All I want for Christmas is … 1gk

Following a relaxing dream journey, Mr. Duncan, qualified and well-known cookie tester, very quickly found the best cookie of class 1gk.
During their second English afternoon, the 30 members of this year’s new CLIL class also had lots of fun with storytelling and acting and were busy making their very own colourful Christmas crackers.
At the end of a long afternoon, the grand Christmas cracker exchange was the highlight of the day. 

1^st EAA Afternoon of the fabulous 1g

For our first EAA afternoon on the 25^th of October we chose the theme Halloween. Trying to dress appropriately, the majority of the class came to school in their Halloween costumes and made the entire corridor speculate about what was going on. 
After celebrating birthdays and eating a lot of cake, 1g felt ready and strong enough to carve pumpkins and make them into scary Jack-o’-Lanterns. For the last part of the afternoon, the class did three different activities with their teachers. In small groups, they went from Mr Duncan’s spectacular mummy race to Halloween-Activity with Ms Maierbrugger and finally they moved on to Mrs Hausegger’s room, where they created skeletons and colourful posters, which can be admired in the classroom. As a grand finale, we darkened the room, lighted the Lack-o’Lanterns and enjoyed the spooky atmosphere. 

It’s wintertime!

2a-kids have been decorating their classroom with snowflake-papercuts and garlands made of cotton wool snow. Now we’re waiting for icicles to grow!
 So as not to end up completely like Elsa in the movie “Frozen”, we also heard about Christmas traditions around the world and checked out the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future from Charles Dickens’ classic story “A Christmas Carol”.

Autumn

On one of these „Indian“ golden October afternoons we found out more about some autumn festivities and traditions. Canadian Thanksgiving takes place much earlier than in the US, but provides families with even more delicious food. Guy Fawkes‘ failure to blow up the Houses of Parliament is celebrated with colourful fireworks every November in Britain. After finding out how scarecrows all over the world got their names, we dressed up and passed on our scarecrow costume to the rest of the group in a breath-taking speed competition.

This year the 3cw wanted to go abroad, at least during their EAA-afternoons.  We went to Sweden, read about different Christmas customs, discovered the Tomte and even spoke some Swedish, so everybody had a god Jul. The second afternoon focused on Australia. The students were very enthusiastic about designing their “Who am I – posters” (=describing Australian wildlife in riddle form), had a closer look at the Australian anthem and delivered wonderful performances in their “news shows”.

Second EAA afternoon – SAVE OUR PLANET

Our second project this year focused on environmental issues. This seemed particularly interesting as we should all think about our planet and future. We discussed the problems we have created, such as pollution and global warming, and tried to find solutions for them, for example through recycling and saving energy and water. The problems with plastic were also addressed and we talked about what we can do to avoid using it. We also learned about Greta Thunberg and what she is trying to achieve. 
One goal was to learn the words that you need to talk about the environment and “going green”. We worked in groups and created a vocabulary quiz and solved crosswords.
We also designed posters to show problems such as water and air pollution and how they are caused. Some students focused on recycling and reusing materials or the eco-house. We wanted to highlight the problems with plastic as well and to promote a plastic-free sea. Our motto was, of course, not to just talk about all this but to do something about the problems. We should buy locally produced food, walk or cycle more, avoid plastic and recycle things.

In our first project this year we decided to present Leibnitz. For this, we formed small groups and chose interesting places around Leibnitz. The idea was to introduce Leibnitz to our penfriends in Italy so that they would be able to see what our town has to offer. 
First, we had to decide what we wanted to say, so we did some research and then developed dialogues that we could film. This also involved some practising, but in the end, we were all pleased with our short video clips. We even learned how to edit the videos.

