The second student mentoring seminar of 2025 took place at the wannseeFORUM with around 50 students from four Berlin schools. For a week, these students explored how to become good mentors for the new 7th grade classes.
This time, students from the Vincent van Gogh High School , the Ferdinand Freiligrath High School , the Andreas Gymnasium , and the Friedrich Ebert Gymnasium 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 how to handle 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. Through cooperative games and warm-up exercises, the students not only strengthened their sense of group cohesion but also learned methods they could later use themselves as mentors. Another focus was on confident public speaking and leading activities, which the students were able to practice by leading the morning plenary sessions.
To conclude the week, the workshop groups presented what they had learned and developed in creative ways: one group introduced a feedback method, another acted out a realistic conflict scenario, and yet another demonstrated methods for successful project planning. The final presentations offered a wonderful 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
