The first student mentor seminar of 2026 took place at the wannseeFORUM with approximately 60 students from five Berlin schools. For one week, these students explored how to become effective student mentors for the new seventh grade.
This time, students from the Immanuel Kant Gymnasium , Friedrich Ebert Gymnasium , Melanchton Gymnasium , Gutenberg High School , and Hufeland School participated . For a week, the participants from these schools prepared for their future role as mentors for the incoming seventh grade classes.
At the beginning, the students, working in small groups, brainstormed which qualities, knowledge, skills, and conditions are important for being good mentors. After some initial icebreaker games, they divided into five workshop groups, where they learned through play throughout the week.
The workshops focused on key topics such as communication, conflict resolution, and project planning . For example, the groups explored the four-sides model of communication, reflected on their own approaches to conflict, and developed their own project ideas for class trips or school rallies.
Internalizing and experiencing what they had learned always involved trying it out, including through cooperative games and warm-ups. This strengthened group cohesion and allowed them to learn methods and games they could later use themselves as mentors. Another focus was on confident public speaking and leading activities. The students had ample opportunity to practice these skills, for example, by leading the morning plenary sessions.
To conclude the week, the workshop groups presented their learning and work in creative ways: one group introduced a feedback method, another acted out a realistic conflict resolution scenario, and yet another demonstrated methods for successful project planning. The final presentation offered a fantastic overview of the productive seminar week.
We would like to sincerely thank all participants and supporters for this successful week full of commitment, team spirit, and new experiences. We wish all future mentors much joy and success in their important role!
Seminar impressions
