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Ivana Smolec Mustapić, 4 th Primary school Bjelovar

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Ivana Smolec Mustapić, 4 th Primary school Bjelovar

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When we started the project "Chasing the Ball, Following Fair Play" at the beginning of the school year, I had no idea that the ball would become the reason for one of the most interesting journeys through the school curriculum. This project united students from European countries, around a common goal: promoting values that are important both on the field and in life.

The main goal was to develop our communication skills in English. Through real conversations with our partners, we realized that language is not just a school subject, but a tool with which we build bridges. By writing blogs, recording videos and participating in video calls, our English became more confident, and the fear of mistakes disappeared because we knew that on the other side there were friends waiting for us who understood us.

Lessons on Fair Play and Empathy The project taught me that sport is not just a scoreboard. Through researching the history of sport and fair play moments, me and my students learned about empathy, respect and teamwork. We realized that sport is a space for sharing emotions and supporting each other. It was especially interesting to explore different cultures and see how our peers in other countries see these same values, which helped us build cross-cultural understanding.

This experience changed us and showed me that school is a place where boundaries are erased and friendships are built - no matter what language we speak or which club we support.

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Ayşe KAYA-Kızılkaş Şehit Metehan Şahbaz Secondary School-Adana/Türkiye

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Ayşe KAYA-Kızılkaş Şehit Metehan Şahbaz Secondary School-Adana/Türkiye

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This project was very important to me because I had my first experience as a founder through it. It was a very productive and fulfilling project. Despite having a very intensive content, all of my partners worked very well, and we achieved great results through strong collaboration. The students embraced the project enthusiastically, especially because of their love for football, and they actively contributed to it. Although they play football all the time, they initially had significant shortcomings in terms of fair play. Thanks to this project, as far as I observed, they began to pay much more attention to fair play; they even organized a fair play match at the end of the project. It was a very beneficial and enjoyable process for both the children and myself.

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Barış ÜNAL/Kaymakam Mehmet Tahir İmam Hatip Secondary School

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Barış ÜNAL/Kaymakam Mehmet Tahir İmam Hatip Secondary School

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Teamwork and Collaboration Being a member of this project has been an incredibly meaningful and educational experience for me. Despite the intensive content and the fast-paced nature of the work, we achieved perfect harmony with all our partners. Thanks to this strong collaboration, we completed this challenging process in both a highly productive and fulfilling manner, achieving outstanding results together.

Transformation and Impact on Students The students' passion for football brought their commitment and excitement for the project to the highest level. Although they initially viewed football merely as a game, they had significant shortcomings regarding the concept of fair play. The transformation I observed throughout the project was truly rewarding:

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Lucia Vaššová- Základná škola, Lipová 183

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Lucia Vaššová- Základná škola, Lipová 183

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As we conclude the "CHASING THE BALL, FOLLOWING FAIR PLAY" project, I would like to share a few reflections on our journey. Looking back, I can confidently say that this initiative has been an incredibly enriching experience, not only for my students but also for me personally as an educator.

Key Takeaways and Impact:

Holistic Development: The project successfully bridged the gap between physical activity and moral values. While "chasing the ball" kept the students active and engaged, the focus on "fair play" taught them essential life lessons about integrity, respect, and empathy.

Student Engagement: It was inspiring to watch the students grow more confident. They didn't just learn how to compete; they learned how to collaborate, handle defeat with grace, and celebrate their peers' successes.

Cultural and Social Growth: The project created a unique atmosphere of teamwork that transcended the classroom. It fostered a sense of belonging and helped students understand that the rules of the game apply far beyond the sports field.

Personal Reflection:

For me, coordinating this project was a rewarding challenge. It allowed me to see my students in a different light—as teammates and fair players. Seeing their enthusiasm and the positive shift in their interpersonal dynamics has been the greatest reward.

In conclusion, "CHASING THE BALL, FOLLOWING FAIR PLAY" was more than just a sports project; it was a transformative educational journey. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it and am proud of everything we have achieved together.

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Oana Munteanu, School Orizont, Bucharest, Romania

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Oana Munteanu, School Orizont, Bucharest, Romania

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This project made me realize that team work is essential, this is the most important aspect of any successful project. My students and I were a very good team , they taught me how to use certain apps and I taught them the English language, so everyone shared something during this period. My partners and I were also a very good team, I learnt so many things from them. And, eventually, we all learnt that fair play is key to working in any type of teams. I am so grateful to each person involved.

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Ана Марковић, ОШ "Аца Синадиновић" Лоћика, Србија

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Ана Марковић, ОШ "Аца Синадиновић" Лоћика, Србија

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When I decided to join this project I didn't know what to expect because I don't know much about football. I was worried, of course... It turned out to be intersting topic from a very different point of view and surprising journey where I discovered the love of my students for football, but not just them but all the students that were a part of project. They all knew a lot more then me, and they tought me a lot too. As for my collegues, thank you all! You had me test my limits and knowledge of digital tools and dedication in work.

Our plan was to practice language, use digital tools, learn in different way and have fun. And that's what we did. Somehow the topic integrated in our subject curriculum and the lessons were more interesting and unsual. Thank you all for this wonderful experience!

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Ивана Велиновска-Боцеска ООУ „Гоце Делчев“ Илинден, Скопје, Македонија Ivana Velinovska-Boceska OOU ,,Goce Delcev" Ilinden, Skopje, NMacedonia

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Ивана Велиновска-Боцеска ООУ „Гоце Делчев“ Илинден, Скопје, Македонија Ivana Velinovska-Boceska OOU ,,Goce Delcev" Ilinden, Skopje, NMacedonia

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As a teacher, I am truly satisfied and proud to have participated in this project together with my students. Throughout the project, I had the opportunity to witness their enthusiasm, creativity, and growth. They actively collaborated, embraced new digital tools, and learned valuable lessons about teamwork, fair play, and responsible use of technology. The project created a positive and inspiring learning environment where students felt motivated and confident to express their ideas. Being part of this experience was both professionally enriching and personally rewarding, and it reinforced my belief in the power of project-based learning and international collaboration.

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“As a teacher, I am glad to be part of this project, which includes students both with and without knowledge of football. Through it, I have learned many new things about the sport myself, and I value that the project encourages and motivates students to understand that fair play is more important than winning.