Some cities are not studied — they are lived. Rome is one of them. From 9 to 13 February, 42 Latin students from classes S4, S5 and S6 discovered this first-hand, spending five days immersed in the stones, reliefs and silences of a city that still bears the marks of the ancient world. Accompanying them were teachers Fabia Geslao, Marie Cerati and Markus Binn.

The programme was rich and varied. All groups visited the Roman Forum, the beating heart of the ancient city, the Capitoline Museums, the Ara Pacis, the houses on the Caelian Hill and the catacombs of San Sebastiano along the Via Appia, as well as Ostia Antica and the majestic Baths of Caracalla. But Rome was not only culture from a textbook: there was also time to stroll through the historic centre, wander the alleyways and, of course, taste pizza and the dishes of the Roman culinary tradition.

Among the most powerful moments of the week, the statues in the Capitoline Museums left a lasting impression: coming face to face with works known only through the pages of books is an experience that is hard to put into words. Equally striking was the visit to the Baths of Caracalla, where the monumental scale of the spaces still conveys something of the grandeur of the empire that created them.

A quieter, though no less moving, discovery came at the Ara Pacis: the reliefs conceal details that escape a hurried glance, and in some places it is still possible to spot traces of the original colour. A valuable reminder that ancient art was not the white and monochromatic thing we so often picture it to be.

For the S6 students, this trip carried a special meaning: though they had left Latin behind the previous year, they seized the opportunity to return to those texts and that history with fresh eyes, rediscovering something they had never quite forgotten.

Rome is generous with those who visit it with curiosity. This week was proof of that.

The European Science Symposium (ESSS 2026), held in Brussels (EEB2) from March 8th to 11th, brought together young scientists from across the European Schools in an inspiring celebration of innovation and discovery. Our school was proudly represented by three outstanding projects: one in the junior category (S1–S4) and two in the senior category (S5–S7).

The projects explored a diverse range of fascinating topics, including the use of wax worms to break down plastic as a potential solution to environmental challenges, the Stroop effect as a means of better understanding bilingual brain capacities, and the development of a CO₂ footprint calculator for food through programming. The students’ posters are currently displayed at the entrance of our school’s main building.

Overall, the symposium was an incredibly energising and enriching experience. The creativity, scientific rigour, and originality demonstrated by students from across the European Schools were truly impressive. It not only highlighted the remarkable potential of young scientists but also inspired us to continue exploring, questioning, and innovating in the world of science.

Just before the February break, nearly 650 primary pupils from P1 to P5 celebrated Carnival together in a joyful and colourful event.

With dancings, a costume catwalk, a lively talent show and several sport games stations such as hula-hoops, climbing wall, jumping-balls, bullseye, bowling, goal shooting or steppers, the day was filled up with laughter, creativity and great school spirit.

A big thank you to our sports teachers for the organization and to the supportive class teachers and parents for making this wonderful celebration possible.

We’re already looking forward to seeing you next year!

Thank you! 

Click here for document with more pictures of the event.

Someone who reads for 20 minutes every day is exposed to around 1,800,000 words a year. If they read for only 5 minutes a day, it’s just about 300,000 words. The difference is enormous, isn’t it?

Reading is undoubtedly a key to success – not only at school. Inspired by our school librarian, Ms Bärbel MacWilliams, who has organised the Best Book Challenge for the seventh time, we had the opportunity to put this “reading counter” into practice. The competition invited students from classes S1, S2, S3 and S4 to pick up books from the library and share their opinions about them.

A critical eye could praise an album about Robert Lewandowski’s football achievements or point out the weaknesses of an outdated make-up guide by Bobbi Brown. What mattered most, however, was simply taking a book in hand, reading it, and writing a short review for the library catalogue.

This year, the most active readers included SWALS Polish students. They won all the prizes allocated to their group and also achieved third place among all participants. The prize draw was full of excitement. We were delighted when luck smiled on Julianna, Ewa, Florian and Jan.

For everyone else, there is always next year – and plenty of time to keep their reading counters running.

