Realschule im Bildungszentrum Weissacher Tal
A long name shortly explained
Realschule Is the type of school we are (as explained below). The Bildungszentrum (short “BIZE”) is the name of the school compound. Weissach im Tal is the community we are located in.
What is special about the BIZE?
The BIZE unites three different kinds of schools: Gemeinschaftsschule, Realschule and Gymnasium. Every kind works independently and offers different graduations. We use the sport facilities, library, lecture hall, cafeteria and many rooms more together. The close cooperation between the teachers and the principals makes us strong.
What exactly is the Realschule?
This school offers graduation after class 10. The students are taught on a medium level. The advanced level can be gained at the Gymnasium after Realschule.
Erasmus+
We received our accreditation in 2022. We are motivated to discover other European countries and their schools. Job-shadowing, exchange programs and more is thinkable.
The first Erasmus courses for teachers were taken in Ireland and Iceland.
Through Erasmus+, we have had the wonderful opportunity to participate in exchanges with Denmark, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. These experiences have allowed us to build lasting friendships, explore diverse cultures, and broaden our horizons in meaningful and unforgettable ways.
Our experiences with Erasmus so far
April 2023: Exchange to Porto
The first Erasmus project we participated in was themed "Do it green" and took sixteen of our students to Porto. In return, we had the pleasure of welcoming twelve Portuguese guests to Germany. Both sides invested a lot of time in preparation, but the intensive joint activities made the effort more than worthwhile. Workshops on sustainability topics such as calculating the water footprint, analyzing water quality, and creative clothing upcycling provided numerous opportunities to raise environmental awareness and exchange innovative ideas.
September 2023: Exchange to Denmark
As part of the Erasmus project “Stereotypes”, 25 of our students traveled to Agerbæk, Denmark, to collaborate with their Danish partners on an intercultural project. The focus was on creating videos and posters, which were later showcased in an exhibition at the school. A special highlight was the opportunity to interview Danes in Aarhus, gathering firsthand insights on the topic of stereotypes. The program was rounded off with a variety of leisure activities, including an unforgettable visit to Legoland.
October 2023: Portuguese students visit us
“Do it green” was the theme of the Erasmus project with Portugal that we participated in. It brought sixteen of our students to Porto, and twelve Portuguese students had the opportunity to visit us in Germany. Both sides invested a lot of time in preparation, but the results were absolutely worth it. Workshops on topics such as students’ water footprint, water quality analysis, and clothing upcycling were just a few examples of the activities we worked on together
October 2023: Exchange to Italy
In October 2023, ten of our students had the opportunity to participate in a special exchange project in Terracina, Italy. Under the theme “Roman remains”, history was uniquely combined with physical activity: a sailing course complemented the exploration of ancient Roman sites. Thanks to the excellent organization of our Italian partners, the participants had an unforgettable week. The impressions from Terracina, Sperlonga, and Rome will surely remain in the students’ memories for a long time.
April 2024: Exchange to Terracina, Italy
Under the theme “Roman remains”, ten of our students had the opportunity to participate in a special exchange project in Terracina, Italy. Our Italian partners organized an impressive week that allowed the participants to experience the fascinating history and culture of the region firsthand. Together, they explored the ancient sites of Terracina, visited the historic town of Sperlonga, and were inspired by the stunning backdrop of Rome.
In addition to the cultural highlights, the exchange program provided numerous opportunities for meaningful interaction and connection, leading to lasting friendships. The experiences of this unique week will undoubtedly remain in the students' memories for a long time.
May 2024: Italian students visit us
As part of the "Roman Remains" project, we had the pleasure of welcoming Italian students to Germany in the spring. During their visit, the participants continued to explore the influence of the Romans on European culture. The diverse program offered numerous opportunities to discover historical and cultural connections: In addition to visiting the Mercedes-Benz Museum and participating in a cooking workshop where the students learned about Swabian cuisine, whose roots date back to antiquity, the students also toured the Limes Museum in Aalen. There, they gained fascinating insights into the Roman frontier fortifications and life at the edge of the Roman Empire.
In addition to the thematic activities, there was time for joint excursions and creative workshops, where the students worked together across national borders. The exchange played a key role in not only better understanding historical contexts but also discovering cultural commonalities and deepening friendships.
September 2024: Exchange to Agerbæk, Denmark
For the second time, our students visited Agerbæk Skole to explore cultural similarities and differences with their Danish partners as part of the Show me your culture project. The diverse program provided numerous insights into Danish life: from frying traditional meatballs to a trip to Legoland, a picnic in the forest, and exciting padel tennis matches. The visit to the coast of Blåvand also offered an opportunity to exchange ideas about regional traditions and everyday culture. The shared time not only enhanced the understanding of different ways of life but also encouraged a deeper engagement with cultural differences.
October 2024: Exchange to Figueres, Spain
For one week, our eighth-grade students had the opportunity to exchange their classroom for sunny Spain and immerse themselves in the cultural diversity of Catalonia. Under the theme Cultural Identity, they visited the famous Dalí Museum in Figueres, explored the historic streets of Girona and Barcelona, and enjoyed the coastal town of L'Escala. A special highlight was the Sardana workshop, where the students had the chance to experience the traditional Catalan dance firsthand. The trip provided a unique opportunity to discover various aspects of Catalan culture and understand its significance for regional identity.
Some more facts about our school our students want to share with you
Our school was built in 1975. There is just one floor, so people with physical disabilities won´t have problems. Right now, there are 1300 students. Our first lesson starts at 07.25 am and ends at 12.35. There are two big breaks. Lessons in the afternoon are possible once or twice a week. Typical lessons we have are German, English, Maths, Biology, Religious Education, Art, Geography, History, Physical Education and many more.
After class six you can choose between three additional profile lessons. These are French, Technique or AES. AES is about daily life issues such as social behaviour or nutrition.
We are never really bored at the BIZE. There is the “Freizeitpavillon” where you can play games like Air hockey, pool, darts or table football. There are special workshops like dancing, climbing, chess and many more. There are also project days, project weeks and many excursions. At the moment we are building a green classroom.
When we have problems, we can go to the social workers.
The BIZE tries to give orientation on what job could be the right for you. Therefore, work experiences are mandatory.
Feel free to visit our school and get your own opinion.
Ida, David, Joy, Lena, Jana, Hannah, Larissa, Sarah, Linn (class 10g)