Outdoor school

GREETINGS FROM THE MOUNTAIN HOTEL

Our lower primary students spent a week in a nature school surrounded by mountain scenery, sunshine, and great energy. Each day was filled with games, creative activities, movement, and evening programs with animators that the kids truly enjoyed.
They also visited the zoo, got to know the animals – and also each other. New friendships were made, there was lots of laughter, and the time spent together outside of the classroom made everyone feel more fresh.
They returned home with plenty of memories and experiences they’ll remember for a long time. We’re already looking forward to what comes next!

Green School: Less Waste, More Taste

Our school was visited by an evaluation committee as part of the Green School project, which we actively pursued throughout the school year with a focus on food. We were the only school in Trnava to fully engage in the program – and we achieved great success.

Collaboration between students and the school chef in creating the menu proved to be an effective way to reduce food waste by up to 11%. The activity received a lot of positive attention, and we plan to continue it. Our talented students from the Green School committee prepared delicious refreshments for the visitors, using local ingredients, fruits, and vegetables.

Delegation from Kenya and Malaysia

Our school was recently visited by a delegation from universities in Kenya and Malaysia, consisting of academic representatives primarily active in the fields of education and research.

From Kenya:

• Prof. Maureen Olel – Dean of the Faculty of Education at Maseno University in Kisumu

• Prof. Anne Kisulu – Dean of Moi University in Eldoret

From Malaysia:

• Prof. Nordin Mamat – Director of the Centre for Educational Research, Faculty of Human Resource Development, University Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim

The group was accompanied by Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Vladimír Frišták, PhD., Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Education.
The school was represented by Ms. Danka, the principal, who gave them a warm welcome, and Mr. Rasťo, who guided them through the school premises and introduced them to the school’s daily life and organization.

The delegation attended several lessons and showed great interest in touring the modern Future Classroom Lab, which serves as a model of an innovative approach to education.

The visit took place in a very friendly atmosphere, and we believe our international guests left with many inspiring ideas and positive impressions.

LONDON

✈️ Greetings from London!

Our lower secondary students have set off on an exciting journey to the United Kingdom! 🏰

We’ve arrived in London by plane and are exploring iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Greenwich and the Prime Meridian, the Cutty Sark, the Tower of London, and many more.
There’s even something magical for Harry Potter fans – a visit to the Harry Potter Studio, where the world of Hogwarts comes to life! 🧙‍♂️🪄

Each day is filled with unforgettable experiences, new discoveries, and shared moments we’ll cherish for a long time. 🧳📸

Smart Choices Start Early

We organized a workshop focused on the risks of consuming energy drinks at a young age. We discussed with the students their ingredients, effects on health, and possible side effects. It is important for children to understand what they are consuming — that’s why we maintain an open and clear dialogue with them.

We Hosted Pupils from Poland

Our Primary and secondary school had the honor of welcoming pupils from our partner school in Poland. A warm welcome from our head teacher and a presentation about the school opened the doors of BESST to the Polish pupils, giving them the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be one of our pupils for a few days.

The first day focused on cooperation and teamwork. Teambuilding activities were completed with an interactive walk through Kamenný Mlyn, where children completed group tasks while exploring the beauty of nature. The program continued with a guided tour of Trnava’s historic city center, and the day concluded with a dinner.

Wednesday was dedicated to the theme of Water. A day of collaborative experiments started a themed program called Water – the Source of Life. These activities encouraged creativity as well as international cooperation.

Thursday was all about excursions. We visited the Gabčíkovo Waterworks, the Ecocenter in Čunovo, and finalised the day with a tour of the remarkable Danubiana Art Gallery on the banks of the Danube.

Three days filled with unforgettable experiences and new friendships ended with an emotional farewell in Bratislava.
At the heart of this mobility project was international collaboration and shared activities that enabled pupils to explore the theme of Water from various perspectives.

One of the outcomes was a joint project titled Water News – a multimedia Polish-Slovak news report focused on the world of water.
We believe this inspiring collaboration, made possible by the support of the Visegrad Fund, will continue to grow in the future.

