Visit to Germany, Aalen

Day 1: Visit to Schubart-Gymnasium and Local Middle School

 At Schubart-Gymnasium, I liked the English lesson where students from different background translated poems online into their L1. The teachers were enthusiastic and dedicated, creating a supportive atmosphere that encouraged all students to participate actively in their learning and use their L1. Also, I really liked and found useful the image of clocks on the wall with flags from all the countries students come from.

At the local middle school, the focus on collaboration and teamwork among students was particularly noteworthy. In this school there are more problems with students, but I saw how students from various linguistic and social backgrounds worked together on projects, fostering a sense of belonging. The school's dedication to language acquisition and cultural exchange created an environment where all students could thrive. Especially a project in the forest and Lego design of the school. It was good to talk to student counsellor and compare problems we have in our school to theirs. 

Day 2: Visit to Gemeinschaftsschule

My visit to Gemeinschaftsschule was another highlight of my trip. I was struck by the innovative teaching methods and the emphasis on personalized learning. The school’s commitment to integrating students of various backgrounds and abilities was interesting. The classroom where students learn German, the pleasant atmosphere, the independent study program with the lounges and sofas was amazing.

I really liked the video that students from different language backgrounds made ; they shared their languages and cultures, enriching the overall learning experience.

 Overall Impressions

Overall, my visit to these schools in Germany was a valuable experience. I gained insights into different educational practices, particularly the importance of inclusivity and support for immigrant students.

In May we had the opportunity to visit the City of Aalen in Germany. We were hosted by the staff of Schubart-Gymnasium. Renate Esber-Trost organised a very interesting and dynamic itinerary for our visit. Our first evening we attended a barbeque at the home of Ruth where we got to meet our other European partners and some staff from the school. It was lovely way to meet new people to discuss our schools and culture.

On Monday, our day began with a visit to Schubart-Gymnasium; we met all the staff but also had the opportunity to meet with members of the local council where they shared what they were doing to promote Interculturism in the city of Aalen. We were also entertained by the school band. We got to see an Art project based on collage and symbols of each country of the pupils attending the school.  We observed a language lesson using poetry to promote home languages. In the afternoon, we got to visit a local middle school that had more vocational focus. The children attending this school had the support of a school counsellor.

That evening we were treated to a very interesting and cultural event by the Watchman of Aalen that gave us a historical tour of the town.  The lasting memory of this tour was the Stolperstein or Stumbling stone a 10 cm concrete cube bearing a brass plate inscribed with name and date of a victim of the Holocaust. These small brass cubes can be found all over Europe.

On Tuesday we visited Gemeinschaftsschule which was a primary in Unterkochen. I personally really enjoyed visiting this school as a primary teacher myself I was very interested in the approach taken by the teachers to welcoming and supporting newcomer pupils. They shared the resources they were using and we had an opportunity to meet some of the children. It was a beautiful school that had been recently refurbished but there was also a lovely warm atmosphere in the school. I was also very jealous of the fabulous spacious staffroom!

In the afternoon we visited Zeiss in Oberkochen to see how a large international company manages diversity. Unfortunately we got to find out a lot about the company but only a small amount on how they manage diversity.

On Wednesday, our Final day we got to visit the International Centre at the University of Aalen. As luck would have it two Irish students looked after us while we were there. We met with Equal Opportunities and Social Inclusion Director and Dr Lola Bulut and Rosemarie Francis-Binder who are responsible for the Buddy and Family Friendship Programme. It was interesting to see the contrast between the primary and third level approach to welcoming new comer pupils.

As a group we really enjoyed our time in Aalen and this was only made possible due to the Céad Míle Fáilte we received from the staff of Schubart Gymnasium. We had so much in common despite the difference in language and culture and this of course is at the heart of our Schools of Belonging Project.

To follow....

Minutes

 Creating European Schools of Belonging 

13/02/24

Present : Catherine Doolan, Liam O Neill, Niamh Campion, Silvia Kreiner, Cristina Borges, Pedro,Renate and Alina.

Presentations

Alina presented the work that her school has been involved in since Feb ‘24

Talking Kites Project using the Home Languages of the children in the school. The Kites are displayed in the hall.

Elmer: Using Elmer the Elephant to represent Diversity.

Introduced a Language Resource.

Using the novel Buttons and Happiness as a resource.

Silvia then gave her presentation.

She presented back to her colleagues after her trip to Ireland.

She has formed a Project Group to help her co-ordinate the project in her school. The members of this group will have release time to work on the project.

• Planning to carry out a survey on the Home Languages present in the school.
• Development of a Directory for Parents.
• Planned Language and Culture Day.

Cristina then gave her presentation .

Challenging to get all the teachers together and her school is so large.

Cristina has met with the Management Team.

Cristina has set up a team which includes Pedro which helps her to co –ordinate the project.

Her school has 230 Foreign Students and 25 Nationalities.

Trying to find a  balance and develop well being.

Follow Up Meeting

It was decided by the group to meet Online via Zoom on the 11^th June to do a webinar on the Padlet of Resources available to the group.

Dearbhla O Sullivan will facilitate this webinar.

Catherine will share the link with everyone.

Dates for our trip to Serbia were decided .

Monday 21^st –Wednesday 23^rd October.

Dates for trip to Austria were also decided.

Monday 24^th- Wednesday 26^th February or if that doesn’t suit Monday17th-Monday 19^th February

Dates for Portugal  will be decided at our meeting in Serbia.

There will be a catch up Zoom in late September to see how everyone is getting on.

Catherine will tender for the website and will get the website up and running as soon as possible.

Silvia set everyone in the group up on Teams.