Buzzing with Excitement: Schools Celebrate the Launch of In-Naħla Katerina

To mark the release of the brand-new children’s song In-Naħla Katerina, three Maltese schools hosted a series of engaging and educational activities aimed at young learners. The song, which celebrates the Maltese Honey Bee—now officially recognised as Malta’s National Insect—is part of a wider initiative titled Maltese Honey Bee Education Through Songs and Rhymes. Developed by the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee, this initiative uses music, storytelling, art and movement to teach children aged 0 to 10 about biodiversity and the essential role of pollinators.

The initiative centres around a vibrant PowerPoint presentation introducing children to the lovable bee character In-Naħla Katerina. Through age-appropriate language and vivid visuals, children learn about how bees collect nectar, where they live, and why they are so important to our ecosystem. The accompanying song, written by Michael Piscopo and performed by Phyllisienne Brincat, was developed with guidance from Professor Suzanne Piscopo to ensure it is educational, catchy, and suitable for early learners.

To celebrate the launch, three schools hosted special activities that brought the character and the song to life for children through movement, art, and sensory exploration.

Little Thinkers Childcare Centre

At Little Thinkers Childcare Centres in Rabat and Mosta, the children enjoyed a delightful sensory experience where they tasted honey while listening to the cheerful tune In-Naħla Katerina. This activity helped children make a direct connection between the bees and the honey they produce, reinforcing the learning in a tangible way.

The classroom buzzed with joy as children clapped along and swayed to the rhythm, joining in the catchy chorus with ease. The multi-sensory nature of the session—taste, sound, and movement—made the experience especially memorable and helped to deepen the children’s understanding of bees and the natural world.

Children gathered around a table in a colorful classroom, engaged in activities related to the children's song '_In-Naħla Katerina_'. The room is decorated with greenery and features a screen displaying animated bees.

A group of young children gathered around a table in a colorful classroom, engaging in activities related to the song 'In-Naħla Katerina.' Educators assist them as they enjoy hands-on learning experiences, with a television displaying educational content in the background.

St Joan Antide Primary School

At St Joan Antide Primary School in Gudja, the song’s launch was celebrated in two Year 3 classes, coordinated by Ms Suzanne Garroni. The pupils were first introduced to the PowerPoint presentation, which explained the life and role of In-Naħla Katerina and her bee family. Following this, children enthusiastically joined in a karaoke session of the song, using the provided lyrics and movements to follow along.

They danced in lines, flapping their arms like wings and pretending to buzz from flower to flower—just like real bees. These physical activities helped to reinforce rhythm, coordination, and teamwork in a fun and engaging way. Each pupil was given a sticker of In-Naħla Katerina as a keepsake, and they later took part in a creative drawing session where they illustrated the character, her sisters the worker bees, and her mum, the queen bee.

Also at the same school, 310 primary school pupils and 45 educators joined an online assembly to learn more about the Maltese Honey Bee. They explored the importance of this unique native species, its role in our ecosystem, and why it needs our protection.

Children watching a colorful animated bee character on a screen in a classroom, with buzzing sounds and vibrant visuals surrounding the character.

Children in a classroom watching a presentation about bees on a large screen, with animated bee characters superimposed on their heads, while engaging with the learning material.

A colorful illustration of a cartoon bee character, In-Naħla Katerina, sitting on a yellow flower, with a classroom of children visible in the background. The image features text in Maltese that translates to 'On a yellow flower.'

A computer screen displaying an animated character of a smiling bee with large eyes, surrounded by colorful flowers, alongside text that says 'BIŻZ BIŻZ BIŻZ' and a subtitle reading 'Tferfer önwindħaja'.

A colorful presentation featuring a cartoon bee character, In-Naħla Katerina, alongside Maltese children engaging in an online class. The slide shows a Maltese flag and includes the text 'Sabiħa ħafna Maltija, She's beautiful because she's Maltese.'

