Danila Kumar International School

On Thursday 23 January, the school held our first Portfolio Night of the year. The event brought together students and their parents to review and analyse their work so far. The students demonstrated agency by independently presenting their best works in each subject, highlighting their development of skills and knowledge, whilst also identifying areas that need improvement. In response, the parents wrote reflection letters to their children, pointing out the areas in which they are proud of and offering ways to support their future growth. At the same time, our PTA organized a mini fundraiser to collect donations for funding the students’ participation in various competitions throughout the year. They were, of course, assisted by our student volunteers, who happily sold snacks and books. All in all, it was a wonderful day for our community, celebrating both learning and progress, as well as supporting a charitable cause.

On Tuesday 14 January, the kindergarten class celebrated a cultural day focused on Music. Activities included singing and playing orff instruments. They also engaged in creating their own instruments from waste materials, which was particularly enjoyable for them.

On Tuesday 14 January, the MYP 3 students gave great TED Talk inspired speeches on at the culminating event of the Community Project 2025. The audience was informed, persuaded, and inspired by a variety of community orientated topics that are dear to our students' hearts. They shed light on important issues like helping fellow students, the elderly, the environment, and people who need to settle in a new country.  Their professionalism and inspirational talks touched us all. We are very proud of all the presenters who showed heart, confidence, and what a well-prepared speech looks like.  Congratulations, 8I and 8M! This was a major accomplishment.  A big thank you goes out to the mentors, who guided and supported the students on this journey. Your work is invaluable and much appreciated! Mateja Kores Community Project Coordinator Their professionalism and inspirational talks touched us all. We are very proud of all the presenters who showed heart, confidence, and what a well-prepared speech looks like.  Congratulations, 8I and 8M! This was a major accomplishment.  A big thank you goes out to the mentors, who guided and supported the students on this journey. Your work is invaluable and much appreciated! Mateja Kores Community Project Coordinator

On Thursday 19 December, the children in the KG participated in a fun Pe-lesson alongside their parents. The session began with a warm up tag game that engaged everyone. The highlight was a relay race, where both children and parents showcased their energy and enthusiasm. Laughter filled the gym as families enjoyed the activities together, creating a memorable bonding experience.

Dear Parents,

The next PTA meeting will take place from 08:30 to 09:55 on Wednesday 8 January, in the Library Reading Room.

On Monday 23 December, the MYP students participated in a special ‘Sustainable Christmas’ day focused on the theme of community. The day began with an online presentation given by Ms Zala Volčič, a professor at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. She spoke about the importance of public spaces and how they bring people together, encouraging the students to reflect on the shared spaces in their own lives. The students then worked in pairs or groups of three to create video essays about the types of communities they are part of, sharing them after. This activity helped them explore their commonalities and see how different communities shape who we are. The day ended with a screening of the videos, showing how diverse yet similar our communities are and the role they play in our lives. It was a meaningful way to celebrate connection and belonging during the holiday season.

Our final days of the Wellbeing Advent Calendar Challenges have been filled with joy, reflection, and togetherness. This week, the students enjoyed activities that sparked creativity and connection, including: Relaxing with a calming yoga session to find inner peace, Exploring new traditions through a holiday celebration from another culture, Bonding over board games with friends, Expressing their creativity by writing holiday-themed haikus, Spreading kindness through random acts of goodwill, Engaging in activities that bring personal happiness, Writing heartfelt wishes for themselves and our school community for the year 2025. Each activity encouraged the students to celebrate the season in meaningful ways, fostering gratitude, joy, and mindfulness. Parents are warmly invited to join the spirit of the Wellbeing Challenges at home. Whether through a family yoga session, exploring a new holiday tradition, or sharing board game time, these simple yet powerful moments can bring your loved ones closer together. As we wrap up this year’s calendar, we hope the joy and mindfulness experienced throughout these weeks continue to inspire everyone in our community. Wishing you all a peaceful and uplifting holiday season—and a wonderful start to 2025!