A big thank you goes to everyone involved – not only the pupils, but also the teachers who actively participated in creating and implementing this mobility experience.

Peer Learning: The Green School Teaches About Seasonality and Local Food

Our first-grade classes experienced a unique and very tasty lesson! Older students from the Green School prepared an interactive class for their younger schoolmates on the topic of “Food from the Perspective of Seasonal and Local Availability.”

The entire lesson was delivered through peer learning – playfully, experientially, and with lots of smiles. 😊

The lesson reflection showed that the first-graders took away not only new knowledge but also a lot of joy and motivation to think more deeply about what they eat. ❤️

A big thank you to our talented students from the Green School for this inspiring lesson and a beautiful example of how education can look different – with care for nature, health, and local support.

OUR YEAR 7 PUPILS CAN PROVIDE FIRST AID

Our year 7 pupils completed a first aid course. During the course, they got not only acquainted with the basic theory of providing first aid in various critical situations, but they also had the opportunity to try these tasks in practice. We also thank the lecturer for sharing her own experience from many years of work in the rescue service in Slovakia and abroad.

A Huge Success for Our Students in the First Lego League Competition

Students from our LEGO robotics club once again showcased their great skills. In the regional round of the First Lego League, hosted right here at our school, they won first place and advanced to the national finals.

At the national finals, competing against the best teams from all over Slovakia, they achieved another outstanding success — winning 1st place in the Innovation Project category!

This year's theme was ocean exploration. Teams were challenged to identify a problem that scientists face while studying the oceans and design an innovative solution.

Our students connected via Skype-a-Scientist with marine biologist Sarah McAnulty, who introduced them to a real-world issue: cuttlefish kept in research tanks often contaminate their water when stressed, complicating the research process.

Our team responded by designing a model of an automated aquarium, equipped with sensors that monitor water quality and adjust it intelligently — helping researchers save time and improving conditions for the studied animals.

We are incredibly proud of their creativity, perseverance, and ability to tackle the real-world challenges of today's world.

Mr. Carrot Reads at the Dvojbodka Reading Room

A special event called Mr. Carrot Reads recently took place at our school, bringing joy to our first and second graders. Mr. Carrot visited our Dvojbodka reading room to read fun and educational stories to the children.

The students listened with great interest and actively participated in the discussion. The atmosphere was full of laughter and joy, proving that they truly enjoyed the event. Activities like this help foster a love for reading and improve text comprehension from an early age.

We’re already looking forward to the next one!

DOORS TO THE WORLD - WIDE OPEN

International projects open up a new dimension of education. They offer the opportunity to discover not only a new country and culture, but also ourselves. The opportunity to step out of one's comfort zone is a life experience that broadens the horizons of all participants.

On Monday, our Year 7 pupils went on such an adventurous mobility trip. Their journey led them to the town of Ślesina in Poland.

After a warm welcome by the head teacher and classmates from the host school, the program continued with teambuilding activities, workshops, and engaging interactive sessions. As the saying goes, sport brings people together — and our pupils got to experience this first-hand in a friendly basketball match.

An afternoon barbecue in nature opened the door to multilingual conversations, encouraging Slovak-Polish communication among the children. We ended the day full of experiences with a walk through the cultural town and a visit to a beautiful basilica, accompanied by our new friends.

We are grateful for a well-spent day, heartfelt friendships, and genuine hospitality.

This meeting was made possible thanks to the project and grant from the International Visegrad Fund – Water: The Essence of Life. All activities are funded through the Visegrad Funds.

We have been granted accreditation for the Erasmus+ programme

Accreditation makes it easier to obtain funding for international mobility over the next three years.

This recognition is not only a confirmation of our work, but also a step forward in our vision to become the School of the Future. Through mobility activities, we can significantly enhance the quality of teaching and the overall educational process.

The accreditation will enable our teachers to travel abroad and gain new experiences and inspiration on how to implement educational innovations into their teaching. Pupils will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge at partner schools abroad, discover new countries and cultures, and learn more about themselves.