Health to meet you – internationales Erasmus+-Projekt am BG/BRG Leibnitz

Sechs Nationalitäten – ein Thema: Wie kann das Leben der Jugend „gesünder“ werden?
Spanien, Türkei, Kroatien, Lettland, Tschechien und Österreich. „Health to meet you“ oder auch kurz: „Heal me“ ist ein internationales Erasmus+-Projekt, das auf sechs Pfeilern steht, welche alle das Thema „healthy lifestyle“ unter einem anderen Fokus thematisieren. Sechs Schulen aus sechs verschiedenen Ländern kooperieren diesbezüglich, um den Jugendlichen Aspekte eines gesunden Lebensstils näherzubringen. Themen wie gesunde Lebensweise durch Ernährung (healthy lifestyle), Verwendung von Tablet, Smartphone und Co. (screen usage) oder auch Sport zur Gesundheitsförderung und -erhaltung sind dabei zentral. Jedes Land hat sich für die Dauer von zwei Jahren einen Schwerpunkt gewählt.
Der Kickoff zu dieser multinationalen Zusammenarbeit hat bereits Ende November 2019 in Barcelona, Spanien stattgefunden. Für dieses zweijährige Großprojekt, in welchem sich LehrerInnen und SchülerInnen des BG/BRG Leibnitz engagieren, sind mehrere sogenannte Mobilities geplant. Bei jeder Mobility reist ein Verband aus LehrerInnen oder LehrerInnen und SchülerInnen für eine Woche in eines der teilnehmenden Länder, um die Inhalte weiterzuentwickeln. Eine einzigartige Chance für internationalen Austausch und Kooperation. 
Bereits im zweiten Semester dieses Schuljahres wird der nächste Austausch mit Kroatien stattfinden. Danach folgen Mobilities nach Tschechien im Mai, im September nach Lettland und im März 2021 in die Türkei. Der krönende Projektabschluss wird vom BG/BRG Leibnitz ausgerichtet und ist für Mai 2021 anberaumt. 

Mag. Julia Zaunschirm

Leibnitz meats Croatia

In the last week of February, 8 of our pre-selected students were able to attend the Erasmus+ project “Health to meet you”, in Pozega, Croatia. This project is all about health and culture. Our stay in Croatia included a trip to Zagreb, Lipik and even sightseeing in Pozega itself.
We visited a rehab center in Lipik where people can go to recover from injuries or pain they are suffering from. We had a scientist come to the school in Pozega and she told us all about the mental and physical state of health.
Every single one of the participating countries (Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey, Latvia, Croatia and Austria) held presentations about health, but we also had free time to bond with our host families, host siblings and the other participating students.
We got to see much of Pozega’s school accomplishments, had a debate on health issues, visited museums, a university and even a research institute. This week was incredible fun, we learned a lot and got to meet amazing people.
All in all it was an unforgettable, highly educational experience which I will remember a lifetime.

By Nora Man

Pig’s eye dissection

The first mobility of our Erasmus+-participants is approaching, and our students are preparing themselves to go to Croatia and to tackle the topic “Screen usage”. In order to get a better insight into the anatomy and structure of the human eye our scientists dissected pigs‘ eyes during the biology lessons. We have to admit that it was a tiny bit gross, but also immensely interesting.

Logo Competition of `Health to meet you´

You were already able to get some insight into the work progress of our logo competition. Now it is time to see some of the results.

Health to meet you

In the current school year and the one to come, 4aw is participating in an Erasmus+-Project, which is called “Health to meet you”. Teachers and students from six countries (Austria, Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic, Latvia and Croatia) are tackling the topic of health and its various aspects but also strive to form school partnerships and international friendships. The project has already started and our EAA-students are busy working on their designs for the logo competition. Below you can get a glimpse of the works-in-progress, but stay tuned to see the final results.

Trip to Austria´s capital: Vienna

From September 30th to October 4th we explored historical places, secret alleys and many more sights in Vienna. Our program was rather intense – some might even call it stressful  – but totally worth it. We visited Schloss Schönbrunn, the Stephansdom, the Natural History Museum and much more. Amongst the places we visited were also the Prater and Time Travel Vienna, which is an interactive history lesson so to say. Sometimes we even had a bit of time for shopping or the occasional hot chocolate/ coffee to get back our strength.
The week was fun in general and we all learnt lots of new facts about Austria and Vienna. I think I speak for everyone when I say that this week in Vienna was a very special one. It was a blast!

