The Student Council at Kolegium Europejskie

Today, the Student Council at Kolegium Europejskie is far more than a formal representation of students – it is a space of real autonomy, responsibility, and the development of future-oriented competencies. From the perspective of the Student Council Advisor, I proudly observe how, year after year, our students increasingly take responsibility, develop their talents, and turn ideas into real actions.

My role is to accompany them throughout this process by offering support, coordinating activities, and strengthening their potential so they can act consciously and with a sense of purpose. Each project becomes a space for learning, making mistakes, drawing conclusions, and building self-confidence. Students develop agency, responsibility, and collaboration skills, while I have the privilege of “giving wings” to their passions, ambitions, and courage to reach for more. Observing their engagement, maturity, and social sensitivity, I am confident that the experiences gained here will serve as a strong foundation for their further education and adult lives. All the initiatives they undertake demonstrate that school can be a place where young people not only acquire knowledge but also develop civic attitudes, empathy, and readiness to face the challenges of the modern world. It is in such an environment that future leaders grow—aware, responsible, and engaged.

Ongoing Projects

UNESCO International Day for Tolerance

Our daily life as a multicultural school involves constant interaction with diversity of languages, cultures, views, and experiences. This environment shapes our sensitivity, openness, and way of perceiving the world. Each year in November, the Student Council celebrates the UNESCO International Day for Tolerance, highlighting the importance of mutual respect and dialogue in today’s world.

On this occasion, students jointly develop the concept, script, and production of a social awareness video aimed at promoting awareness of the value of diversity and drawing inspiration from it. This project provides a space for creative expression, collaboration, and reflection on what tolerance means in everyday life.

For our community, tolerance means not only acceptance, but above all respect and appreciation of cultural differences, various forms of self-expression, and individual ways of being. Through discussions and activities accompanying the initiative, we address topics such as human rights, equality, and social responsibility, emphasizing that diversity is a natural part of the world and that tolerance enables us to build a community based on understanding, empathy, and unity.

Spot 2024:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCpfI1sukrd/?igsh=azN5anpkcWN3cnE5

Youth for Youth

Youth for Youth is a project created by a group of students whose goal is to build, together with their peers, an inclusive, safe, and supportive community at Kolegium Europejskie. The first edition of the initiative emerged from the need to create a space where every student can feel comfortable and accepted.

Under the guidance of the school Pedagogue and the Student Council Advisor, students addressed the issue of hate speech and violence among young people, referring to the nationwide project Młode Głowy, the Kraków-based initiative Respektuj.pl, and Gordon Allport’s pyramid of hate. The project takes the form of workshop-based collaboration with the school community and creates space for honest peer-to-peer conversations about how to counteract discrimination and how to become aware of the consequences of actions – or lack of reaction – in critical situations.

A unique aspect of the project is that the students leading the workshops share their own experiences and openly discuss the mechanisms behind violence and exclusion, fostering deeper understanding and reflection among participants. The next edition of the project focuses on the omnipresent topic of beauty standards in social media and the unrealistic expectations associated with the pursuit of perfection. Students analyze how digitally created ideals influence young people’s self-esteem, sense of self-worth, and mental health. Special attention is given to the consequences of these phenomena in everyday school life—peer relationships, learning motivation, stress levels, and emotional well-being. Through workshops, discussions, and the exchange of experiences, participants learn critical thinking toward social media content, how to build realistic expectations of themselves, and how to develop attitudes of acceptance and empathy toward others.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/youth.for.youth.project/?igsh=NXBteGR5ZXk2NTBr&utm_source=qr

School Magazine

Since 2022, the Student Council has published a monthly school magazine created by an editorial team under the guidance of the Editor-in-Chief. Students collaborate on both the graphic design and the content of the articles. Each issue features materials dedicated to students’ interests and curiosities, reports from student exchanges, interviews with individuals pursuing their passions, and presentations of artistic works.

Over time, the editorial team has become increasingly experienced and confident in its competencies, functioning much like a small publishing house. This initiative enables students to develop journalistic and language skills, teaches reliable information gathering, text editing, and deadline management. Additionally, it fosters teamwork, planning, and responsibility, develops creativity and aesthetic sensitivity, and strengthens students’ sense of agency and real impact on school life.

KE Times:
https://www.instagram.com/ke.times?igsh=MXIxMGEzNzJwamh2eA==

IB Talks

IB Talks is a series of informal meetings during which IB students talk with pre-IB students, sharing honest, behind-the-scenes experiences related to the IB programme and the specifics of individual subjects. These meetings provide a practical platform for exchanging experiences and advice, helping younger students make informed subject choices and plan their educational pathways within the International Baccalaureate.

