Voluntary involvement means something – both for yourself and for others.

It is important for the school that all our students put an effort in voluntary work during the two to three years they are with us, because we believe that taking the initiative and having an influence contributes positively to the formation of the individual. And when the community is simultaneously strengthened through these initiatives, which often cut across school forms and classes, it also contributes to the well-being of the entire school.

Therefore, last year we launched the app BGConnect, which was developed by the teachers Stine Helth and Enrico Merker, so that the students have an easily accessible overview of the academic and social activities that are at Birkerød Gymnasium, but also to make it easier for the individual students themselves to create new activities and invite others to join.

In order to support the students' work in creating communities across the entire school, this year we have collaborated with the Academy for Community Developing Young People (AFU), which has visited BG to give a presentation to all the new first-year students at STX, HF, Pre-IB and IB as well as hold a special workshop for the students who are already leading the way in larger committees and clubs.

The workshop for rope holders was held on Monday 2 September. At this workshop, the students were taught management of voluntary activities, structuring of meeting activities, idea development as well as concretization and communication, etc. to dress them well for their task of leading a committee. After this, AFU held a presentation in both English and Danish for all our first-year students with the aim of inspiring our new students to get involved and take ownership of new exciting academic and social student activities.

After this, a committee presentation was held for all the first-year students, where they, among other things, could meet BG's Red Cross committee, the Student Council, the Events committee, the BG Ambassadors and the Environment committee. There was also a stand where they could get help setting up new activities.

There is no doubt that the project has meant additional wind in the sails for BG's many exciting activities! Several new student activities have already emerged such as a running club, Cakes and Crimes – a club for true crime enthusiasts, a book club, an investment club and much more – and enrollment in the activities has never been greater. We look forward to an exciting year with a focus on the community!