Yesterday was a truly festive and memorable day at DKIS! The holiday spirit filled the air as Santa visited all our classes, bringing gifts and putting big smiles on our students' faces. In the afternoon, we experienced the magic of our fabulous Winter Bazaar, beautifully organised by our amazing PTA. The event was filled with joy, creativity, and community spirit, offering something special for everyone to enjoy. A heartfelt thank you to Santa, our PTA, and everyone who contributed to making the day so special. Events like these truly showcase the warmth and togetherness of the DKIS community.

Over the past few weeks, the 1M students were fortunate to have two wonderful guest speakers visit their class, sharing valuable knowledge on health and well-being. On Wednesday 11 December, Mrs Novikova, a parent of one of the students, spoke to the children about the importance of getting enough sleep. The students were surprised to learn that they should sleep at least 10 hours each night. Mrs Novikova also introduced calming techniques, helping the kids understand how to unwind before bed and when they’re tired or upset. Then, on Monday 16 December, Mr Khoueir, another parent, visited the class to talk about eye health. He explained the different parts of the eye and shared tips on how to keep our eyes healthy. He brought a model of an eye, which was very interesting to see, as well as some tools that doctors use when checking their patients. Both Mrs Novikova and Mr Khoueir emphasized the importance of getting enough sleep, spending time outdoors in fresh air, drinking water instead of sugary drinks, eating healthy foods, and reducing screen time. We would like to thank both of our guest speakers for taking the time to share their expertise with us. Their visits were a great way to help the students learn more about taking care of their bodies and minds.  1M students and Klavdija Čuk

On Monday 16 December, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr Ziad Khoueir, an ophthalmologist working in Dubai and Lebanon, who presented the profession to the grade 8 students as part of their exploration of future career choices. He began by sharing an intriguing fact: did you know that the eye is actually part of the brain and not a separate organ? This was just one of the many fascinating insights the students learnt during the session. Dr Khoueir explained what ophthalmology is, described his daily routine, and outlined the educational path required for this career. He also shared practical tips for maintaining eye health, including reducing screen time, spending time outdoors, avoiding rubbing the eyes, eating a balanced diet, and getting sufficient sleep. The students were excited about examining a lens used in eye check-ups and learnt how cutting-edge technology plays a vital role in eye surgery. The session concluded with a lively Q&A session, during which the students asked thoughtful questions, with some expressing an interest in pursuing a career in the medical field.

Our second week of the Wellbeing Advent Calendar challenges brought even more excitement and opportunities to foster joy and mindfulness in our school community. This week, the students took part in the following activities: Baking cookies and embracing the warmth of the season, Participating in a fun treasure hunt, Singing festive carols together in the hallway, Attending a mindfulness session to relax and refocus, Writing an inspirational saying on our Inspiration Wall to share positivity. These activities helped the students connect, reflect, and contribute to the uplifting atmosphere in our school. It’s been inspiring to see their creativity and enthusiasm throughout the week! Parents are once again encouraged to join in the fun by baking, singing, practicing mindfulness, or trying a family treasure hunt at home. More exciting and meaningful challenges await next week, so stay tuned for what’s to come!

On a Wednesday morning, the kindergarten class was filled with excitement as the children started baking cookies. They worked hard to make cookie dough, kneading it with their little hands. Next came the fun part – using colourful shape cutters to make different cookie shapes. After waiting for the cookies to bake, it was time for the special tea party. The cookies were not only fun to make but also delicious. It was a wonderful day of teamwork and fun!

December activities for students in 1M to 5M:

23 December: We will organize some activities in school and the afternoon program – CC activities will take place as scheduled. 24 December: The students will attend the first two lessons in the morning. After the snack break (10:30), the afternoon program will begin. Please note that there will be no Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) on this day. The afternoon program will end at 13:00 KG The kindergarten program will end at 13:00

On 10 December, a selection of MYP students from DKIS participated in an international volleyball tournament hosted by our neighbouring Ljubljana International School. Also present at the tournament were Udine International School and the British International School of Ljubljana. We entered two teams—one boys' team and one girls' team—and both demonstrated impressive volleyball skills and outstanding sportsmanship. Throughout the tournament, we formed new friendships and challenged ourselves in a fun, competitive environment, showcasing our dedication and representing our school to the best of our abilities. Although the students had limited time to adapt to the sport, we observed significant progress in their communication, strategy, and teamwork from one game to the next. Congratulations to everyone who participated! We look forward to seeing you at the next sports gathering!

