At the beginning of spring 2025, students from four Berlin schools met for a mentoring seminar at the Wannsee Forum.
This time, students from the Gutenberg High School, the Hufeland School, the Immanuel Kant Gymnasium, and the Melanchthon Gymnasium participated. Around 50 participants spent a week together at the wannseeFORUM to prepare for their future role as mentors for the new seventh-grade classes.
To kick things off on Monday, the entire group first brainstormed ideas about what makes a good mentor: What qualities, knowledge, and skills are important – and what else is needed to effectively support new seventh graders? After some initial icebreaker games, the participants split into five workshop groups, in which they worked 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 difficult situations, and developed their own project ideas, such as class trips or 7th-grade parties.
In addition to theoretical input, hands-on experience was particularly important: Through cooperative games and warm-up activities, the students not only strengthened their sense of group cohesion but also learned methods they can later use themselves as mentors. Another focus was on confident public speaking and leading activities – skills that are of great importance in every school
To conclude the week, the workshop groups presented what they had learned and developed in creative ways: one group introduced a feedback method, others acted out realistic conflict scenarios, or explained how best to plan projects. The final presentation 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 – and wish all future mentors much joy and success in their important task!
The seminar was funded by the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family.
