DofE 2026 – Gold Expedition

I set off for my Gold DofE expedition in the Beskydy Mountains with a great deal of uncertainty. Since it was an open expedition, I did not know most of the people on the team and had no idea what to expect. I was worried about whether we would get along and whether we could manage four days together in challenging conditions. In the end, however, it turned out to be even better than I had expected.

Our route was truly demanding. Over the course of four days, we hiked from Klokočov to Čadca, covering more than 72 kilometres. It was incredibly challenging, both physically and mentally. Every day, I had to push through fatigue and sore muscles and motivate myself to keep going. What I enjoyed most, however, were the evenings, when after a long day of hiking we unpacked our mess tins, cooked meals together, and got to know one another better.

My favourite day was definitely the third one, even though the weather was brutal. It was only 13°C, and it rained continuously throughout the day. My boots and socks were completely soaked, but that is exactly why it became an experience I will never forget. The mountains were covered in fog, and it was then that I saw some of the most beautiful views I have ever witnessed. I immediately had to capture them in photos and videos.

This expedition gave me not only unforgettable memories and friends I will never forget, but also a sense of energy, resilience, and self-discipline that I will carry with me through life.

Author: Veronika Ondreičková

DofE 2026 – Silver Expedition

After six long months of developing our skills, participating in sports, and volunteering, we finally reached the qualifying expedition. Some of us were excited, while others were worried about the long journey ahead. With our backpacks full and heavy, we set off from the small village of Rohožník.

The beginning of the hike went smoothly and without any complications. An hour passed, then two... and we realized that we had gotten lost. Tired and exhausted, we climbed up to Vysoká, and from there we only descended to Čermákova Meadow. After a night's rest, we continued our hiking challenge. Our fitness was tested not only by the steep climbs but also by the hot weather. After visiting Červený Kameň Castle, a gentle uphill trail led us to Sklená Huta. While preparing dinner, we spotted a small wild boar. We were all startled, which led to constant conversations through the tent walls as we tried to reassure one another.

At sunrise on the third day, we prepared breakfast, packed our backpacks, and at 6:00 a.m. set off on the final stage of our journey.

After a long, flat stretch of trail and the successful completion of our three-day Silver Expedition, a well-deserved schnitzel was waiting for us in Smolenice.

GRADUATION CEREMONY OF OUR STUDENTS

After successfully completing their final exams and international assessments, our graduates officially said goodbye to their high school journey. Dressed in gowns and applauded by teachers, parents, and friends, they closed an important chapter of their lives.

This moment marks not only the end of years of dedicated effort, but also the beginning of a new path – full of opportunities, challenges, and dreams waiting to be fulfilled.

We are proud of them. Their perseverance, personal growth, and determination have left a lasting mark on our school community.

We believe the values they take with them will serve as a strong foundation in their further studies and in life.

We wish them every success, inspiration, and courage on their journey ahead.

KOŽAZ – life and health protection course

We attended this year in the Low Tatras from June 15th to 17th. Rafting, hiking, shooting, a first aid course in the middle of our most beautiful mountains was more than stimulating for us. We rafted the Hron on two rafts, several of us for the first time. The evening lecture on life from the mouth of a rescuer who lost a finger while saving a person amazed us. We would repeat the circuit from Trangoška to Štefánička, under Ďumbier, Chopok and the steep descent to Srdiečko tomorrow. Four of us even took a takeaway, and not only for the tasty tea. The wellness session at the end was an excellent highlight. We lived life to the fullest and are grateful for such a great change. It was the best.

OUR FIFTH-YEAR STUDENTS’ GRADUATION EXAMS

On June 1 and 3, our bilingual high school held final exams for fifth-year students in the SBG BESST bilingual program.  

 These days marked an important culmination of the students’ studies.  

 The exams took place in a pleasant and festive atmosphere. The students demonstrated not only their knowledge but also their ability to express themselves clearly and think critically.  

 Despite some nervousness, they approached the exams responsibly and performed very well.  

 We warmly congratulate all graduates on successfully passing their exams and wish them every success in their future studies and personal lives. 

CLASSIC IN A MODERN GARB: SBG BESST AT THE PERFORMANCE OF NAJDÚCH

On May 25, the high school students and teachers of SBG BESST attended a performance of Najdúch. Visiting the newly renovated Arena Theatre brought a deep artistic experience to the SBG BESST school community. The performance showed that even a classical work can speak to a contemporary audience through modern directing. The atmosphere in the auditorium was fantastic – the play had excellent pacing, sharp humor, and the actors delivered outstanding performances. We were very pleasantly surprised by this adaptation of the play, and we left for home with smiles on our faces and a wonderful feeling.

TRNAVA THROUGH THE EYES OF GRADUATING STUDENTS

We spent our final moments together before the study week in a special way — exploring the historical centre of Trnava with our history seminar students. The walk was connected to one of the graduation topics focused on the architectural character of the city, turning the streets of Trnava into a living history classroom.