Our FLL team, the Dominant Owls, participated in an educational experience at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Ljubljana. They dedicated their Friday afternoon to gaining new knowledge and skills in computer programming and mechanical robot design. Additionally, they shared their expertise with other teams, collaborated, and engaged in discussions and negotiations. The Dominant Owls team consists of four students from the international department and four from the national department, all working together to develop the various skills needed to successfully tackle the challenges they continuously face.

On 6 December, the MYP students were given  the opportunity to participate in the annual event – A Night in School. Upon their arrival, they settled in the auditorium, divided into teams and started completing the school scavenger hunt. This included many fun tasks like looking for clues, singing, writing a scary story, solving puzzles and more. After a delicious dinner, they enjoyed a holiday themed movie with popcorn. They spent their last dregs of energy dancing before going to bed. In the morning, Ms Mateja prepared sumptuous pancakes for breakfast, then the students either played board games, exercised in the gym or made cookies. The event was a great success once again and we’re looking forward to the next one!

Our first week of the Wellbeing Advent Calendar challenges was a success! The students had the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities designed to spread joy, promote self-care, and enhance our school atmosphere. This week they received the following tasks: Writing what they’re grateful for on our Gratitude Wall, Reading a book from our suggested list and sharing a report, Spending at least 30 minutes in nature, Joining a relaxation techniques session with Ms Marjetka, Writing a heartfelt thank-you letter to one of their teachers. In addition to this, our Board Game Classroom has also become a big hit; the students can enjoy time playing games together, bonding and having fun! These activities are all part of our mission to take care of ourselves, nurture our minds, and create a positive school environment. We also encourage parents to get involved! Spend time together as a family by going for a walk, playing board games, reading a book, or practicing relaxation techniques at home. Next week, we have more fun and enriching activities lined up, so stay tuned!

On Friday 29 November, the 4M class embarked on a trip to the centre of Ljubljana, where we decorated the Christmas tree. The ornaments were created by the students in the extracurricular activity, DIY. The decorated spruce can be admired on Prešeren Square, near the staircase on the left side of the Franciscan church. Ms Anja Plut

On Friday 29 November, our Grade 8 students showcased their talent through a series of love sonnets, monologues, and soliloquies, drawn from their recent unit on Shakespeare. The students presented these works with confidence, passion, and energy, demonstrating a strong understanding of iambic pentameter and the beauty of the English language. Each student carefully crafted their performance, bringing both the rhythm and meaning of the texts to life. We are incredibly proud of their hard work, creativity, and dedication in preparing for this special event. Congratulations to all the students for making this recital such a success!

On Friday 22 November, Ms Brenčič, the MYP science teacher joined the 2M students and introduced mindfulness. The students explored animal sounds and the calming technique of listening.

Our school hosted a British author, Louie Stowell, best known for her children books about the Norse god Loki. In her words, “I write books about magic, Gods and monsters (mostly).” She then presented her stories to our audience of seventh and fourth graders in a fun and interactive way. The students then acted them out, took a quiz to decipher which God from the stories they are, contributed to illustrating a story and learned a lot about Norse mythology. This was a great opportunity for the students to meet a famous author as well as to learn as much as possible about writing stories – connected to their current units of inquiry. All in all, this was a wonderful experience and we are very grateful to the author for joining us. The wider school community is invited to meet her at the 40th Slovenian Book Fair, which will be held at Gospodarsko Razstavišče from 26 November to 1 December, where she is also a guest speaker. Tina Frelih

The five-day field trip to Debeli rtič for the 3M and 6M students was an enriching experience filled with opportunities for growth and fun. In the picturesque town of Koper, the students explored historic streets, and settled into the Hotel Bor at the youth spa resort, beginning the week with a swimming test. Each day offered diverse activities aimed at developing self-management, social skills, and independence. The students took responsibility for their rooms, supported each other, and worked together during scavenger hunts, sports games, and creative presentations of their rooms. Cultural workshops, such as crafting traditional Istrian instruments, enriched their experience, while swimming sessions highlighted their progress. Other activities included forest adventures, empathy workshops, a magic show, and a disco. The trip concluded with a final swimming assessment, where the students showcased their improvements. Overall, the week promoted friendships and independence, leaving students with lasting memories and skills that reflect their enthusiasm and growth.

At ATL lessons we collaborate with Ms Tina Frelih, who prepares interesting library lessons on different topics. From research skills to following instructions, and the importance of reading, library lessons complement the skills developed and reinforced at ATL.

We are excited to announce that our students in Grades 1 and 2 are joining the wonderful Slovenian project Naša Mala Knjižnica (Our Little Library), a literary initiative that aims to foster a love of reading and storytelling in young children. This project is not only about books, but also about creating meaningful connections between students, their families, and the world of literature. As part of this project, the students will be introduced to a special literary character named Buba. Buba is an adventurous little character who will be travelling to the homes of our students, spending a week full of exciting experiences with them. During her visit, Buba will take part in various adventures alongside each student, inspiring their imaginations and helping them engage with stories in new and creative ways. We are asking parents to join in the fun by helping to document Buba's journey. Together with your child, please take photos, write reflections, and record the various activities and adventures that take place during Buba’s stay. This can include anything from reading stories together, going on outings, creating artwork, or simply spending quality time sharing in the adventure of the week. A Reflection Notebook will accompany Buba on her travels, and we kindly ask that you add your reflections and any photos or drawings that capture the special moments during her visit. This notebook will allow us to share and celebrate the wonderful experiences Buba has with each student. At the end of the week, please return the Reflection Notebook along with Buba, so the next student can continue the adventure. This project not only supports the development of literacy skills but also encourages family involvement and creativity. We hope that it will spark a lasting love of books, stories, and imagination in our students. We look forward to seeing the many exciting adventures Buba will have and to the wonderful memories that your family will create together. Thank you for your support in making this project a success! Klavdija Čuk and Teja Klavs Grade 1 and Grade 2 Homeroom Teachers

On World Kindness Day, November 13, the 1M students participated in the 'Kamenčki Prijaznosti' (Kindness Pebbles) movement. They painted stones with uplifting messages like "Be kind" and "You are loved" and placed them around the school, to spread positivity. The project, designed to inspire kindness, encourages students to share small acts of goodwill. By creating and hiding these colourful pebbles, the young students hope to brighten the day of anyone who finds them, promoting a ripple effect of kindness throughout the school and fostering a more positive and supportive community.

Dear DKIS community,

In Slovenia, and therefore also at our school, we marked Slovenian Food Week from November 11 to 17, which we concluded on Friday with the "Traditional Slovenian Breakfast." Throughout the week, and especially on Friday, we connected our lessons to topics related to traditional Slovenian dishes, the importance of local production, seasonal foods, broader culinary traditions, as well as the responsible and respectful handling of food and meals.

The 7M and 7I students visited Kinodvor today 18 November to see a film – included in the 35th Ljubljana International Film Festival – entitled The Riddle of Fire. The film tells a story about a group of friends who go on an adventure to find the last ingredient to bake a blueberry pie, a speckled egg. The students generally liked the film, especially the look and sound, though they could not understand why anyone would go to so much trouble for an egg. When they returned to school, they were able to choose from a variety of tasks connected to the film, from writing a review and creating a film poster to drawing a storyboard or researching the mythology in the film, amongst others. By the end of the cultural day, the students were also able to connect the film to their current unit in English – World Mythology.

The students attending Danila Kumar International School invited there parents to attend Curriculum Night on Thursday 14 November. The focus of the evening was to define the key characteristics which distinguish IB schools from other educational institutions. The evening started with an introduction by the headmaster and the coordinators in the auditorium, and then progressed to individual year classrooms, in which the students themselves, presented the various aspects of the curriculum. For more information about the curriculum, please go to the menu heading Programmes.

We are delighted to share that our two exceptional students, Princesa J. and Klara Z. had the opportunity to present their inspiring Community Project today, at a small assembly at the British International School in Ljubljana. Their project focuses on promoting dog adoption and advocating for responsible pet ownership—topics they are both deeply passionate about. Through thoughtful research and a heartfelt presentation, they shed light on the importance of adopting pets from shelters and the responsibilities that come with pet ownership. As an IB community, we could not be prouder of their dedication and positive impact they are striving to make in our community.

On 11 November Ms Anka from the celebrated project Kuhnapato again visited our cooking club. The project is focused on reviving and refashioning Slovene culinary tradition. We prepared dumplings with red cabbage and pumpkin-apple štrudel.  

On Monday 4 November, 5M had a sports day focused on "Systems," led by renowned Slovenian basketball coaches Dejan Milenkovič and Aleš Fabjan. The students learned a great deal, covering both fundamental and more advanced topics and techniques. We ended the day with some gameplay, and the photos in the gallery below tell the rest of the story.

As a treat before the autumn holidays, but still in connection with their unit of exploring customs and traditions around the world, the 6M students spent their final English lessons before the break researching how different countries celebrate Halloween. They were surprised at the variety of different celebrations from China, Japan, Nigeria, Haiti, Mexico and The UK. The customs vary from celebrating the holiday on different dates, eating a diverse range of food, donning different costumes, lighting bonfires, as well as with singing and dancing. They also found connections to the way they celebrate as well.

"Our students braved a haunted class this week,
Where puzzles lay in wait for them to seek.
With sonnet forms and rhythms to decode,
And tropes and schemes that down dark pathways strode. They cracked each clue with teamwork and might, Escaping shadows, racing toward the light. Through verse and meter, every line explored— Halloween in class they won’t ignore!"

Thursday 25 October saw all manner of goblins, ghouls, ghosts and demons descend down on the dome at Danila Kumar to frighten the life out of the school community. Tug 0' war, the potato sack race, and the dance freeze event amongst others all kept the attendees entertained, while jack o' lanterns were carved, faces perishingly painted, with many a sweet treat to keep the tummies full. Thank you to the PTA for organising this electrifying event.

On Wednesday 23 October, the 5M brought the Solar System to school through measuring and calculating each planet's distance from the sun, drawing the planets, and recreating each planet's orbit around the sun to scale in the playground.

Dear Parents,

At DKIS, we celebrate the rich diversity of our students and the unique cultural heritage that each of you brings to our community. We invite you to donate books in your mother tongues to our school library. Whether it’s children’s books, classic literature, or educational resources, we will be happy to take them. These books will help our students connect with their heritage and explore different cultures. If you have any books to share, please drop them off at the reception. The books can be used although they should be in good condition. You may also suggest books in your mother tongues the students could read. Please send your suggestions to freliht@os-danilekumar.si. Thank you! Tina Frelih

Today, robots can clean, dance, socialize, assemble, imitate, and much more. While they are becoming increasingly human-like, they are still far from replacing us. How…

Congratulations to all those who took part in the Ljubljana Marathon for younger competitors. They competed well on a busy autumnal day, showing their character in the damp conditions. Thanks also go to the PTA for donating their running t-shirts.

On October 10th, our kindergarten had an unforgettable Sports Day!  The adventure began with a train ride to Trzin, which was thrilling for the kids, followed by a van journey to Dobeno. At the forest kindergarten -  "Gozdni svet", the children enjoyed a day filled with exploration and play on the forest playground.  They engaged in hands-on activities using hammers, saws, and shovels, participated in a scavenger hunt, and even made a bonfire to grill delicious hot dogs.  The entire day was a blast, filled with laughter and learning in nature!