The visit took place from 4th – 7th March 2018 and included thirty students and Andrej Černigoj, one of the consultants of Lojze Peterle, Member of the European Parliament. The purpose of the excursion was to get acquainted  with the functioning of the European Union.  Every participant of the excursion had to present one part of Belgium or Brussels, which gave us a good insight of the country and city of our visit.

The first day was dedicated to the visit of the European quarter, which proved to be one of the highlights.  Firstly, we visited a special memorial with the Slovene national anthem written on it in all the languages of the European Union. We were proud to sing the Slovene anthem. Afterwards we were given a speech by Jurij Mesec, who works in the representative body of Slovenia. Because we were right before the building of the European Council, our guide Andrej told us a bit about the council and its activities.  The visit to the European Commission followed, where we were guided by the members of Violeta Bulc’ Cabinet, who is the European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport. We looked at the big hall, where we received answers to all of our questions concerning the internship and other job related enquiries. For the  visit to the European Parliament we were greeted by members of Franc Bogovič’ office. He explained all about the daily routine in the Parliament and we also met Lojze Peterle, who gave a very inspiring speech. He talked about directing Slovenia onto the right path, that it seems not to be foun yet. Afterwards we also helped him choose the school that will visit Brussels next year under the sponsorship of his Cabinet. After that we visited two interactive museums, the first one being the House of European History. We very much liked this museum and only wished we had had more time to look through it thoroughly. The visit to Parlamentarium was even shorter, however, we managed to watch a very interesting interactive movie. For the end we visited Atomium, which is one of the symbols of Brussels. It charmed us with its size. In the evening we enjoyed a common dinner. On Tuesday morning we visited a beautiful medieval city called Brugge. It has a hint of Englishness, which we liked as much as its amazing chocolatiers. Afterwards we went to of the Northern Sea coast. We spent the afternoon in the center of Brussels. There we took a look at the main square and the peeing boy. Some of us spent some time tasting Belgian fries and famous waffles. But nothing compares to the Museum of cocoa and chocolate, where we indulged in all possible Belgian chocolates. To round up our excursion we also visited Waterloo. /Katarina Brezovar, year 3/

Dear friends,

We tread on different paths through life, encountering different experiences. Our own and those of our loved ones.
Experiences that are pleasant, fulfilling but sometimes also difficult and trying. We are searching for truth and seeking meaning.

May the celebration of Easter holidays open our eyes to the light of the Risen, so that our lives may reflect the hope that he bestows upon us! We wish you a Happy Easter!

Anton Česen, MA, Director of St. Stanislav’s Institution

As customary the graduates spend the week before Palm Sunday in Rome discovering the beauties of the eternal city. Especially from the perspective of Ancient Rome – its hisotry, arts, life and language – it is a perfect place for study.

Every year one of the highlights is the holy mass in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday celebrated by the Pope. This year, on the 33rd World Youth Day, Pope Francis encouraged the young not to be silenced. He explained: »Dear young people, you have it in you to shout.  It is up to you to opt for Sunday’s “Hosanna!”, so as not to fall into Friday’s “Crucify him!”…  It is up to you not to keep quiet.  Even if others keep quiet, if we older people and leaders – so often corrupt – keep quiet, if the whole world keeps quiet and loses its joy, I ask you: Will you cry out? Please, make that choice /…/.«

Hopefully the young of the world will gather the strengh with Jesus to be able to unite themselves with God, thus joining light and darkness, joy and suffering in their everyday tasks. /Lily Schweiger Kotar/

In February 2018 the community of St. Stanislav’s Institution bid farewell to the long serving director Roman Globokar and welcomed the new leadership of Anton Česen. At the farewell mass Mr. Globokar accentuated that »he is actually leaving home, not only changing jobs«, which adequately summarizes how he felt about his life and work at St. Stanislav’s Institution. Since 2001 Roman Globokar served the institution as a teacher of Religion and culture, school chaplain, taking over the directorship in November 2005. At the same time, he taught also at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Ljubljana, where he continues his teaching position and research work.

