Holistic Health: the way towards a physically and mentally healthy school

We had three goals: In terms of content, we wanted the pupils to develop their language skills in Spanish and English. We also wanted them to engage intensively and in different ways with the topi...

We had three goals: In terms of content, we wanted the pupils to develop their language skills in Spanish and English. We also wanted them to engage intensively and in different ways with the topic of "healthy and sustainable lifestyles". Aspects that were particularly important to us included healthy, seasonal, local food, the importance of exercise for body and mind and a positive attitude towards life. In both Valencia and Schopfheim, it was always important to consider how a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle could be implemented and introduced at school. The second objective had a social aspect: the intensive cooperation between the young people and the teachers was intended to train independence, communication skills and the ability to work in a team in an international context. The third aspect was aimed at the methodology: the pupils were to work together both digitally and analogue. They should familiarise themselves with the digital tools of the e-book creator and Audacity in order to be able to create digital end products. However, we also wanted them to collaborate and discuss directly in the foreign language.

Various activities were organised for the school community at the THG in Schopfheim and at Ramón Llull in Valencia. A series of lectures on the four aspects of the project was organised at the THG. In addition, the project supported the launch of the bicycle workshop by pupils for pupils and the realisation of the idea of a school garden. In cooperation with the parents of the THG pupils, it was financed so that the pupils could get free apples in the cafeteria every day during all breaks. In Valencia, the idea of an active break was supported with table tennis tables, basketballs, etc. There was also a free fruit for every pupil from October to March. Sustainable lunch boxes were also purchased. Organic waste containers were also purchased to promote waste reduction at the school. During their stay in Spain, the pupils visited the Albufera biosphere and the science museum in Valencia. Beachball tournaments were organised as a joint sporting activity. During the Spaniards' visit to Schopfheim, they visited an organic farm, went shopping together at a local and seasonal market and then cooked "Spätzle" and organised a bike tour.

In Spain, the pupils created podcasts in small groups on various aspects of the project (healthy lifestyle, exercise, positive psychology...). In Valencia, a survey was created and evaluated on what the students' diet looks like. In Germany, various e-books were produced at the end of the exchange to summarize the knowledge gained by the students through the various activities during the exchange, but also through the project throughout the school year. As both the e-books and the podcasts were written in English or Spanish, the pupils were able to improve their language skills. Both the pupils in Valencia and in Schopfheim also wrote a diary about their time together and the activities. The teachers created photo diaries about the activities at the two schools. The podcasts and e-books are also available to the school community by being shown or listened to by teachers in the respective subject lessons. The pupils have thus been able to improve their linguistic, social, cultural and digital skills (4C skills). They have learned about the personal benefits of EU membership.