Together, we walked through Trojičné Square, visited the Ursuline convent area, admired the Basilica of St. Nicholas, and stopped by several other important historical and architectural landmarks that shape the identity of Trnava. Along the way, we discussed different architectural styles, historical periods, and the transformation of the city throughout the centuries.

The symbolic ending of our walk took place in a preserved synagogue, which was later transformed into a café — a place where history naturally meets the present. In its pleasant atmosphere, we reflected on the time we had spent together in history lessons and brought one important chapter to a close.

We would like to wish our graduating students good luck, peace of mind, and great success in their final exams. We hope they leave not only with knowledge, but also with many meaningful memories.

OUR STUDENTS AT THE REGIONAL HACKATHON 202

On May 22–23, our students from BESST High School Greta Vivien K., Nina Š. a Nela G. participated in a 24-hour regional hackathon organized by the Regional Innovation and Development Agency (KIRA). This event brings together young, active people who are eager to find solutions to real challenges in the Trnava Region, develop their ideas, and work in teams under time pressure. 

Our girls bravely embarked on an intense 24-hour work session. During the hackathon, they went through the entire process—from understanding the task, through designing a solution, to presenting it to a panel of experts. Such an experience requires not only creativity and technical thinking but also teamwork, the ability to adapt to changes, and the resilience to persevere even in challenging moments. 

Although they did not place among the winners this time, we consider their participation a great success. A hackathon is not just about the result, but above all about the learning process, gaining experience, and building self-confidence. The girls took away new knowledge, contacts, inspiration, and motivation for their future work. 

We are very proud of them—they represented our school with passion and determination. We believe that experiences like these push them forward and will serve as a valuable foundation for their future, whether in further studies or their professional lives. 

We thank the girls for representing the school and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors! 

🌺 OUR FIFTH-YEAR STUDENTS SAID GOODBYE TO SCHOOL

At SBG BESST, they left behind a green legacy in the form of a hibiscus.
May traditionally belongs to graduating students at secondary schools. At SBG BESST, our fifth-year students experienced an anticipated yet nostalgic moment. Their final school bell before the academic week marked a symbolic end to their high school journey.
The farewell was filled with emotions, gratitude towards teachers and younger classmates, and a tradition that continues to grow stronger at our school every year.
This year’s graduates decided to leave behind a living memory on the school grounds – they planted the traditional class tree, an elegant hibiscus. 🌿
After planting the tree and taking their final group photos, the school gates closed for our fifth-year students, at least for now. Ahead of them lies the academic week and the final major challenge of their secondary school years.
We are keeping our fingers crossed for their graduation exams.

TEAM-BUILDING EVENT FULL OF TEAMWORK AND DELICIOUS FOOD

In April, members of the Student Union gathered for a team-building event aimed at strengthening relationships, fostering cooperation, and spending time together in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. This time, the program centered around cooking and dining together.

The students were divided into smaller groups, with each group responsible for preparing one course of a three-course dinner. The first group set out to prepare the appetizer—they made their own tortilla chips, which they served with guacamole and a tasty cheese sauce.

The main course was handled by the second group, which cooked linguine with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese. The aroma from the kitchen drew in all the participants and created a pleasant, homey atmosphere.

The third group provided the sweet finale to the evening. For dessert, they prepared a homemade cake with chocolate and fruit, which everyone enjoyed together.

After finishing their preparations, the students gathered around one table and savored the results of their teamwork. The evening was not just about food, but above all about cooperation,

communication, and building good relationships among members of the Student Union. The team-building event once again confirmed that shared activities outside of class are of great importance for the functioning of the group and the creation of a positive school community.

The student conference BESSTed

The student conference BESSTed is a school event inspired by the TED talks format, giving students space to present their own ideas, opinions, and perspectives on topics they consider important in today’s world. They present their talks in English in front of an audience, developing not only their language skills but also their presentation skills.

This year, 9 speakers from the 2nd year of SBG presented under the theme “Voices That Matter.” In their talks, they explored topics such as the importance of music for humans, the future of artificial intelligence, what happiness really means, and why friendship is so important in our lives.

BESSTed continuously develops critical thinking, communication skills, and the confidence of young people to bring their own perspective to the world and actively participate in discussions about topics shaping our future.

Educational Workshop

Digital security is not just about passwords, but about psychology and empathy.

Today, the students of class I.A swapped their school desks for the inspiring environment of the Malý Berlín cultural center. Under the guidance of Tomáš Kriššák, they immersed themselves in the workshop “Bubbles of Reality,” where, through role-playing activities, they became active participants in their own learning.

The key concept of the day? Humility. 🤝 A combination of humility and virtue that teaches us to ask what leads people to their radical positions, instead of immediately condemning them.

Graduation marathon at SBG BESST

From digital tests to challenging C1 English

From March 10 to 12, 2026, the sound of clicking keyboards and scratching pens could be heard at the BESST Private Bilingual High School. This year's written final exams brought a combination of traditional forms and modern technologies to our students.