He will be remembered for many achievements and qualities, but he feels in particular strong about three features of his work. Firstly, there was the coordination of tasks in all six constituent parts of the institution, especially in terms of common educational and spiritual direction as well as effective interaction among the priests’ work. This was closely connected with the second goal, namely with building of community. The number of employed has almost doubled in the last 12 years, so underpinning of common traits in reflection and action was of utmost importance. Comprehensive growth of every individual in the physical, intellectual, relational, social and spiritual sense has always been at the heart of the interest of governing body of St. Stanislav’s Institution. The third point is the aspect of creativity, which is more important than knowledge itself. This includes thinking out of the box, being open for challenges, accepting a different world and daring to search for innovative solutions.

Mr. Globokar is grateful to God for having brought him to St. Stanislavs’ Institution. “I have never been in search for my personal benefits, tough I received them in great abundance.  From the very first day, the institution felt like home. I am proud to see the Alojzij Šuštar Primary School and Good Shepherd Kindergarten to prosper. But most importantly it fills my heart with joy realizing that the beauty of newly devised buildings positively influence the employees, pupils, parents and visitors.”

Roman Globokar feels confident about the future of St. Stanislav’s Institution. “Nothing is ideal in this world”, he reflects, “but the fundamental atmosphere is inspiring and productive. Mostly I shall miss teaching in The Diocesan Classical Gymnasium. I believe it is imperative to discus with the young ethical and social questions.”

Luckily, there will be plenty of opportunities for Mr. Globokar to work with the young in the future. He will work in the field of the university ministry, offering extra knowledge on Christian humanism, thus enabling a development of the Christian view of man and the world we live in. This brings about the understanding of no confrontation between faith and intellect.

On behalf of the entire community of St. Stanislav’s Institution, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Mr. Globokar for his dedicated work and commitment. May God continue to bless him! /Lily Schweiger Kotar; partially adapted from the interview by Z. Candellari/

Ana Šubic has joined twenty-eight other students from all over Europe for winning the 2017-2018 translation contest for secondary schools ‘Juvenes Translatores’! Ana translated from English into Slovene. Two other students from the DCG, Ana Schrader, who translated from German and Martin Rode, translating from Spanish, received a special mention for their translation. The 60th anniversary of the signature of the Treaty establishing the European Community was the topic of the texts which young translators from across Europe had to translate.

We all agree that Latin, which all of the above-mentioned competitors have been learning now for the third year, contributed to the excellency and accuracy of their translations. Alenka Battelino, the teacher of English at the DCG, is Ana Šubic’s mentor. In April 2018 Ana will travel with her to Brussels to collect the award for the most accurate translation of Slovenia. This year The Diocesan Classical Gymnasium has competed for the fourth time in a row and won the competition three times! Well done indeed!

The Contest in Numbers

For the 11th time since 2007, over 3000 students from across the European Union translated texts, this time on the subjects of languages and translation. They could choose from any of the 552 possible combinations between any two of the EU’s 24 official languages. Students used 152 language combinations. All winners chose to translate into their strongest language or mother tongue, as the official translators in EU Institutions do.

The Commissioner Günther Oettinger, responsible for Budget and Human Resources at the European Commission congratulated the winners, parents and teachers, pointing out that “This is a great initiative combining two of Europe’s greatest values – language diversity and youth talent.« The aim of the contest is to promote language learning in schools and give young people a taste of what it is like to be a translator.

The Slovene Context of Juvenes Translatores

On the national level, there were 35 students competing from eight Slovene high schools. There were six contestants from the DCG, translating from English, German and Spanish. Peter Jakša, Language Officer from the Representation of European Commission in Slovenia, congratulated warmly the students, mentors and the headmaster Simon Feštanj on the outstanding success of the school. The obligatory languages taught at the DCG are Latin and English, some students take also classical Greek, but all have to choose a third foreign language from German, French, Spanish or Russian. /Lily Schweiger Kotar/

