INCLUSION
At II. gimnazija Maribor, we strive to address the needs and celebrate the diversity of our IB DP students by providing support tailored to their unique challenges. These challenges may include but are not limited to, language barriers, financial hardship, gender and sexual identity, ethnicity, differing abilities, emotional and mental health concerns, medical conditions, disabilities, or other long-term difficulties.
Our school has three guidance counsellors dedicated to supporting students facing various challenges. The head of the school appoints a team of teachers to create individualized support programs, which may include action plans, attendance accommodations, and assessment strategies, while also monitoring each student’s progress. This team, responsible for the student’s overall support, includes the class teacher (as team leader), an academic mentor, a counsellor, the IB DP Coordinator, and the head of school.
CLASS TEACHER
Class teachers at II. gimnazija Maribor are typically subject teachers who work with an entire class and are assigned to them at the start of the school year, remaining with the students throughout the two-year IB DP program. Their primary responsibilities include pedagogical, organisational, and administrative duties. As mentors, class teachers guide students through the learning process, fostering their academic and personal growth.
Class teachers also engage closely with parents, organising and leading meetings, addressing student absences, and monitoring academic progress. They maintain regular meetings with their students and accompany them on field trips and excursions, providing continuous support inside and outside the classroom..
SENIOR MENTORS
Students transferring from other schools to II. gimnazija Maribor benefit from comprehensive support to ease their transition. To offer insights and connect prospective students with the school community, our current students have created a social media group for those planning to enrol. Once new students arrive, our mentorship program pairs them with senior students who help them adjust to their new environment.
Additionally, we assist international students with essential administrative tasks, such as arranging residence permits, health insurance, dormitory accommodations, and other necessary documentation, ensuring a smooth transition to life in a new country. Our goal is to make every student feel fully supported as they settle into their new surroundings.
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION COUNSELLOR
The English teacher, Polona Vehovar, serves as the school’s Study Abroad Counsellor, dedicating two hours each week to guide and counsel students on post-secondary education opportunities. She organises up to four meetings with Year 11 students and up to eight meetings with Year 12 students. In addition, she arranges presentations from international universities, including the University of Tokyo, NYU Abu Dhabi, IE University Madrid, and institutions in Germany, Austria, Graz, Vienna, and the Netherlands. Approximately 10% of our overall students and about 60% of IB DP students choose to study abroad.
The school’s University and Career Counsellor provides valuable information about studying at various universities abroad. Regular meetings are held to explain university options and provide step-by-step guidance on filling out online applications. Students are introduced to application systems like UCAS, the Common Application, and other platforms for studying across Europe.
