To be merciful means to walk the path with fellow men trying to find out what they actually need, which is usually not what they ask for. To become a neighbour is a matter of heart.

With the above words and the question from the parable of the Good Samaritan teachers from St. Stanislav’s Institution tried to pursue the path to children, pupils and students who are entrusted to our care. It was the archbishop of Ljubljana Msgr. Stanislav Zore, who was the keynote speaker on the annual education day, which took place on 23rd August 2016. The director of St. Stanislav’s Institution dr. Roman Globokar emphasised the purpose of this day, which is to continue last year theme on the protection of the environment, pay respect to the holy year of mercy, deal with refugee crisis, consider Pope’s messages of encouragement and embody the mission statement of St. Stanislav’s Institution. This is to foster the integral personal growth of each individual in the community, guided by faith, hope and love and in dialogue with the world, with the goal of living fully for the betterment of the world. Both speakers encouraged teachers and educators to live the example of Samaritan: he listened to his heart ignoring the rules; he was not afraid of actually meeting the man who fell into the hands of robbers; and finally he did not leaveude the wounded man out, but stood by him.

“Who is my neighbour?” is the key question teachers and students in St. Stanislav’s Institution will try to answer in a variety of ways throughout the academic year 2016/17. The answer will especially come true in our everyday life, to which we are looking forward, as it is the most precious gift of God. /Lily Schweiger Kotar/

The third transnational project meeting of Art Nouveau – Art Renouveau took place from 1st–5th July 2016 and was organized by Constantin Catacuzino National College from Târgovişte. The activities of the second year of the project were reviewed and evaluated: it was found out that all activities were carried out according to the plan made at the second TPM in Bulgaria. Three teaching learning activities were organized starting with the first in Rumania, followed by the second in Slovenia and ending with the one in Bulgaria. Around 100 students were involved in each, either travelling, hosting or organizing activities. They were accompanied by 17 teachers. The response from all active participants was positive with many ideas for further cooperation among partners and outer organizations. The results of the project are regularly published in local newspapers and other media. Plans for the third year of the project were discussed since it will be a another busy year with two Teaching Learning Activities on their way in the coming academic year (France in September and Germany in April) and final reports to be written. The hosts organized a wonderful programme where the Art Nouveau town trail on Târgovişte was tested. The trail was designed during the project. We had an Art Nouveau tour around Bucharest, which was flourishing at the time and with many houses built in the Art Nouveau style called Little Paris. Alenka Battelino, Daša Oberč and Bernarda Podlipnik from St. Stanislav’s Institution participated in the event. /Alenka Battelino, project coordinator/

Chamber Choir Megaron, which consists of Diocesan Classical Gymnasium alumni, participated in the International Choir Festival Vratislava Sacra, which took place in Wrocław, Poland from 3rd to 5th June 2016. The Chamber choir Megaron, under the conductorship of Damijan Močnik,  won in two categories, namely in the category of mixed choirs and in the one of orthodox music interpretation. The Grand prix was awarded to Chamber Choir Megaron for the best choir of the festival out of twenty-one participating choirs. The above mentioned festival is meant for amateur choirs from all over Europe and the USA. The festival’s goal is to promote high level sacred choral music.

We offer our sincere congratulations to the all Chamber Choir Megaron singers and the conductor Damijan Močnik! /Lily Schweiger Kotar/

The 23rd annual concert with nine choirs and string orchestra of St. Stanislav’s Institution included more than 400 musicians who fired the full house in Cankarjev Dom with enthusiasm on 15th May 2016. The concert was marked by a variety of compositions ranging in time, place and style. Musical images in the interpretation of young musicians promoted plentiful life on the Earth, opened spirital dimansion of human existence and generally spread joie de vivre. As the director of St. Stanilsav’s Institution dr. Roman Globokar accentuated in his speech, all the musicians’ skills gathered in harmony to awaken joy in the auduence. Every chior presented its repertoir – from both primary school choirs and five gymnasium choirs to two alumni choirs, however, the grand finale consisted of all choires and orchestra performing together Look at the World by John Rutter and a passage The Earth from The Canticle of the Sun by Damijan Močnik, who has been heart and soul of annual concerts in St. Stanislav’s institution since their establishment in 1993. The final Macnificat united about 1800 voices, including the audience, in a sincere “hymn of praise” for numerous gifts gratefully received especially during this night and throughout the school year.  /Lily Schweiger Kotar/

The visit took place on 5th May 2016, when thirteen future teachers from Leer in Niedersachsen visited among other high schools in Ljubljana also The Diocesan Classical Gymnasium. Under the leadership of prof. dr.  Johan Sjuts, the director of Studienseminar Leer für das Lehramt an Gymnasien, the group of teacher novices and their supervisors annually visit a different European country, observe classes and respective national educational systems in private and state sectors. In St. Stanislav’s Institution, the group was welcomed by the director dr. Roman Globokar, then the class observation of their choice took place.  Classroom management and instructional techniques were observed in the following classes: English, German Latin, Mathematics and Physics. The informal meeting and the tour of the school followed. Dr. Sjuts accentuated that the entire party was impressed by classes, school’s history, and the tour. “Ethos is one of the first things we have noticed here, apart from strong commitment to the cause, which both definitely contribute to a successful educational process”, said dr. Sjuts. Irena Bolta, teacher of German at The DCG was in charge of the visit. /Lily Schweiger Kotar/

The »Outdoor« seminar was held in Týnec nad Labem from 18th – 22nd April 2016. Nine participants from Germany, Romania, Hungary, Spain and myself joined the event.