The exam week began on Tuesday, March 10, with fourth-year students, for whom Slovak language and literature is the first major test of adulthood. This year's significant innovation was the electronic form of testing (eMaturita).

Wednesday, March 11, belonged to our fifth-year students, who tackled their second language of instruction – English at the C1 level. This demanding level tested their communication skills in listening, reading, and grammar.

The written marathon ended on Thursday, March 12, with students who decided to take their final exams in mathematics.

All written papers will now be evaluated at the NIVaM headquarters or by assistant evaluators directly at the school. However, our students do not have time for a long break. In June, they will face the oral part of the internal exam, where they will once again stand before the exam commission to defend their knowledge of all four compulsory subjects.

We wish all students the best of luck with the results and lots of strength for the final preparations!

Theater performance Krajší svet

On March 10th, our students from BESST Grammar School attended a powerful theater performance at Mariánska sála in Trnava! 🎭

They watched the play "Krajší svet alebo Skončila doba uhoľná" (A More Beautiful World or The Coal Age Has Ended), which is based on true events from the neighboring Czech Republic. The play tells a highly relevant story about a group of young people who took global ecological problems into their own hands without realizing the consequences of their actions. 🌍

Beyond the strong environmental message, the performance provided a great opportunity to practice critical thinking, manage emotions, and look at complex situations from multiple perspectives. 💡

⛷️ SKI TRAINING CAMP ❄️

Our students from grades 1, 2, and 3 enjoyed an unforgettable ski training camp in Jasná. Each day was spent on the slopes of the Low Tatras, where they improved their skiing techniques and fully enjoyed the winter mountain atmosphere.

After active days on the slopes, they relaxed at Hotel Chopok, recharging their energy in the wellness area and enjoying delicious meals.

Many wonderful shared experiences were created, which will stay in their memories for a long time.

Student ball

On February 13th, our school hosted its prom with the theme “Old Hollywood.” Guests were greeted by a red carpet and stunning decorations as soon as they arrived. The music filled the room, and the dance floor was busy all night, with both students and teachers joining in the fun. The highlight of the evening was crowning the Prom Queen and Prom King, and the tombola which added extra excitement and plenty of laughter. The whole night had a warm and friendly atmosphere, making it a truly unforgettable evening for everyone.

PRESENTATION OF THE FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND ADMINISTRATION, MASARYKUNIVERSITY BRNO

On February 13th, 2026, we welcomed a representative of the Faculty of Economics from Masaryk University in Brno, Ms Petronela Oravcová, to our private bilingual high school BESST. She introduced our students to a wide range of bachelor's and master's programs, the possibilities of studying in Czech, but from September also in English programs, and explained to them the practical and professional benefits of studying at one of the most prestigious universities in the Czech Republic and within Europe. During the presentation, students learned about modern fields of study, there are currently 10 of them, opportunities for studying abroad and cooperation with the business sector. Great interest was aroused especially by information about various forms of study (full-time and distance learning), the possibility of participating in the Erasmus program, accommodation and extracurricular life of students in Brno. Our students showed a keen interest and asked a lot of practical questions about their future careers or student life. This visit was a valuable motivation and inspiration for them when deciding on their future direction after graduating from our high school.

Open day

We would like to thank all the visitors who came to get to know our school, the atmosphere and the opportunities we offer. It was a day full of inspiration, meetings and unforgettable moments. We look forward to seeing all our future students and we hope to see you again soon!

Have a look at the photos from this event.

ERASMUS MOBILITY BELGIUM

At the end of January, we accepted a cordial invitation from our colleagues from Go! Antheneum Geraardsbergen. We participated in our first Erasmus program in Belgium, specifically in the small town of Geraardsbergen approximately an hour away from Brussels.
Our stay was unforgettable for the students, especially thanks to the combination of their open minds and high level of education.
Furthermore, the city of Geraardsbergen itself is a magical city, famous for its steep streets and legendary mattentaarten cakes.
The host families welcomed our children with great cordiality, which made them feel at home in Belgium.

In addition to new knowledge from the workshops, the students brought home precious friendships. Staying with host families allowed them to get to know the Belgian lifestyle first-hand and overcome language barriers in a natural way.
Creative activities, such as making T-shirts or sparkling bath bombs, relaxed the atmosphere and German lessons showed them that foreign languages can also be learned playfully.
A trip to Bruges, a visit to the VR Museum and the visit to the European Parliament in Brussels are all experiences they will remember for a long time.
We returned home full of inspiration and with a better overview of European culture.

A MAGICAL ADVENT AT BESST

The Advent season at our school, BESST, was celebrated with magical Christmas markets that created a warm and festive atmosphere. Our grammar school students delighted us with performances on the outdoor stage in the school atrium.

Two days full of joy were complemented by beautiful decorations, a glowing fire, delicious food, and fragrant punch. Take a look at the photos and immerse yourself in the magical Christmas atmosphere of our grammar school. 🎄✨