St. Stanislav’s Institution was honoured by the visit of Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Gautam Rana from the Embassy of the United States in Slovenia. He paid a visit on 31st January 2018 and firstly addressed the pupils of Alojzij Šuštar Primary School and afterwards engaged in the panel discussion with the students of the Diocesan Classical Gymnasium. The topics considered were wide-ranging and complex. To start with, he presented his job of Deputy Chief of Mission and daily work schedule and then we moved to the article by Nicholas Kristof in The New York Times which we were advised to read and was connected thematically with St. Stanislav’s Institution annual slogan “Where are you going?”. After that, it was time for students’ questions, which were well prepared and pertinent, as Mr. Rana pointed out. Some of them were actually tough to answer. The conversation went on about world politics, the rise and dangers of AI and robots, relations between the US and rest of the world, migration issues, the EU policy. What positively surprised me mostly was his optimistic view that humankind has never had it so good and only our pessimism or ignorance are holding us back. That is why Mr Rana accentuated the utmost importance of education and knowledge, as two key elements that constantly change the world we live in. It seemed this interesting conversation could continue on and on, but we were sadly time limited. All in all, we enjoyed the good atmosphere brought about by Mr. Rana’s nice, relaxed and knowledgeable attitude. The students were definitely not left empty-handed. /Amadej Pavšič, year 4/

Nik Smerkolj (year 3) in cooperation with Marko Jeran from The National Chemistry Institute, Ljubljana presented his research on 28th October 2017 at Mineralientage Show in Munich, entitled World of Minerals, Gems, Jewellery & Fossils. The event hosted prominent experts from different fields, presenting their research work and mineral collections. Nik was invited there as the lead author of his research. Being the youngest lecturer at the conference, it was a big honour to have taken part.

Nik has always been interested in chemistry. His primary school teacher Petra Škofic Valjavec takes most of the credit for his development in this field. She was also the mentor of his research work entitled Reasons for Colour and Fluorescence of fluorite. The research was published in 2015 and  finished with substantial assistance from Natural History Museum in Slovenia in particular by Miha Jeršek from the University in Ljubljana. Colour is one of the most important features of any mineral. Some minerals have their own unique typical colour, others can appear in various colours, fluorite being one of them. During the research two methods were used: PIXE and XRF. It was found out that some elements affecting the colour have the so-called F-centres. Another reason for colouring is the inclusion of other minerals, cracks, gaps and growth in more layers.

At the moment Nik is working on a new research covering a similar topic. /Nik Smerkolj/

Mark Loborec (year 2), the student of The Diocesan Classical Gymnasium was awarded second place at an International English Competition Best in English, which took place on 30th November 2017. There were 17. 612 high school students from 29 countries participating in the competition, which consisted of three parts: grammar, listening and reading comprehension. The competition was organized by a not-for-profit organization Institute for Competencies Development with the help of a language school AKCENT International House Prague. Mark found the competition interesting and said he was lucky, as the tasks seemed to be quite easy. He had a hunch that he would be successful, but was not quite sure about such a good result. Mark’s mentor was Tatjana Jarc, teacher of English at The Diocesan Classical Gymnasium.

We are proud of Mark’s success and congratulate him upon this fantastic achievement! /Lily Schweiger Kotar/

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” /Luke 2:10–12/

Let the Christmas message of joy, courage and peace fill our hearts. Allow the light of the newborn Jesus to illuminate the darkness of our lives and liberate us from our fears, prejudices and wrong decisions.

Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year 2018.

Roman Globokar, Ph. D., Director

 On 23rd November 2017 the international competition in translation Juvenes Translatores took place in all EU member states. The event promotes language learning and translation. The Diocesan Classical Gymnasium participated for the fourth time, this year as the only high school from the central Slovene region. Five contestants were translating from French, Spanish, German and naturally English. Nika, translating from French enjoyed utterly the text itself, which was “not too difficult” as she put it. “The biggest challenge was the title, which I translated as Leaving a foreign country or going back to roots. I hope the official translators will approve of it”. Ana, who translated from German, liked the fact that “one has to be resourceful and creative while translating. The feelings need to be the same in the translated text, not the words – this has proven to be a tough nut to crack.”

 The Contest in Numbers

For the 11th time since 2007, over 3000 students from across the European Union translated texts, this time on the subjects of languages and translation. They could choose from any of the 552 possible combinations between any two of the EU’s 24 official languages. Students used 152 language combinations. All winners chose to translate into their strongest language or mother tongue, as the official translators in EU Institutions do.

The Slovene Context of Juvenes Translatores

On the national level, there were 35 students competing from eight Slovene high schools. Our school has already had two national winners in 2014 and 2016 and are looking forward to this year results.  The obligatory languages taught at the DCG are Latin and English, some students take also classical Greek, but all have to choose a third foreign language from German, French, Spanish or Russian. /Lily Schweiger Kotar/