Understandably, the entire seminar was set outdoors, setting off with making a tipi tent, which was occasionally used as a shelter against cold wind and also as a kitchen where some of our meals were prepared.Forest served as a playground for a day and we learned through various games how to use our senses. We visited primary school Základní škola in Týnec nad Labem where we enjoyed staff’s hospitality and exchanged good teaching practice.

I learned about the importance of teacher’s body language and voice, which quite often turn out to be more important than the actual content/topic in the process of learning. I realised the need to ask myself five important questions when preparing the lessons: what, how, where, when and why. Teachers should focus more on motivation before lessons and be aware of the importance of voluntary, non-competitive games in the process of learning. Outdoor activities are closely related to personal and social development, environmental education, overall exploration, while the materials for all the activities are there, waiting to be used and then returned with a sentence: “Thank you, Nature!”

I have realised that teachers at the Alojzij Šuštar Primary School know how to use the »little paradise« in our school’s surroundings and try hard at outdoor education. I believe seminar participants were excited to hear about the good practice provided there. /Tina Šetina/

The DCG team which won the Slovene part of the international competition of The European Central Bank (ECB) entitled Generation €uro visited Frankfurt from 20^th – 21^st April 2016. There, each winning national team participated at the award ceremony. Student teams got acquainted with the organisation and functioning of ECB, visited Frankfurt Stock Exchange and spent some time with their piers from other countries. At the same time the DCG team, consisting mainly of graduates, shot a promotional video to be presented to the visitors of ECB. /Tadej Rifel/

The Prime Minister dr. Miro Cerar visited St. Stanislav’s Institution on 19^th April 2016. He toured the new building of The Alojzij Šuštar Primary School, met the governing body and participated in the student panel discussion with the auxiliary bishop of Ljubljana dr. Anton Jamnik entitled »25 years of Slovenia’s independence – paths and deviations«.

After a warm reception by primary school children, the Prime Minister and the director of St. Stanislav’s Institution dr. Roman Globokar faced the question of co-funding of private primary schools and potential Constitutional changes. Dr. Globokar pointed out that pupils in Slovene private primary schools represent 0,2 % of the entire schooling population in primary schools throughout the country and therefore there is no fear whatsoever of primary education marketization, as it is unlawful to make profit in state funded primary schools. At the panel discussion, the students mainly addressed questions concerning current social, security and financial issues. The Prime Minister was hopeful about the fact that the Slovenes have left behind the world crisis more mature and responsible for a decent life in a civilized society, offering a good educational system and encouraging successful companies, and at the same time not forgetting fellow human beings and true values. He pointed out that: “We need to work on, learn from history and look forward to the future and the young. We have to build the society we live in, in such a way that younger generations could grow on these bases and develop an even more content and successful society.” Dr. Jamnik commented above all on the function of Church in the process of independence and democratisation of Slovenia and outlined the role of the late Archbishop Šuštar, after whom the Primary school in St. Stanislav’s Institution has been named. /adapted by Lily Schweiger Kotar/

The Diocesan Classical Gymnasium joins the culture world with celebrating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death by reflecting and illustrating some of his most famous quotes. By doing so, the young displayed vigour, as the quotes are even today topical and universal. As it can be seen from the displayed illustrations, students have most frequently chosen Hamlet’s quote: “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” Students’ handouts are displayed in  »Shakespeare’s Corner«, where students can read the sonnets and appreciate poetry. Students claim they like it, because “poetry relaxes mind and inspires the soul”.  Or as Shakespeare would put it: “I will have poetry in my life. And adventure. And love. Love above all.” Please feel free to browse through the sonnets yourselves! /Lily Schweiger Kotar/

The language-cultural exchange took place from 12th – 15th April 2016, mostly involving third and fourth years from the Diocesan Classical Gymnasium and 16 Austrian students, accompanied by two teachers. The latter participated in the German Matura preparation classes, learned some Slovene and got acquainted with basic facts from Slovene history. Maks Kumek, a Slovene student, toured the visiting group round the Institution. The excursion took us to the Carst (Štanjel) and on the hill of Sabotin to follow the trails of the Isonzo Front. The day rounded by the Adriatic see with the visit of Piran. The capital city of Ljubljana was explored by language mixed groups, which was louds of fun. The entire exchange brought about a lot of satisfaction from both parties, due to mutual cooperation and pleasant atmosphere. Irena Bolta, teacher of German at the DCG was in charge of the exchange, some students and Miriam Lindič, also DCG German teacher, assisted her. /Irena Bolta/