From Wednesday to Thursday, 2–3 September 2026, the 1.EE and 1.S classes bonded as a group in Doubí near Třeboň. On the first day, the students got to know their classmates within their own classes – they introduced themselves using name tags, formed sociometric circles, and had to rely on their teammates to overcome obstacles, working together and devising strategies (for example, when crawling through a rope tunnel, walking along a slackline or playing “blind man’s buff”, where one person’s task was to safely guide another through a predetermined area full of natural and other hazards).
This year, the dragon boat races were cancelled due to a lack of water, but the students still enjoyed the afternoon. Instead of dragon boat racing, they took part in a mini health education course and had the chance to practise resuscitation on a child or an adult using resuscitation manikins. The rest of the afternoon was devoted to various team-building and sporting activities chosen by the students – they played football, beach volleyball, badminton, frisbee and much more. The pupils were then able to recharge their batteries not only with a communal dinner in the local canteen, but also later in the evening with sausages roasted over a fire.
The day after breakfast, the pupils set off with their form tutors, PE teacher and the prevention co-ordinator on a walk of around 7 km – part of the route took them along the Hrádeček–Třeboň Health Nature Trail. During the walk, the students played bingo in small groups. Before setting off, the pupils completed “exit forms”, in which they evaluated the course themselves, and were then officially welcomed as first-year pupils at our school.
During the second session, i.e. from Thursday 3 September to Friday 4 September 2026, pupils from classes 1.EM and 1.ER arrived in Doubí near Třeboň with their form tutors. Once again, they spent the day, the night and the following day not only with their form tutors, but also with the PE teacher and two pastoral care counsellors. The programme was similar in many respects, comprising ice-breaker, team-building and sporting activities; in addition, time was set aside for the students’ own interests and for chatting, or the pupils took part in other activities prepared for them by their form tutors.
The students of 1.EM and 1.ER were also welcomed as first-year pupils at SPŠ SE; received badges with the school’s logo to attach to their rucksacks, for example, and in return filled in „exit forms“ for their class teachers and guidance counsellors, in which they had the opportunity to give their feedback on the entire course.
We are delighted that the feedback on the „induction course“ once again included many positive comments, and that students see the opportunity to get to know one another and build team spirit as key benefits of the course. There were also some interesting suggestions for improvement, which will help us organise induction courses for new first-year students in the coming academic year.
We believe that the past few days spent on the induction course will help to create a relaxed atmosphere in each class.
(written on behalf of the participants by Pavlína Šustrová, MA)
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