We encourage everyone to take part in the next edition. Reading truly opens doors – to knowledge, imagination and success.

On Wednesday, 26^th November, the P5 classes from the Italian and Spanish sections visited the ECB. Martin taught us many things about EU banknotes and coins, and while we were there, we were lucky enough to coincide with an institutional visit by Ms Christine Lagarde, who kindly took a photo with us. Many thanks to everyone who made this visit possible. It will certainly be unforgettable.

Serena Affaitati, Bachelière 2025 della Sezione Italiana, è stata insignita dal Presidente della Repubblica Italiana del prestigioso titolo di “Alfieri del Lavoro”, rientrando tra i 25 studenti selezionati in tutta Italia per l’edizione 2025. 

 Il premio Alfieri del Lavoro rappresenta una delle massime onorificenze alla quale un neodiplomato italiano possa aspirare. Istituito ufficialmente nel 1961 dalla Federazione Nazionale dei Cavalieri del Lavoro e conferito dal Presidente della Repubblica, il riconoscimento punta a valorizzare i giovani più meritevoli, sottolineando come impegno, dedizione e talento possano diventare chiavi di volta per la crescita non solo individuale ma anche collettiva. L’edizione del 2025 vede ancora una volta confermato il valore simbolico e sociale di questa celebrazione. 

Il percorso per diventare Alfieri del Lavoro è articolato e selettivo: coinvolge studenti che si sono distinti con risultati di assoluta eccellenza sia nel corso degli studi superiori, sia nella partecipazione ad attività extra-curriculari, in ambito scientifico, artistico, sportivo e sociale. 

Am Donnerstag, den 19. Oktober 2025, fand in unserer Schule die sechste Ausgabe der Grande Lessive statt. Ein internationales Gemeinschaftsprojekt, bei dem sich alle um ein kreatives Thema versammeln können. Das Thema dieser Ausgabe: Nacht und Tag, über Licht nachdenken! An der französischsprachigen Grundschule nahmen Klassen aus allen Sprachabteilungen teil.

Wir sehen uns im März 2026, hoffentlich noch zahlreicher!

Die französischsprachige Grundschule

Dal 30 settembre al 3 ottobre 2025, un gruppo di studenti delle classi S7 della Scuola Europea di Francoforte, accompagnati dai docenti Fabia Geslao e Alessandro Zangrossi, ha partecipato alle giornate di “Memorie attive. XII Giornata della Memoria e dell’Accoglienza”, organizzate dal Comitato 3 ottobre in ricordo della tragedia del 3 ottobre 2013, quando un barcone di migranti naufragò a largo di Lampedusa provocando la morte di oltre 368 persone.

L’iniziativa ha coinvolto circa 800 studenti provenienti da scuole italiane ed europee, insieme ad esperti, testimoni e rappresentanti di organizzazioni internazionali come UNHCR, UNICEF, Save the Children, Emergency e Croce Rossa Italiana.

La scuola Europea di Francoforte partecipa a questo evento dal 2018 coinvolgendo alunni e alunne di tutte le sezioni linguistiche

Le giornate sono state arricchite da tavole rotonde e momenti di dialogo che hanno visto la partecipazione di attivisti, giornalisti, autorità e sopravvissuti, offrendo ai ragazzi la possibilità di confrontarsi direttamente con chi vive quotidianamente le conseguenze dei fenomeni migratori.

Tra le iniziative più toccanti, la performance teatrale “La cassa di cemento”, scritta e diretta da Alessandro Ienzi, con protagonista Lorent Saleh, attivista venezuelano e rifugiato politico in Spagna, e quella musicale dei licei di Pesaro, Urbino e Fano hanno suscitato profonda emozione e riflessione.

Gli studenti hanno inoltre preso parte a workshop e laboratori promossi da associazioni, testimoni e da università come quelle di Bari e Milano, che avevano l’obiettivo di sensibilizzare i giovani sulla realtà dell’immigrazione e di far loro comprendere quanto spesso le narrazioni mediatiche si discostino dalla verità dei fatti.

