Erasmus+ Week at Sant Josep School: A Celebration of Art, Respect and European Friendship

 Erasmus+ Week at Sant Josep School: A Celebration of Art, Respect and European Friendship

Last week, Sant Josep School in Navàs hosted an unforgettable Erasmus+ mobility as part of the project Art Unites Us: Shaping Europe with Artificial Intelligence. Students and teachers from Italy (Isernia and Bòvio) and the Azores joined our 6th graders for a week full of learning, cultural discovery and meaningful connections.

From the very first day, our guests received a warm welcome with community-building games and gift exchanges. Throughout the week, students enjoyed a rich programme combining art, outdoor learning, multilingual communication, cultural traditions, teamwork and European values.

One of the highlights of the mobility was the creation of a large collaborative mural about Respect, designed with the guidance of illustrator Valentí Gubianas. Students shared ideas, painted together in mixed international teams, and turned one of our playground walls into a powerful visual message representing unity and European values.

The programme also included traditional Catalan dances performed by our primary students, a Sardana workshop led by experts from Navàs, a cultural treasure hunt around the town, and an exciting day of outdoor learning at the riverside of Ametlla de Merola. Students learned about nature, the environment, birds and respect for the local ecosystem while working together across countries.

Another unforgettable moment was our Farewell Dinner at Local Sant Genís, where families, teachers and students from all three countries shared food, music and cultural performances. Catalan families prepared typical dishes and even challenged our guests to try local traditions such as drinking from the porró or tying the espardenyes.

The week ended with a cultural trip to Barcelona, where students visited Las Ramblas and the Sagrada Família before saying goodbye at the airport.

This Erasmus+ experience helped our students grow as European citizens, develop communication skills in different languages, work cooperatively, and discover the importance of respect, diversity and creativity. It was a week full of emotions, friendship and learning that will stay in our hearts for a long time.

BIRD BOXES WORKSHOP -

 

Nest Box Workshop – Outdoor Learning Activity

As part of our eTwinning project “Flying Free: Birds Know No Borders,” our 5th-grade pupils took part in a nest box workshop organized with the support of the Navàs Town Council. A team of wildlife experts visited our school to teach students about the importance of biodiversity, local bird species and how nest boxes can help maintain ecological balance.

We learned about three insect-eating birds that live in our area — the European robin, the great tit, and the short-toed treecreeper — and how they help control pests such as caterpillars and aphids.

In groups, pupils built five nest boxes and later installed them outdoors:
• The great tit box was placed in the olive tree at the school entrance.
• The other boxes were hung in different mulberry trees around the town.

This was a meaningful outdoor learning experience, combining science, environmental awareness, and teamwork. We will share our reflections with the four partner schools and revisit the nest boxes in spring to see if they have been occupied.

A wonderful way to learn, create, and take care of nature!

Vedruna Sant Josep Navàs in Istanbul : School leaders and eTwinning ambassadors

From 8–10 November 2025, head teachers, school leaders and eTwinning ambassadors from all over Europe gathered in Istanbul for the Professional Development Workshop “Shaping Stronger Schools through Skills for Life and eTwinning.”

During the event, our school’s ambassador Fina Vendrell presented the case story “eTwinning as a Leadership Tool for Transformation,” highlighting how eTwinning can serve as a powerful tool to promote shared leadership, teacher empowerment, student engagement and community collaboration.

The workshop included plenary sessions, round tables, and inspiring case studies, offering valuable opportunities to exchange ideas and build future partnerships with European schools.

We return enriched by new perspectives and motivated to continue shaping stronger schools through collaboration and European values.

THROUGH ARQUITECTS' EYES

 This is how we imagine a world of beautiful houses, 

some of them big, 

others small,

some rectangle and some round, 

but important is not the shpe,

the colour or the size,

it is what it is inside!

OUR FAMILY, WATER, FOOD, PEACE, BOOKS, A BED, LOVE, ... AND MUCH MORE!

