Erasmus+

Design the Positive: Positive Thinking, Positive Communication and Positive School Spaces
4th November 2024 – 9th November 2024

Our course about Positive Thinking was held at the Europass Teacher Academy in Florence.  Twelve participants attended this course, hailing from Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania and of course, Malta.

Our course tutor was Roberta Begliomini, a very charismatic person, who managed to engage all the course participants.  The principle aim of the course was to bring out the positive in oneself and by doing so, discovering the positive in those around you.

The course was divided into sessions, each focusing on different aspects of positive communication. These included group discussions, practical exercises and visual lectures, including watching parts of popular films, which we had to discuss afterwards. The course was made more interesting when we changed the venue of the lessons.  We went to a children’s library and an art museum where we had to do some thought-provoking exercises.

In our case, since we are not teachers, we had to adapt the lectures and tasks to working in the office. The tutor went out of her way to enable us to do this. 

We enjoyed the course, and we participated as much as possible.  Since Florence is such an alluring city, we had a lot of places to visit in the afternoons.  We visited the piazzas, including the magnificent Piazzale Michelangelo, whereby you can see the whole of Florence underneath.    

The Cathedrals and the museums with incredible art, like Palazzo Pitti and the surrounding gardens.  A visit to the Ponte Vecchio was also a must.

We recommend other members of staff consider this course and, like us, experience the city of Florence, while attending a very interesting course.

Ms Michelle Parnis & Ms Monica Scicluna

Erasmus+ Student Mobility Programme – Exploring Performing Arts in France
23rd November 2024 – 30th November 2024

During this student mobility programme, students were given the opportunity to participate in various activities incorporating not only different forms of arts which include theatre, music and dance but also cultural activities within a foreign setup together with foreign students.

Apart from visiting some of the main historical monuments in Paris, students visited the Opéra Garnier, a historic opera house, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Theatre Rive Gauche whose director, Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, is a French novelist and playwright.

They were encouraged to learn about the 19^th and 20^th century performances held during the Exposition Internationale and about the Medieval theatre and medieval guilds which were instrumental for street religious performances and drama.

Through these activities students were motivated to enhance their cultural knowledge, their knowledge of the theatre and performance activities in different spaces and to learn how to use different forms of transportation such as the train and underground system.

During this experience, students followed various lessons at the Lycée Jeanne d’Arc and at the Conservatoire de Rouen. Students could observe and participate in the school life of a French sixth form.  Moreover, students were stimulated to explore their artistic skills at the Conservatoire de Rouen, a region conservatory which specializes in Music, Theatre and Dance.

Students also participated in a guided tour and historical treasure hunt in the historic centre of Rouen and the Fine Arts Museum guided by a historian who informed the students about the important historical places and helped them to discover the works of the great French Impressionist artists. This visit included the Place du Vieux Marché, the square where Joan of Arc was burned alive. Furthermore, students were able to learn about the life and death of Joan of Arc and about medieval performances which took place in this city during the French medieval period.

Throughout this experience, students were given the opportunity to participate in various performing exercises, training and workshops with other foreign students which included:

• exploring their spatial dynamics and performing space through a hands-on activity by working on extracts from Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie;
• miming at a private theatre school;
• participating in various actor training activities including voice projection, improvisation, diction, interpreting a performing text and exploring their musical skills;
• attending various theatrical performances followed by a Q&A with the directors and other performers (of which various school plays, the play White Dog at the Centre Dramatique National theatre in Rouen and Mes Petits Operas in Paris);
• participating in a choreography for the West Side Story – The Musical.
• having a first-hand experience and seeing the theatre-sets, backstage and exploring different aspects of theatre productions;
• visiting the Centre Dramatique National de Normandie laboratory and participating in various dancing and theatrical workshops;
• undergoing a process of actor training with various practitioners, directors and teachers;
• doing various music appreciation exercises and hands-on activities such as choir singing, playing in an orchestra and voice training exercises.

