19 January 2026
The first HUPE Zagreb branch meeting in the school year 2025-2026 was held on 4 December 2025 at Prirodoslovna škola Vladimira Preloga, Zagreb. The meeting started at 4 p.m. and went on for 3 and a half hours. Some thirty or so HUPE Zagreb members were able to attend this learning and socializing event.
The agenda included:
- Daška Domljan & Ankica Knezović, Future-Proof Skills: Why Presentation Skills Still Matter in the AI Era
- Tamara Maljcov: The Power of Storytelling Spoons: Boosting English Language Skills Through Interactive Narratives
- Dijana Štruklec i Ida Cvetković: “Rockin’ Around the Classroom”
- Marita Pavlović i Danijela Bejuk: Classroom activities for Advent and Christmas
- HUPE news
The meeting was aptly divided into two parts: the first two speakers reprised their amazing workshops presented for the first time at this year's HUPE Annual Conference in Poreč; and after that our creative and imaginative colleagues presented a myriad of Xmas activities one can take into classroom this season.
The first talk/workshop, sponsored by our wonderful partners Profil Klett d.o.o., brought Daška Domljan (and Ankica Knezović, who couldn’t com) who talked about presentation skills in this modern AI infused era. Too often, education emphasizes hard skills while overlooking equally essential abilities like communication and creativity. This workshop shifts the focus, showing that public speaking – a skill vital for success in all areas of life – is not an innate talent but a learnable, trainable skill. Join us to nurture these abilities at every stage of education, from primary to tertiary.
Next Tamara Maljcov Lulić demonstrated how to incorporate storytelling spoons into
English language teaching through engaging activities based on popular story ''We're going on a Bear Hunt''. Participants will discover how using simple props like spoons can bring the story to life, encourage student participation and enhance language skills.
The second part of the meeting, reserved for Xmas activities, started with our lovely hosts from Prirodoslovna škola Vladimira Preloga, Dijana Štruklec and Ida Cvetković, presenting their innovative and imaginative activities useful for this festive season.
Finally, two amazing English teachers working at the Children's hospital brought a range of great activities and worksheets they had made for working with students at Xmas time. After both workshops ended we were all left wondering how it is possible that none of their activities coincided. I guess, in this season to be jolly the creative juices flow even more! 😊
The last section of the meeting was reserved for some HUPE news presented by Petra Blajić, HUPE Zagreb Branch President. She gave the members some info regarding HUPE E-Zine and HUPE Newsletter, calling everyone to participate with their written essays or articles in either edition. Next, she talked about HUPE in Storyland competition and the changes awaiting contestants and their mentors this year. Petra also gave some info regarding HUPE Day and the next HUPE Annual Conference.
HUPE Zagreb, and its president, is sincerely thankful to the speakers and all the members who were able and willing to attend this meeting. The atmosphere of the meeting wouldn't have been so cosy and joyful had it not been for such amazing individuals attending it. And for those who weren't able to come: hopefully, we will see you at our next branch meeting in late March or early April.
Petra Blajić
HUPE Zagreb Branch President