The opportunity to ask questions in a safe and informal atmosphere reduces stress and uncertainty among younger students and strongly integrates the school community. The project also benefits the older students, who take on the role of mentors, develop communication skills, experience a sense of real influence on others’ decisions, and gain valuable insights by reflecting on their own educational paths.

Ask Our Graduates

Ask Our Graduates is a series of short interviews with alumni of Kolegium Europejskie who study at universities in Poland and abroad. The project is aimed at current students facing decisions regarding further education and higher studies. It is based on online interaction between students and graduates in the form of Q&A sessions.

The collected content is then transformed into clear and accessible informational graphics that organize key issues related to the application and recruitment process. These include admission requirements, subject choices, financial matters and fees, as well as everyday student life and the realities of living and studying in a particular city or country. The project provides students with practical, first-hand knowledge, helps dispel doubts, and better prepares them for the challenges of starting university, while also strengthening the bond between alumni and the school community.

Volunteering

The Christmas Charity Market, Szlachetna Paczka, and the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity are permanent and important events in the school calendar. Thanks to the well-organized Student Council, we not only raise funds for those in need but also plan and carry out promotional campaigns on social media, reaching a wide audience and strengthening bonds within the school community.

The Christmas Charity Market is a unique December tradition—a day when months of preparation culminate in moving artistic performances, a festive market, and a large charity raffle. All funds raised are donated to local foundations supporting people in need. For seven years, the Student Council has been involved in planning the event and securing sponsors for raffle prizes. This initiative brings together students, teachers, parents, and friends of the school, creating a space for cooperation, integration, and the development of attitudes based on empathy and social responsibility.

Students acquire key competencies related to fundraising: cooperation with companies, presenting partnership proposals, perseverance, and exploring diverse fundraising strategies. By creating social media campaigns, they develop digital skills as well as marketing communication, creative thinking, promotional strategy planning, and conscious brand-building. All funds raised are donated to organizations such as:

MATIO Foundation for Families and Patients with Cystic Fibrosis, Alma Spei – Home Hospice for Children, Fundacja Po Pierwsze Człowiek, SIEMACHA Foundation, Fundacja Wawel z Rodziną, and Fundacja Ambasada Pomocy Dzieciom.

Autonomy and Future Skills

The Student Council at Kolegium Europejskie is an efficiently functioning student representation composed of representatives from each year group, elected through democratic school elections and supported by the Student Council Advisor. Its main objectives include listening to students’ needs, representing the student community, supporting school initiatives, and co-creating school life.

The structure of the Council has been consciously designed to reflect the contemporary needs of an international school. Instead of traditional roles such as secretary or treasurer, students hold leadership positions responsible for specific areas of activity, including Director of Projects, Director of Charity Actions, Sports Director, Social Media Coordinator, Artistic Directors, and Editor-in-Chief of the School Magazine. This division of responsibilities enables effective implementation of initiatives. Council members meet regularly during weekly meetings with the President and Vice President to plan activities, discuss current student needs, and consistently implement new projects.

This well-organized team transforms ideas into concrete actions – through cooperation with Parents, the School Management, and the Board, it improves student spaces each year and ensures an environment that supports development and the discovery of talents.

Helping Others and Investing in Yourself

Being a member of the Student Council gives students a real voice and a sense of agency. It helps build self-confidence and leadership skills while teaching teamwork and effective communication. Students gain practical experience in project organization, problem-solving, and representing others. Most importantly, it enables them to make a positive impact on their community and supports their development as active, engaged young people prepared for the challenges of the modern world.

The Student Council also maintains active dialogue with students from partner schools cooperating with Kolegium Europejskie within the Erasmus+ mobility programme. During joint meetings and activities, students discuss student self-governance, the role of students in decision-making processes, and student autonomy in different education systems. Through international exchange, students broaden their perspectives, learn intercultural dialogue, and explore diverse models of student councils worldwide.

All undertaken initiatives are aimed not only at the school community but also at developing the competencies and experiences of Student Council members—experiences that help them stand out in university recruitment processes. Therefore, we initiate nationwide and international projects that enable meaningful engagement in socially relevant actions, fostering civic responsibility, social sensitivity, and competencies valued in today’s educational and professional environments, while enriching students’ CVs with experiences of global significance.

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Text prepared by the Student Council Supervisor Ms Kasia Oziębła.