3 eTwinning projects = 3 NATIONAL QUALITY LABELS

 We feel so happy to announce that we got 3 national quality labels for the 3 projects of school year 2024-25

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE PROTAGONISTS OF SUCH INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES!

This is VEDRUNA SANT JOSEP NAVÀS

 Pupils Grade 5 recorded this amazing video to show their school to their European Partners from the eTwining project called " Flying free: birds know no borders".

Enjoy it!

CELEBRATING THE EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES

 We celebrated the European Day of Languages with the song " an anthem for the European Day of Languages". Students of grade 6 performed the multilingual son " Voices of Europe" with a short part in Catalan. This is an amazing way to give visibility to the great cultural power speaking languages is and the best way to show to the world that learning many languages unites us among all the European countries.

 

This is the VIDEO with all the European collaborations and languages!

eTwinning school label 2025-2026

 

A recognition of collaborative leadership, innovation, and European commitment in education

We are proud to announce that Col·legi Sant Josep Navàs has been awarded the eTwinning School Label 2025–2026 — a distinction that recognises schools across Europe for their leadership, innovation, and active participation in the eTwinning community.

This award highlights our commitment not only to international collaboration, but also to a shared vision of teaching and learning, where both students and teachers play an active role in shaping an open, inclusive, and forward-looking educational environment.

Why this recognition matters

Shared leadership and strategic vision
At Col·legi Sant Josep, school management and teacher leaders work hand in hand to integrate eTwinning into our school’s educational vision and daily practice. eTwinning is part of our policy, professional development plan, and ongoing innovation strategy.

Collaboration at the heart

Our teachers form a united, collaborative team that co-designs eTwinning projects and pedagogical initiatives, while continuously sharing experiences and best practices within and beyond our school.

Students as active participants
In our eTwinning journey, students are not just participants — they are agents of change. They take on leadership roles in the digital and pedagogical innovation process, raising awareness about eTwinning among peers, teachers, and families.

A model for other schools
As an eTwinning School, we are committed to inspiring and supporting other schools in our region. We actively share our knowledge, host open events, and promote professional development opportunities that encourage more schools to join and grow within the eTwinning community.

Being recognised as an eTwinning School confirms our belief in the power of European collaboration, teacher empowerment, and student agency as key drivers for educational transformation.

We will continue to promote the values of inclusion, digital citizenship, creativity, and sustainability — shaping the kind of education that empowers students to be better learners, responsible citizens, and agents of a brighter future. 

Celebrating 100 Years of Vedruna Sant Josep with Our European Partners

 

Celebrating 100 Years of Vedruna Sant Josep with Our European Partners

As part of the Centenary celebration of Vedruna Sant Josep School in Navàs, a special video was presented during the official commemorative event held on June 7th, 2025. This video featured heartfelt congratulatory messages from students and teachers across Europe — friends and partners who have collaborated with our school over the years through various Erasmus+ and eTwinning projects.

This symbolic moment highlighted not only the international dimension of our educational journey but also the strong bonds we have built through European cooperation. We are deeply grateful for the friendship, learning, and shared experiences that have enriched our school community over this past decade of Erasmus+ involvement.

Catalonia being named World Region of Gastronomy 2025, MEDITERRANEAN GASTRONOMY TOUR

 “Mediterranean Gastronomic Tour – C”, highlighting not only the students’ learning, but also connecting our project to the special occasion of Catalonia being named World Region of Gastronomy 2025.

Background visuals: Created by students and teachers using Canva, BookCreator, and green screen effects. Some media from free sources (Google images, used for educational purposes).
Music: To Kainourgio Minore - Christos Nikolopoulos. Tha Se Xanavro Stous Baxedes - Ilias Andriopoulos. An Rotas Na Sou Po - Thanasis Polykandriotis 
All students featured in this project have signed image consent forms.

During the last online meeting, all Spanish and Italian students watched the final video which testified the Mediterrean gastronomic tour they worked in.