By Nora Man

Starting with the man in the mirror

The planet is in crisis – from climate change to the pollution in our oceans and devastation of our forests. It’s up to all of us to fix it. Therefore, class 4h used their first EAA afternoon wisely and dealt with environmental issues.
The pupils calculated their individual ecological footprints and talked about measures to improve them. They also learned how urban agriculture is transforming Detroit for the better. And finally class 4h produced their own videos to make people aware of the urgency to act. Or, in the words of Michael Jackson: “I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. And no message could have been any clearer: If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change!” 

Mag. Gerlinde Zimmermann

London Project

After four years of a Content-Language-Integrated-Learning-Programme using English as a working language across the subjects of grammar school, the students of 5A went abroad for the first time to use their language skills in an authentic setting, to demonstrate their comprehension skills in London’s museums and to observe state-of-the-art digital techniques which they hope to apply to our local tourism setting back home in our town of Leibnitz.
The Science museum’s Wonderlab explained scientific phenomena in hands-on experiments as well as offers digitally-enhanced exhibitions and virtual reality experiences. Topics at hand touched on the development of Information technology, secret communication and intelligence work supplemented with an interactive puzzle zone, but also students’ own future and career prospects.
The Museum of London presented the history of the city of London in traditional galleries and guided tours but also provided a fully immersive multi-sensory digital installation with video projection mapping on the beasts of London through history.
Finally, the British Museum proved to be the showcase haven of all Ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian history and showed off the famous Rosetta stone which helped to decode Egyptian hieroglyphs.
In addition, there was time to see London’s most important sights.
This book is both resource and documentation tool that was used in preparing for this trip, on-the-go for documenting learning results as well as a presentation product back home. In addition, we are aiming at compiling texts, pictures, animations, integrated presentations in e-books and developing application-guided interactive information activities for our immediate home environment, in order to add a digitally enhanced focus on our students’ history, science and language education.

Mag. Dr. Eva Lechner, Mag. Dr. Karin Kronabitter, Mag. Florian Plasch

5ek had a very busy start into the new school year (2018/19) 

All students who had decided on attending the EAA-class in Klostergasse (Realgymnasium) by the end of June 2018 had an intensive English workshop with English in Action and all the other students who were not quite certain if they should join the class had an intensive workshop with Mrs. Clark and Mr. Pratl. Both groups were preparing presentations for the parents´evening in the first week, which was a great success. Our headmaster, Mr. Wieser , was present at the evening and so was Ms. Lechner, who was watching very closely what had become of her first interviewees four years before, when the first EAA-classes were established at the BG/BRG Leibnitz. 

Celia Edwards from English in Action took students on a journey through England and its somewhat strange inhabitants, covering topics like iconic Britain, shopping in the UK, sports, schools, television, the Royal Family, London and music. For the parents´evening students prepared exciting experiments and presentations on interesting facts about life, such as how to put on make-up properly and how to play the violin beautifully. Quizzes about the Royal Family and the preparation of a 5-minute cake were amongst the hightlights of this evening as the audience was allowed to participate and were rewarded for right guesses. To round off the whole project week the original EAA-group performed a new version of Snow White as a team performance (everybody had a part). It was very interesting to see the play unfold as a team effort and how students had become more enthusiastic about performing it in the course of the week. The outfits turned out fantastic too thanks to the support of some mums. Thank you! 

Mrs. Clark and Mr.Pratl focussed on language training and talked about music, hobbies, revised some grammar and also prepared sketches. Even though students felt that they were no great actors their performance was really good and captured on film, which we all enjoyed watching at the end of this exciting and exhausting week.  

Enjoy the photos who were partly taken by Lukas Klopfer, Mrs Clark and Mr Pratl

Observation of Earthworms

At first sight, earthworms seem to be relatively simple organisms. However, the truth is that many parts of their lives are still a mystery to scientists. Why do we see so many earthworms when it rains? Do they just like rain or do the raindrops sound like approaching predators to them? The EAA-students of 5ek took a closer look at earthworms and investigated how they react to diluted vinegar and what this tells us about the kinds of soil they are found in – because surely you have noticed that you do not find earthworms in every soil. You can see our researchers at work in the pictures below. 

