Kartaltepe Mh. Alpullu Sk. No: 5
34144 Istanbul/İstanbul
Turquie
- Youth and education
Our school is a public secondary school for grades 5th to 8th. There are 743 students, 45 teachers, 3 administrators, and 6 other staff. We have a total of 26 classrooms. We also have a section for students with cognitive disabilities, which currently serves 10 students. Although the school is situated in a central neighborhood, some of the students are taken from the suburbs of the city by school buses, which can cause a gap between the local residents and our students. As a result, some of our students may feel disconnected and unhappy, leading to high levels of absenteeism, with more than 20 students frequently absent. These students may feel like they belong to a lower class of society and that there is an invisible barrier between social classes. This can make it difficult to motivate students when teaching subjects like foreign languages. Many of the students and their parents have never been abroad and may feel hopeless about the possibility of doing so in the future. As a result, some may drop out of school, get married early, or turn to illegal means of making money, ignoring the importance of education in the labor market.
The mission of Cumhuriyet Secondary school is to provide a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that empowers students in grades 5th to 8th to achieve academic excellence and personal growth. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging and community while promoting cultural diversity and understanding among our student body. Objectives: Academic Excellence: Striving for academic excellence is a primary objective. We aim to provide high-quality education that equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for their academic advancement and future success. Inclusivity: Creating an inclusive environment is fundamental to our objectives. We are dedicated to embracing diversity, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported, regardless of their background, abilities, or socio-economic status. Cultural Exchange: We recognize the importance of cultural exchange in preparing students for a globalized world. Our objective is to facilitate opportunities for students to engage in cross-cultural experiences, fostering mutual respect and understanding. Community Engagement: We are committed to active involvement within our local community. By participating in extracurricular activities, social events, and volunteer initiatives, we aim to strengthen community ties and instill a sense of social responsibility among our students. Addressing Socioeconomic Disparities: Tackling the perceived invisible barriers between social classes is a crucial objective. We strive to create an environment that diminishes these barriers, ensuring equal opportunities for all students and addressing challenges that may contribute to absenteeism. Preventing Early Disengagement: To counteract the risk factors leading to early disengagement, we work towards motivating students through engaging educational programs, fostering a sense of hope and ambition for their future. International Exposure: We aim to broaden students' perspectives by providing opportunities for international experiences. This includes participation in Erasmus+ projects and other initiatives that expose students to diverse cultures and global issues.
Cumhuriyet Secondary School is dedicated to providing a diverse and enriching educational experience through a range of impactful projects and activities. Some of the main initiatives include: Erasmus+ Projects: The school actively participates in Erasmus+ projects, fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange. These projects, involving multiple countries, aim to broaden students' horizons and enhance their global awareness.Over the past 8 years, we have participated in various international projects under EU programs. To date, we have completed five KA212 Erasmus+ school partnership projects. Currently, we are involved in another project that involves 8 countries. Through these projects,we have taken part in 3 ICT courses which have allowed us to improve our technological skills. Two of our projects have been recognized as "good practice" projects. E-Twinning Club: The E-Twinning Club, coordinated by the English teacher, serves as a hub for conducting Erasmus+ projects. This club engages students in meaningful international collaborations, promoting cultural understanding and creating opportunities for global interactions. Extracurricular Clubs: Our school offers a variety of extracurricular clubs, catering to diverse interests such as arts, culture, STEM, literature, and more. These clubs provide students with platforms to explore their passions, develop new skills, and build a sense of community. Social Events: The school organizes and participates in various social events throughout the academic year. Celebrations, festivals, and community gatherings foster a sense of belonging, school spirit, and inclusivity among students, teachers, and parents. Community Service and Volunteering: Emphasizing social responsibility, the school actively encourages students to engage in community service and volunteering. Participating in charity events and social inclusion initiatives instills empathy and a commitment to making a positive impact on the broader community. The school places a strong emphasis on career and education guidance programs. Workshops, seminars, and guest lectures are organized to help students explore future possibilities and understand the importance of education in the labor market.
Experience Sharing: We aim to share collective insights and best practices gained from coordinating the E-Twinning Club and participating in Erasmus+ projects. This includes effective strategies for project implementation, engaging students, and fostering cross-cultural understanding. Promotion of International Collaboration: As a team, we actively promote the benefits of international collaboration within the educational community. We encourage other schools and educators to join the network, emphasizing the positive impact it can have on students, teachers, and the overall learning environment. Training and Capacity Building: Our team is committed to offering training sessions or workshops to educators interested in participating in international projects. We share knowledge on project management, integrating technology into teaching, and leveraging the opportunities provided by the network. Project Development and Coordination: Collaborating with educators and schools within the network, we aim to develop new Erasmus+ projects or enhance existing ones. We contribute ideas, coordinate project activities, and facilitate effective communication and collaboration among participating institutions. Recognition of Good Practices: As a collective effort, we share the successes and recognized good practices of our projects within the E-Twinning Club with the network. This includes presenting at conferences, contributing articles to educational publications, or conducting webinars to highlight the positive outcomes of international collaborations. Mentorship and Support: Our team is dedicated to offering mentorship to educators who are new to international projects or the network. We collectively provide guidance on navigating the complexities of project planning, implementation, and evaluation, fostering a supportive environment for those entering the realm of global education. Advocacy for Inclusive Education: Together, we advocate for inclusive education and social inclusion within the network. We share experiences in addressing absenteeism and socio-economic disparities, promoting strategies that have proven effective in creating a more inclusive learning environment.
We aspire to join the Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF) Network with the shared goal of fostering dialogue, inclusivity, and cultural exchange within the global educational community. Our intention is to contribute to and benefit from a network that champions the values of understanding and collaboration among diverse cultures and societies. By becoming part of the ALF Network, we envision establishing collaborative projects with like-minded institutions, educators, and organizations. Our objective is to work together on initiatives that promote cultural exchange, address global challenges through education, and amplify the impact of our collective efforts. We recognize the power of joint projects in building bridges between cultures, fostering empathy, and preparing students for a more interconnected world. Being a member of the ALF Network aligns seamlessly with our commitment to international collaboration, evident in our active involvement in Erasmus+ projects. We believe that participating in this network will open doors to valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collaborative endeavors. Through mutual projects, we anticipate creating meaningful contributions to the foundation's objectives and, in turn, benefiting from the wealth of experiences and perspectives offered by the diverse community within the network. In essence, our interest in joining the ALF Network stems from a shared vision of promoting intercultural understanding and leveraging collaborative projects as a means to positively impact education on a global scale. We look forward to the prospect of working hand in hand with the ALF Network to create projects that inspire dialogue, inclusivity, and cross-cultural learning.