The first day of the 2nd project meeting
was focused on the presentation of school Gymnázium-Gimnázium Kráľovský Chlmec, its place in the system of
education of Slovakia and its unique profile providing 4 blocks of practical
subjects despite the fact of being a secondary grammar high school whose aim is
normally to prepare learners for university studies.
The presentation on the school and its
policy was followed by two mini-presentations of two hosts – both of them
former students at our school. Mr Tamás Juhász told the participants about his
studies at our school and explained how these shaped his present-day studies
and interests.
The other 2 guests, current learners at
our grammar school, presented our physical and virtual guests their idea of the
student firm. Led by their teacher, Ms Bernadeta Oláhová, their company called
Nest BnB makes and sells swallow nests. The
guests could get an insight to the process of nest-making, but also learnt how
the company is being managed by a team of students who are learning this school
year what it is like to run a business. They summed up the whole process of
setting up the student company. However, they left their presentation
“open-ended” as their business is still running.
The students´ presentation was followed
by two professionals: two psychologists. Firstly, an expert from the Pedagogical Counselling and Prevention Center clarified the participants how the center workers help individuals, schools and different
institutions find the right career pathways. The second expert was our grammar
school´s psychologist. She outlined the main functions of her work: helping the
learners the process of settling in when starting their studies, guiding them
through the years of adolescence and providing professional guidance in
questions of professional orientation and career counselling.
The first day was closed by a guided visit
of the school building. The physical participants could have a look at the
classrooms, the teaching process itself, laboratories and the surroundings of
our school as well as the showcase of some products of our students´ hard work
during the classes of practical subjects.
The second day started with a lecture held
by Mrs Grünwaldová-Kaduková from the Office of
Labour, Social Affairs and Family. She
described how the office helps people of all age groups find jobs or
re-qualification opportunities. The expert also enlisted several benefits
provided by the Ministry of Labour for job seekers. Mrs Grunwaldová
Kaduková is the author of the so-called “balloon method” which has shown to be
very helpful when providing career guidance for job seekers. The method helps
the participants of sessions reveal their strengths, weaknesses, or potential.
Eventually, it can trigger the process of self-understanding and realizing
which career pathways can be good choices for individuals.
The lecture-workshop was followed by a
presentation of one of our former students. Mr Tomáš Kanócz spoke about the importance of learning foreign languages
and combining them with practical subjects – ICT, technology – but also
necessary soft skills. The young man represents the new generation of employees
ready to work from home, eager to be flexible enough to cope with changing
working time and always seeking new opportunities of self-development. The
young engineer is a living proof of a professional who does not forget where he
comes from and feels grateful for the hours spent studying certain subjects
with his teachers and mentors.
These two lectures were to be followed by
two excursions: one into a local firm dealing with printing on different
surfaces, preparing graphics and providing photography related services, such
as photo shooting and creating portfolios (Graphic Design). The second
excursion was planned to the nearby town of Čierna and Tisou, home of a
transshipment station where goods transported from Ukraine are transshipped.
These excursions, however, needed to be cancelled; the first because of a
sudden COVID-19 outburst in the firm, the second because of the disturbed
logistics of the station related to the state of emergency connected to the
Ukrainian estate of war.
We believe that, despite our incapacity
to fulfill the planned programme, the visitors – both physical and virtual –
enjoyed their stay at our place and could take a little inspiration from our
lecturing guests and hosting management and teacher staff.
