o.s.a.
(1923-1925)
P. Karlu Aquilina o.s.a.
(1926-1929)
P. Giovanni Genovese o.s.a.
(1907-1917)
(1929-1932)
P. Bonifacio Bonello o.s.a.
(1932-1935)
P. Filippu Busuttil o.s.a.
(1935-1941)
P. Giuseppi Borg o.s.a.
(1951-1955)
P. Ugolino Gatt o.s.a.
(1967-1970)
P. Roger Mifsud o.s.a.
(1955-1961)
(1970-1978)
P. Kristiano Rodo o.s.a.
(1978-1980)
P. Manuel Borg Bonello o.s.a.
(1980-1982)
P. Salvinu Caruana o.s.a.
(1982-1988)
P. Paul Formosa o.s.a.
(1988-1994)
P. Raymond Francalanza o.s.a.
(1994-2000)
P. Alan Scerri o.s.a.
(2001-2014)
P. Leslie Gatt o.s.a.
(2014-2018)
P. David Cortis o.s.a
2018-Present
Heads of Primary – St Augustine College
2014 – 2018 – Mr Reuben Mifsud – Head of Primary (Marsa)
2018 – 2023 – Ms Dorianne Pace – Head of Primary (Marsa)
2023 – 2025 – Ms Bernardette Mercieca – Head of Primary (Marsa)
2025 – present – Ms Karen Piscopo – Head of Primary (Marsa)
Heads of Secondary – St Augustine College
2014 – 2019 – Mr Reuben Mifsud – Head of Secondary (Pietà)
2019 – 2024 – Mr Stephen Briffa – Head of Secondary (Pietà)
2024 – present – Ms Karen Piscopo – Head of Secondary (Pietà)