#Leibnitzmeetsamsterdam 

The 6aw class spent a week in Amsterdam to kick off their Erasmus+ project “Am Wege zur Europäischen Interkulturalität – Aufzeigen von Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschieden”. 
During this week our students gathered insights about the Dutch culture and customs, while using their English skills to communicate with their host families. They had the chance to explore Amsterdam in the most Dutch-way possible – by bike. Furthermore, our students got to tour through Amsterdam’s beautiful canals via boat – an unforgettable experience. Additionally many cultural highlights graced their itinerary – the Rijksmuseum, the van Gogh – Museum, Texel island (on the UNESCO World Heritage list) and the famous Anne-Frank-House. 
Thank you to our partners at Spinoza Lyceum Amsterdam for the unforgettable week.

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Our trip to Amsterdam
Thanks to our participation in the Erasmus + project, which has been supported by the European Union, our class was able to take part in an exciting school exchange with the Spinoza Lyceum in Amsterdam.
In March the Dutch students had visited us in Leibnitz, therefore we traveled all the way up to Amsterdam and stayed there during the third week of September. Amsterdam is an unbelievably beautiful city full of open-minded people, who all have a really good taste in fashion.
During the day we did lots of exciting and interesting activities, as for example a bike tour through the city or a visit at the Anne Frank House. Yet, at night we didn’t stay at a random youth hostel or a hotel, we lived with our host students. This was great, because it made us feel less of a tourist.
We started our week in Amsterdam by taking a paddleboat- tour in the canals, later that week we visited the Van Gogh- as well as the Rijksmuseum and we even spent a day at the beach of the beautiful island of Texel.
I’m quite sure all of us had an amazing time, because even though we had a packed schedule we were able to hang out with the Dutch kids and they could show us “their” Amsterdam.

Theresa Sackl-Gutruf, 6aW

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Amsterdam
Visiting the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House, exploring canals with paddle boats, having a guided bike tour through the city and enjoying the amazing view of the beach on the island of Texel were only a few things that we did throughout our exchange trip to Amsterdam. 
This popular city is completely unique with its kind and courteous people, the movement of vehicles and bicycles as well as its multicultural and ethnic diversity. Compared to Austria, Amsterdam has many cultural differences that I got to know this week. 
Something that I am very envious of are the schools. They are much more impressive and also are furnished with highly advanced technology in contrast to our schools in Austria. I am really happy to have experienced such an interesting and instructive journey and I would visit Amsterdam any time again. 

Leonie Wagner, 6aW

CoSA – Center of Science Activities

Designing a car, taking care of patients and testing various scientific phenomena is possible  at CoSA, a new and highly innovative section in the Universalmuseum Joanneum. These are just a few reasons why the 6ek visited the museum on March 4^th together with their science teachers Mr. Pratl and Ms. Brandstätter. Studying science in theory is fine, but nothing is better than a hands-on approach. Some impressions of the informative day can be seen below.

Christmas is coming to the NWL-Lab

Baking Christmas cookies is a beloved Christmas tradition, which we hold dearly. However, this year we decided that `normal´ Christmas cookies are too mainstream and therefore created our own delicious interpretations ranging from carrots and `space-colored´ stars to dragons and olive-colored moose. The science of cooking is an interesting topic and it also teaches us to improvise. For example, if you run out of flour to sprinkle the countertop, just use icing sugar as a sweet substitute. 

A yeast(y) lab experience

Who would have thought that lab lessons could be so yummy? Well, at least the taste buds of Americans or Britons would think so… We in 6ek, however, were less certain about the rather interesting taste of Marmite and Vegemite (both are basically pure yeast extract) which we tried when we investigated yeast and its usage. Yeast might look nice under the microscope, but our breakfasts certainly have to stay clear of it!