“Saint Martin’s Day” (German: “Martinstag”) is a much-anticipated celebration at the school, as it heralds the Christmas season and creates an atmosphere of mystery and faith in doing good. On that day, every student could try pastries baked by their parents, distinguished especially by their filling of white poppy seeds, dried fruit and nuts. Members of the Parents’ Council were responsible for selling St. Martin’s croissants.
The Student Council, together with its supervisors Adrian Banyś and Agnieszka Markowicz, prepared a special meeting with grades I–III for the celebration. During the meeting, students learned about the most important events in the life of St. Martin in Polish, German and English. The children watched a multimedia presentation and even a fairy-tale version of the legend of St. Martin, which they followed with great attention and interest. The students performed songs known in German schools, “Ich geh’ mit meiner Laterne” and “Laternenlicht”. Musical accompaniment prepared by Halina Rudzik was also provided. The children’s choir performed religious songs: “Ja jestem”, “Najlepsza modlitwa na świecie” and “Święty uśmiechnięty”. Meanwhile, representatives of the older grades introduced the students to the history of St. Martin and the traditions and customs associated with the celebration. The young people created a poster about the saint using German vocabulary. Children from Municipal Public Kindergarten No. 3, supervised by religion teacher Halina Rudzik, also took part in this year’s event.
As part of the project activities, the teachers offered students numerous activities involving modern information and communication technologies, which not only entertain but also facilitate learning, the acquisition of new skills and communication. Among other things, the children used a multimedia board to learn about the traditions and customs associated with “Saint Martin’s Day” in German-speaking countries. The students also took part in classes conducted by school representatives of the Bolesławiec Youth City Council and the Student Council, entitled “Following in the Footsteps of Saint Martin – Traditions and Customs”, under the supervision of German teacher Adrian Banyś.
The grades I–III, in turn, participated in joint art workshops aimed at making lanterns similar to those carried by children in schools in German-speaking countries during processions held for “Saint Martin’s Day”. Interesting works were created during the classes and displayed in the school corridors. At the end of the project, the students took part in a procession, carrying the lanterns they had made and singing songs associated with the celebration.
This year, in keeping with tradition and following in the footsteps of St. Martin, who shared his cloak with a freezing beggar, half of the funds raised from the sale of the pastries was donated by the Parents’ Council to help children in Africa as part of the “Pontifical Missionary Childhood” campaign. The other half of the funds raised will be used for the school’s educational needs.
The main aim of the project was to introduce the student community to St. Martin and his work bringing goodness to other people, as well as to familiarize students with the culture and traditions of German-speaking countries. An important aspect of the educational activities was fostering positive attitudes among students, such as sensitivity to the needs and problems of their peers living in Africa, and developing creativity and cooperation through the pursuit of common goals.
The specific objectives of the project were to stimulate students’ interest in another culture, enrich their foreign-language vocabulary, foster positive attitudes and build common goals, develop children’s artistic creativity and cooperation with the entire school community, and use modern information and communication technologies in teaching.
The project coordinators extend their special thanks to the parents who baked and sold the pastries, as well as to the students and teachers for their commitment and assistance in carrying out the project.