School community events mark new academic beginnings in Austria and Germany

Educational institutions in Austria and Germany held ceremonies to welcome new students for the upcoming academic year.

At BRG Imst in Austria, a traditional school start festival was held for first-grade students. The event featured musical accompaniment from the Landesmusikschule Imst, led by Johannes Nagele. Sixth-grade students acted as mentors for the newcomers, assisting them through activities such as an obstacle course and a dodgeball tournament. The celebration included students, faculty, parents, and alumni, with catering provided by the parents' association.

In Wetzlar, Germany, the Freiherr-vom-Stein-Schule hosted a commemorative service for 155 incoming fifth-grade students transitioning to the gymnasium. Centered on the theme ‘Be brave and strong’, the service included musical performances by both student and teacher choirs. The event aimed to support students as they navigate new classrooms, teachers, and social environments.