Il 3 ottobre, giornata simbolo, si è svolta la marcia verso la Porta d’Europa, seguita da un momento di raccoglimento di fronte al mare — un mare che unisce popoli e culture, ma che troppo spesso diventa confine e ostacolo per chi cerca speranza e futuro.

Dal punto di vista didattico, l’esperienza di Lampedusa ha rappresentato un’importante occasione di apprendimento esperienziale e civico.

Gli studenti hanno potuto sviluppare competenze trasversali legate alla comprensione dei fenomeni sociali contemporanei, alla riflessione critica sui diritti umani e alla capacità di empatia e dialogo interculturale.
Il confronto diretto con testimoni e operatori del settore ha permesso di trasformare concetti come migrazione, accoglienza e integrazione in esperienze concrete e significative, favorendo una maggiore consapevolezza del proprio ruolo di cittadini europei e globali.

I docenti partecipanti hanno inoltre previsto momenti di rielaborazione in classe, attraverso attività di scrittura, dibattiti e progetti multimediali, per consolidare quanto appreso e dare voce alle riflessioni personali dei ragazzi.

Queste intense giornate hanno rappresentato un’esperienza profonda di memoria, empatia e consapevolezza, lasciando nei partecipanti un segno indelebile.

Come hanno sottolineato gli insegnanti accompagnatori, “abbiamo vissuto con emozione e coinvolgimento questa esperienza, molto più di quanto immaginassimo. Ha risvegliato in tutti noi quel senso di filantropia, inteso come autentico amore per l’essere umano, che oggi più che mai è importante mantenere vivo”.

Fabia Geslao – Alessandro Zangrossi, teachers

Together with about sixty students from six other European schools, nine S5 students took part in Erasmus Maris Week 2025 (September 14^th to 20^th). The week provided a unique opportunity to combine biology learning with practical work, while also raising awareness about the global challenge of microplastic pollution.

The program mixed science with outdoor activities such as sailing, kayaking, rowing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Out on the water, the students collected samples from boats and then brought them back to the lab to study. With the help of experts from the Joint Research Centre (JRC), University of Ghent and University of Liege they learned how to process the samples and look for microplastics. 

The base for this trip was the Nautical Club of Burriana in Castellón, Spain. There were both classrooms and labs for studying, and a waterfront for practical work. Switching between learning indoors and being active outdoors made the week varied and interesting.

One of the main changes to last year’s trip was earning the "Erasmus Maris 2025: from sampling and analysis of microplastics to data" certificate endorsed by UNESCO-Ocean Teacher Global Academy through the completion of several quizzes about what they had learned, which made the experience more educational and rewarding.

Besides the science, the week was also about people. Spending time with students from other countries who share the similar interests gave everyone the opportunity to make new friends. Promoting teamwork, problem-solving, and collaboration Erasmus Maris Week 2025 sucessful and meaningful experience to all of the participants participated.

“Erasmus Maris was a great experience — I really enjoyed going to the sea and learning about microplastics through hands-on activities.” — Olivia Verstraeten

 “I will truly never forgot my time during the erasmus maris week! It was a perfect blend of fun, education,work,disicpline and most of all memories Ill always cherish! I learnt lots about microplastics and their effects and truly felt privellidged to part take in erasmus maris! If there is any advice I can give to esf students, its to sign up for it!! It was truly an amazing experience at time!!”— Philip McAdam

“Taking part in Eramus Maris was such a rewarding adventure. I had the chance to connect with new friends, explore unfamiliar experiences, gain valuable knowledge, and enjoy every moment along the way.” — Maarten Annendijck

“Erasmus Maris Week 2025 was an amazing experience that combined education and fun! I learnt a lot about microplastics and our environment, developed new skills, and enjoyed meeting new people, I’d highly recommend younger students to participate.” — Kajetan Hermann   

"Erasmus Maris was a very informative experience, as we got to work with professionals to research microplastics in the sea and met people from other European Schools. It was both fun and interesting, and I would highly recommend anybody who has the opportunity to participate to do it." — Carlota Miragall Martínez