Ms Celine McCarthy & Mr Stefan Caruana

Discover the 7Cs: Learning for life (and work) in the 21^st century
10^th March 2025 – 15^th March 2025

This five-day course started off by meeting course participants hailing from Latvia, Greece and Malta. We kick started the sessions by presentations and ice-breaking activities to get to know each other.

During this course of studies, we acquired knowledge on how to innovate academic content by gaining a systematic understanding of 7 of the most important soft skills in the 21st century as a response to migration and rapid technological development, which boosted the demand for the creation of a school system based not only on knowledge, but also on the principles of competency.

The sessions included practical activities which we can adopt in class to make our lessons more engaging and at the same time impart skills such as: communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, computer and digital literacy and career skills which students can learn for life.

The Europass Teacher Academy located on the Buda side of the beautiful city of Budapest hosted us and co-ordinated the course, taking care to include cultural activities: a walking tour round Buda Castle, Fishermen Bastions, Mattias Church.

We were also invited to a river cruise on the Danube. In our free time we explored several historical gems like St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Jewish Quarters, Gellert Hill and the Fine Arts Museum. We also savoured some traditional Hungarian cuisine.

Ms Piera Xuereb & Ms Maria Axiaq

Design the Positive: Positive Thinking, Positive Communication and Positive School Spaces
10^th March 2025 – 15^th March 2025

Our course ‘Design the Positive’ took place at the Europass Teacher Academy in Barcelona. It was attended by thirteen participants from Bulgaria, Finland, Slovenia, Ireland, Belgium, Greece, Romania, and, of course, Malta.

Our course tutor, Federica, was a highly charismatic and engaging instructor who ensured that all participants were actively involved. The main objective of the course was to help individuals recognize and embrace positivity within themselves, which, in turn, allows them to see the positive qualities in those around them.

The course was structured into various sessions, each focusing on different aspects of positive communication. These sessions included group discussions, hands-on exercises, and visual presentations.

Adding to the uniqueness of the experience, some lessons were held outside the classroom. We visited a yoga studio for a mindfulness exercise and a design museum, where we engaged in stimulating activities that encouraged creative thinking. These changes in setting made the course even more engaging and enjoyable. We actively took part in all sessions and truly appreciated the learning experience.

Since Barcelona is such a beautiful city, we made the most of our free afternoons by exploring its many attractions. We visited lively piazzas, the breathtaking Sagrada Família by the renowned architect Gaudí, the famous Las Ramblas, and the stunning Park Güell.

We highly recommend this course to other staff members. Not only was it an enriching learning experience, but it also gave us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Barcelona.

Ms Marouska Vella & Ms Jacqueline Scicluna

Diving into the Healing Power of Books
21st April 2025 – 26th April 2025

I recently attended a course in Athens, “Help Your Students Cope with Stress & Anxiety Thanks to Bibliotherapy”, led by Lilia Dimaraki. This insightful 30-hour program explored the use of literature to enhance emotional well-being.

Connecting with educators from various countries, the four-day course provided a comprehensive understanding of bibliotherapy’s principles and practical classroom application. We learned to select appropriate books and the teacher’s crucial role in this process. Engaging sample lessons exposed us to the methodology utilised for bibliotherapy instruction, alongside a valuable workshop on presenting sessions and planning activities that nurture critical thinking through quality literature.

A key element involved designing personalised bibliotherapy lesson plans for our school communities, fostering a rich exchange of ideas. The course concluded with an evaluation and cultural exploration of captivating Athens.

This Erasmus deepened my understanding of literature’s therapeutic potential for students’ mental, emotional, and social growth. I gained practical skills in using literature for stress management, fostering resilience by discussing characters’ emotions, understanding bibliotherapy’s classroom application, and recognising my role as a facilitator. I also learned to integrate bibliotherapy into the curriculum and evaluate books for their suitability.

My time in Athens was both academically and culturally enriching. I am eager to apply these new skills to support my students’ well-being through the power of stories, believing this Erasmus journey will positively impact my classroom practice.

Mr Christopher Giorgio