Stepping out of one's comfort zone is a life-changing experience that broadens the horizons of everyone involved in the programme.

Erasmus+ also opens the door for our school to engage in international cooperation with foreign schools and various educational institutions.

Small Gestures with a Big Heart

During our religion classes, we talked with the students about how Jesus can inspire us to share love. We believe that even the smallest gestures can have great meaning.

That's why we decided to personally thank and bring joy to the school staff who, although they don't teach, are an essential part of the school’s everyday functioning.

Our first graders prepared original thank-you notes along with a small sweet treat and handed each one over personally.
The surprise, smiles, and sometimes even tears on our colleagues' faces were the most beautiful feedback we could receive.
The pride and slight nervousness that the children bravely overcame added a unique charm to these short and sweet encounters.

With these small acts, we show that gratitude, joy, and kindness still have their place in our world — and they make it a better one. ❤️

DVOJBODKA: WHERE THE LOVE FOR READING IS BORN AND LITERACY GROWS

For three years, our reading room, Dvojbodka, has been a place where books open doors to new worlds for children, where imagination flourishes, and where reading brings joy. We believe that developing literacy is the foundation of education, and that is why we strive not only to encourage children to read but also to help them build a genuine and lasting relationship with books.

How else could we celebrate this special day than with stories from various books? Our students immersed themselves in solving tasks that tested their attention and reading skills, and each class received a beautiful new book. We believe that reading nurtures the mind, sparks imagination, and opens doors to knowledge.

Dvojbodka is proof that a love for books can be cultivated and supported. May it continue to thrive and bring children the joy of reading.

Happy birthday Dvojbodka.

FIRST GRADERS BECAME OFFICIAL PEN WRITERS

FIRST GRADERS BECAME OFFICIAL PEN WRITERS

Our first graders experienced a truly special day – the Pen Ceremony! They traded in their pencils for their very first pens, officially becoming real writers.

The event featured a memorable guest – Peroslava Atramentová, who revealed the secrets of pen writing. She taught the children how to hold a pen properly, write neatly and carefully, and most importantly – with love.

Our little writers are ready – their letters are already soaring on the wings of school adventures.

We can't wait to see every word they write!

Children supported the shelter

We brought joy to the dogs and staff of the animal shelter in Trnava. It happened thanks to the earnings from the charitable Christmas market held in the school children's club. The children enthusiastically created beautiful crafts and Christmas decorations. Together with their teachers, they personally delivered the collected funds, petted a few dogs, and learned more about how the shelter operates.

Even a Small Change Can Have a Big Impact

Today, we explored the carbon footprint of food with our students. We started the day with a delicious and healthy breakfast, but this time, we also considered its environmental impact. The students weighed ingredients, examined packaging, and recorded data in tables.

Throughout the day, the topic of carbon footprint was integrated into various subjects—English, Slovak, math, and history. We discussed how our eating habits affect the environment and what we can do differently.

We are proud to be part of the Green School program, where we focus on food sustainability. We care about sustainability, which is why we incorporate it into our lessons in diverse ways.

OPEN DAY

Yesterday, you had a unique opportunity to take a closer look at life at our school. We hope you enjoyed the authentic atmosphere, met our students and teachers, explored our facilities, and gathered all the important information.

Thank you for visiting us and for your interest in our school. If you have any further questions or missed the event, feel free to contact us. We look forward to seeing you again!

Field trips

Field trips are not a given at every school, which makes us even more delighted that we can once again bring hands-on learning directly into real-world environments this school year. In January, allY1 and Y2 classes visited the Faculty of Education at Trnava University in Trnava, where they explored the mysteries of filtration, melting, and dissolving substances in school laboratories. The excitement was immense – for a moment, everyone felt like a real scientist!

Musical Oliver

Students of the Y6 and Y7 attended the theatrical performance of Oliver!

This musical, presented by Nová scéna in Bratislava, is very popular. The children had the opportunity to see a professional theatrical performance with excellent production and great acting performances. The story of the orphan Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, who finds happiness despite adversity, remains very inspiring even after nearly 200 years.