HUPE Split Branch Meeting Report

The first HUPE Split Branch meeting of this school year took place on Friday, 14 November 2025. It was organised in cooperation with HUPE Dubrovnik, and the special guest was the HUPE President, Mrs Sanja Paić. The meeting began at 4:00 p.m. A total of 29 HUPE members and friends were kindly hosted by their colleague Ivana Bokavšek at Centar izvrsnosti SDŽ. The participants attended four wonderful workshops.

Agenda items:

1. Anita Lasić and Silvija Pećanac Bačić – HUPE Conference Highlights and HUPE News
2. Ivana Bokavšek i Anica Bašić – Kreativno izražavanje kistom I stihovima – radionica
   
3. Dajana Vukadin – Brain Breaks in the ESL Classroom: Energise, Refocus, Learn! – radionica
4. Slađana Curić Petričević – Where the Wild Words Are – Language and Images Tickling Little Minds – radionica
5. Koraljka Pejić – Speak, Play, Win: Engaging Students Through Board Games – radionica
6. Okrugli stol

1. The meeting was opened by Anita Lasić, who welcomed all participants. She provided a briefing on the programme and outcomes of the 33rd Annual International HUPE Conference, highlighting the positive feedback received from attendees. Anita Lasić informed the participants about several upcoming activities, including the next HUPE Conference, scheduled to take place in Zagreb on 20–21 November 2026, the upcoming Storyland short story writing competition, the online HUPE Day, and a potential teacher training programme in Devon planned for 2026. She invited the attendees to contribute to HUPEzine by sending their articles by 10 December 2025.

2. The first workshop, Kreativno izražavanje kistom i stihovima, delivered by Ivana Bokavšek and Anica Bašić, enabled the participants to express themselves through a poem in English and, using a combined technique of watercolour and ink, creatively express their interpretation of the given motif, inspired by an artwork of the famous Wassily Kandinsky. The workshop emphasized the importance of authenticity and originality, as the given model was not copied but served only as an inspiration for creating their own artwork. The presenters showed how to effectively merge two school subjects into an integrated lesson in order to stimulate students’ perception, imagination, creativity, engagement, and motor skills at different levels.

3. The second workshop was presented by Dajana Vukadin – Brain Breaks in the EFL Classroom: Energise, Refocus, Learn! Participants discovered how short, playful brain breaks could energise, refocus, and motivate students in the EFL classroom. This practical session explored the science behind movement and learning, introduced a variety of EFL-friendly activities, and offered hands-on demonstrations to support attention, reduce stress, and enhance language retention. Attendees walked away with ready-to-use ideas and planning tips.

4. The third workshop was delivered by Slađana Curić Petričević – Where the Wild Words Are – Language and Images Tickling Little Minds. It proved that picture books are a powerful tool in early language learning, especially in preschool and lower primary grades. They foster vocabulary, story comprehension, and speaking skills by engaging children in transmediation - the process of connecting visual and textual signs. This approach supports project-based learning and helps children actively construct meaning through interaction with images and words, making language learning meaningful and enjoyable.

5. The fourth workshop was delivered by Koraljka Pejić – Speak, Play, Win: Engaging Students Through Board Games. This was a hands-on workshop designed for English language teachers looking to boost student engagement and enhance speaking and vocabulary skills through the use of board games. Participants explored creative, interactive games like Giri, Impossible Decisions, and the Three-Round Word Game to foster language fluency, critical thinking, and teamwork. By incorporating these fun and versatile activities into their classroom, teachers can gain practical tools to make learning more dynamic and effective. No expensive materials needed - just creativity and enthusiasm.

6. The final item on the agenda was a round-table discussion held over dinner in a trendy local restaurant. The aim was to encourage participants to socialise, get to know one another better, exchange ideas, and initiate meaningful professional networking. The relaxed atmosphere provided the perfect setting for strengthening connections and fostering future collaboration.

The meeting was carried out in an extremely relaxed and motivating atmosphere. It was very successful and ended at 9:00 p.m.

Anita Lasić
HUPE Split Branch President