Għaxaq Primary School – St Benedict College

At Għaxaq Primary School (St Benedict College), the activity was led by volunteer Francesca Mifsud with the support of educator Ms Fayme Busuttil. The children participated in a full session that included the educational PowerPoint, the song in both its original and karaoke forms, and a dance-along segment.

The children were delighted by the lively tune and eagerly took part in the buzzing choreography, mimicking bees as they moved through the classroom. Afterwards, they enjoyed a drawing activity that allowed them to express their new knowledge artistically by illustrating In-Naħla Katerina and her bee companions. The combination of music, movement, and creative expression made this session both informative and fun.

A teacher explains concepts about bees to a group of children seated in a classroom. The classroom features a projector displaying educational content about bees, and the children are engaged and attentive, wearing colorful shirts.

A teacher presents an educational PowerPoint about bees to young children in a classroom, with topics including honey production and the importance of bees.

Enchanted Forest Childcare Centre

The children at the Enchanted Forest Childcare Centre had a truly delightful experience as they learned all about the Maltese Honey Bee. With bright smiles and lots of enthusiasm, they danced along with their educators to the cheerful tune of In-Naħla Katerina, filling the room with laughter and joy.

They listened carefully to our interactive presentation, showing great curiosity as they discovered fascinating facts about the importance of bees in nature, especially the unique role of the Maltese Honey Bee. To end the session, the children took part in a fun drawing activity using our In-Naħla Katerina activity book, proudly illustrating their very own versions of the beloved bee character. It was a joyful and educational experience for everyone involved.

Children and educators participating in a dance activity in a colorful classroom, celebrating the song In-Naħla Katerina.

A stack of colorful printed materials featuring the character In-Naħla Katerina, a Maltese honey bee, with illustrations and text designed for educational purposes.

An educational art setup featuring a coloring page of a cartoon bee with a crown, alongside pots of yellow and orange paint on a red table.

A group of children sitting on the floor attentively watching two educators during an interactive session about the Maltese Honey Bee in a colorful classroom.

Share Your Buzzing Activity!

The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee invites all schools, childcare centres, and educators across Malta and Gozo to join in spreading the message of In-Naħla Katerina. Whether you play the song, deliver the presentation, organise a dance session, or simply use the drawing book in class, your efforts can help raise awareness about the importance of bees and pollinators.

To have your activity featured, send the details to nahlamaltija@gmail.com, and the Foundation will be happy to showcase your contribution to this educational movement.

Illustration featuring a cheerful bee character, a honey jar, and a honey dipper with text about bees making honey, aimed at children.

A plush bee character with a friendly face stands in the center, surrounded by cartoon bee illustrations and honeycomb patterns in a vibrant background.

A friendly cartoon-style bee mascot with a round face, big eyes, and rosy cheeks, wearing a striped brown and black outfit, standing with outstretched arms.

A circular badge featuring a cartoon character named Katerina, who is designed to look like a bee, with a honeycomb background.

A person dressed in a bee costume, viewed from the back, featuring large black and brown wings and antennae.

Inspiring a Love for Nature

With its engaging blend of music, storytelling, and hands-on activities, In-Naħla Katerina is quickly becoming a beloved resource for early years education in Malta. By introducing the Maltese Honey Bee to children through joyful learning experiences, this initiative is helping to sow the seeds of environmental awareness and appreciation for biodiversity—one little buzz at a time.

A cartoon bee character with a cheerful expression, wearing a yellow backpack and rain boots, with large wings and big eyes, flying against a green background.

A cartoon illustration of a cheerful bee with big eyes and wings, flying within a decorative frame.

A cartoon illustration of a cute bee with big eyes and wings, set within a decorative border.

A cartoon illustration of a happy bee character wearing a crown, with large eyes and wings, surrounded by a decorative border.

To stay up to date with the Foundation’s work, we warmly invite you to join our WhatsApp community. The smooth functioning of our organisation relies on financial resources, and your support is essential. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference in advancing our mission. You can help by joining the Foundation’s cause, become a supporter for just €10 a year or make a donation here: Support the Foundation.

Disclaimer: This project has been funded by the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). This project/ publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein.