eTwinning Schools in action: empathy, leadership and community

We spoke to three eTwinning Schools working to create spaces where learning nurtures empathy, creativity and community spirit.  

Learning with empathy 

At the Theoretical High School Onisifor Ghibu in the Republic of Moldova, being an eTwinning School means putting pupils’ wellbeing, inclusion and civic engagement first. 

To me, being an eTwinning School means creating a space where every student feels safe, seen and valued – a space where learning goes beyond textbooks and turns into empathy, curiosity and kindness. It means knowing that together we can change not just our school, but the world around us. 

— Kristina Cernei, Deputy head teacher 

Working closely with parents and educational partners, the school teaches the values of democracy, tolerance, empathy and accountability through volunteering and community action. 

• One example is their participation in the Good Deeds Day, when pupils and parents joined forces to clean up a nearby forest. ‘It’s great to see children involved in such activities. They realise that every gesture counts and that change starts with us’, said one parent volunteer.
• To strengthen family ties and cultural understanding, the school organises events where pupils, teachers and parents come together for creative activities on respect, responsibility and empathy. For example, during the International Day of Families, pupils prepared messages of gratitude for their parents, in the form of letters, poems or video recordings.
• Regular activities focus on preventing bullying and cyberbullying, with pupils and teachers discussing how kindness, respect and understanding help create a united school community. Through eTwinning projects like Do something different, Because We CAN and Wellness Wheel EPSM, pupils explored stress, self-esteem and positive communication, turning problems into opportunities for empathy and growth. 

Turning student initiative into lasting impact 

At the Business Academy of Považská Bystrica in Slovakia, students take part in shaping school life. Through an active student council, they organise events, run their own newsletter (the Parliament Papers) and make their voices heard.  

For us, being an eTwinning School means giving students the space and trust to take the lead. When they realise their ideas can make a difference – whether in school, online or in their community – that’s when real learning happens. 

— Lenka Jarošová, Deputy head teacher  

Council members are elected by their peers, ensuring that student voices genuinely influence school decisions. Each year, the council prepares a work plan outlining its activities and goals. The student council also manages the school’s Instagram and TikTok accounts, where students share achievements and school news.  

Feedback is another way students are actively involved in school life. They regularly share their views on curriculum quality, school safety, transition to secondary school and overall satisfaction through questionnaires. The school's management carefully reviews the results and adjusts its plans in response. 

Students also engage in peer-to-peer learning, which happens naturally during project work. For example, fourth-year students created short educational videos to help others prepare for oral exams in insurance and banking. Using the Submagic app and their economics knowledge, they produced clear and practical explanations of key terms.  

In this way, they have started a video library that future students can expand: 

In the same spirit, more experienced eTwinners support new members by sharing ideas and helping them use digital tools. 'It’s wonderful to see how this builds teamwork, confidence and a strong sense of community’, said Lenka Jarošová. 

Leadership shared by the whole school 

At Escola Antoni Brusi in Spain, leadership is a shared, collective effort. Teachers take active roles in improving education and guiding the school's progress.  

We understand leadership as a shared and transformative process, where each educator acts as an agent of change and decisions are made collectively to foster an innovative, inclusive school connected with Europe and the world. 

— Mari Luz Castellano Rodriguez, primary school teacher and coordinator of international projects (Erasmus+ and eTwinning)  

The staff are organised into three learning communities – early years, middle years and upper years – that meet daily to make decisions and reflect on teaching practices. Shared leadership means that every teacher takes on a specific responsibility within the school’s organisation. With the trust of colleagues, this role empowers teachers in their daily work and especially in the areas they lead. 

Their commitment to shared leadership and collaboration is strengthened by the ‘Driving Team’ – a group of seven teachers from different educational levels who work independently from management. This group reviews teaching methods, rethinks assessment and promotes professional development.  

Escola Antoni Brusi has also carried out several award-winning eTwinning projects, such as eTwinning Potter and the Order of the 3Rs and Poke-Twinning Friends, in which pupils actively participated in collaborative learning experiences with their European partners. 

Across Europe, eTwinning Schools like these are transforming education – nurturing empathy, inspiring leadership and empowering young people to make a difference.