The new school year for Savremena’s third and fourth graders began with friendship, movement and time spent in nature. During the very first days of September, the students briefly exchanged their classroom desks for the greenery of Kosmaj, where they had the opportunity to reunite after the summer break, talk, play and enjoy quality time with their classmates.

On Wednesday, September 2, the fourth graders headed to Kosmaj, while the following day, Thursday, September 3, it was the third graders’ turn to enjoy this small outdoor adventure. Instead of their usual lesson schedule, they were welcomed by a day filled with walking, outdoor activities, laughter and memorable moments together.

This kind of start to the school year offered students an excellent opportunity to gradually return to their school routines while renewing friendships in a relaxed and stimulating environment. Far from the classroom, yet still very much within the spirit of learning, Kosmaj became a place where new memories were created, classroom bonds were strengthened and students were reminded that a school day can look completely different while remaining equally meaningful, engaging and valuable.

It was a cheerful introduction to the months ahead and a chance to begin a new chapter of school life with plenty of positive energy.

A change from the students’ everyday school environment allowed them to spend the beginning of the new academic year at a different pace. Surrounded by the nature of Kosmaj, the third and fourth graders had plenty of room to move, play, talk and take part in activities that encouraged them to cooperate, stay active and enjoy their time together.

The special value of days like these can often be found in the spontaneous moments that happen outside the classroom. During walks, group games and outdoor activities, the students had an opportunity to reconnect with their friends after the long summer break, exchange impressions and take their first steps into the new school year together. In such an environment, communication, teamwork, mutual trust and a sense of belonging develop naturally.

Their time on Kosmaj also served as a reminder that learning does not always have to be connected with desks, whiteboards and textbooks. Nature offers countless opportunities for observation, exploration and asking questions, while experiences gained through movement and direct interaction with the surroundings often remain in students’ memories for a long time.

For this reason, the trip was much more than a pleasant break at the beginning of September. It was a day in which students strengthened relationships through play and shared activities, practised independence and cooperation, and began another important chapter of their school journey with enthusiasm, curiosity and plenty of positive energy.

The visit to Kosmaj is another example of Savremena’s “Classroom Without Walls” concept, which gives students opportunities to gain knowledge, skills and valuable life experiences beyond the traditional classroom environment. When learning moves outdoors, every conversation, shared task, walk or game can become an opportunity for discovery and personal growth.

Days like these are particularly meaningful at the beginning of a new school year. After a long summer break, spending time together in nature helps students reconnect, restore their sense of belonging and return to their everyday school responsibilities with greater confidence and motivation. At the same time, outdoor activities encourage cooperation, independence, curiosity and the ability to support one another.

For Savremena’s third and fourth graders, the beginning of September will therefore be remembered for much more than new notebooks, textbooks and a return to the classroom. It will also bring back memories of a day surrounded by the greenery of Kosmaj, filled with walks, games, conversations and laughter.

The school year has only just begun, but the students have already received another reminder that some of the most memorable learning experiences happen when they leave the classroom behind, step into nature and begin discovering the world together.