Help & Counselling

Career and education guidance counsellor

Dear students,
Dear parents,

As you approach the end of your school career, the topic of choosing a career or course of study is becoming an increasingly important focus. It is both beneficial and important to start considering suitable and possible paths after school at an early stage.

As a careers adviser with the Job Centre, I have been at DFG-LFA since the 2019/20 academic year and visit classes to highlight the many opportunities available during careers guidance sessions.

During one of my consultation hours at DFG-LFA (08:00 to 13:15), I answer questions from pupils.

My upcoming appointments:

10.09.2026
08.10.2026
29.10.2026
05.11.2026
12.11.2026
26.11.2026
03.12.2026
17.12.2026

I have listed below a selection of the questions I am regularly asked:

• What’s next for me after this school year or after my A-levels!?
• How can I find out which vocational training or degree course suits me best?
• What vocational training and degree options are available?
• Should I do vocational training or go to university? Or is it possible to do both?
• Where can I find suitable opportunities? In Germany, in France, in another country, or in several countries at once?
• When do I need to take which steps? What dates and deadlines do I need to bear in mind?
• What alternatives are there to my dream job?
• What transitional options are available? (FSJ, FÖJ, au pair, etc.)
• Where can I find out more?
• What financial support is available?
• How do I write a good application?
• What are the entry requirements?
• …

The pupils themselves decide which questions and topics to discuss; the content of the conversations is confidential.

The counselling service is impartial and free of charge. Conversations can take place in German or French. For further information, I have access to a strong network of German and French individuals and organisations.

To book a consultation, please contact the school office. There is a folder where pupils can sign up for appointments.

In addition to the consultation hours, there is also the option of face-to-face counselling at the Saarland Job Centre (Hafenstraße 18) or via video consultation.

Face-to-face counselling at the Job Centre or video consultation – by appointment

• Video communication has the advantage that we can see each other and I can share useful information and websites on screen.
• To book a face-to-face or video appointment outside of the school’s consultation hours, simply fill in the contact form on this page. I will then get back to you with a specific proposed appointment time.

Kind regards,

Julien Robichon

School social worker

Dear pupils,

My name is Alina Weinmann. I am your school social worker at DFG-LFA.

✆ (0049) (0)1729698187
✉ alina-weinmann@dwsaar.de
✪ Tuesdays & Fridays, Room 1.34 (at DFG-LFA)

If the door is open, you’re very welcome to pop in!

Available daily from 8 am to 4 pm by email or mobile to arrange an appointment.

Topics might include:

• Problems at home
• Friendships
• Problems at school
• Fears & worries
• Pressure to perform
• Grief
• Identity
• and much more

Parents, guardians and teachers are also welcome to make use of this service.

As your school social worker, I’m happy to be there for you, to listen and to offer support wherever I can.
I’m bound by professional confidentiality and will keep what we discuss between us.

I look forward to getting to know you!

Liaison teachers

We are Leslie Roig, an English teacher at DFG-LFA for the past 12 years, and Julien Reppert, a teacher of Geography, Social Studies and History for the past 7 years.

We are delighted to have been elected as liaison teachers and are happy to support you.

As liaison teachers, we are here for you, we listen to you and make time for conversations. Whether you have questions, problems or simply feel the need to talk – you can contact us at any time.

We’ll take the time to talk to you and, if necessary, work with you to find solutions.

You can speak to us at school or send us an email (Leslie Roig / Julien Reppert) to arrange a meeting with one of us.

Team Harmony: Working together for a positive school environment

As all students have the right to learn in a calm and safe environment, our school is fully committed to combating bullying. As part of the French ‘Non au harcèlement’ (No to Bullying) programme, we are taking concrete measures to raise awareness, prevent bullying and provide support.

Every member of the school community has a role to play in this. The trained and supportive members of the Harmony Team lead this initiative within the school. They support the children and their families with kindness, a listening ear and confidentiality.

Our motto is: “Your problem is my problem.” Because when it comes to bullying, no one should be left to cope on their own. Let’s work together to make school a place where everyone feels respected, supported and safe!

Speak to us directly or get in touch using the form below:

Student Mediators

What is mediation (dispute resolution)?

Mediation is a discussion in which the parties involved, together with the mediator (dispute resolver), seek a solution where, in the end, there is not one ‘winner’ and one ‘loser’, but two winners.

The mediator is not a ‘judge’ and does not impose any penalties.

Every year at our school, pupil mediators are trained so that, once they have completed their training, they can conduct mediations in pairs.

The teachers in charge are Mr Uloth and Ms Hawke-Pasterkamp.

Message to the mediation team:

School Support Dog Timmy

Timmy, the school support dog, introduces himself:

Hello!

My name is Timmy – actually ‘Sean-Timmy vom Taffingsweiher’, but that name’s a bit too complicated for me. I’m a proper Golden Retriever and was born on 5 February 2020 in Saarlouis. When I was nine weeks old, I moved in with Mrs Burg and her family. Since November 2021, I’ve been working with great enthusiasm as a school support dog at DFG-LFA.

My owner has been teaching German and PE for over 20 years and was able to teach me all the tricks that come in handy at school. DFG-LFA is a big school, full of people, smells and noises that I first had to get used to. But now I’m a pro and have nerves of steel. This has even been officially confirmed – in what’s known as a ‘temperament test’. Only dogs that are very relaxed and keep their cool in any situation are allowed to work in a school. The training was very comprehensive, lasted a whole school year and ended with an exam for my owner and me.

My hobby is searching for and retrieving so-called dummies, which people throw or hide for me. Thanks to my keen sense of smell, I find them and bring them back to the people. Retrieving is simply in my blood, and I was even named after it.

Since we dogs have such a great sense of smell, my owner lets me search for even the tiniest things, like a coffee bean. I’m also a real water lover. But that makes sense, since I was bred for water work.

Once I’ve gotten to know you and my owner gives the okay, I love getting petted. When meeting new people, I also use my nose and will sniff your hand first. I really enjoy it when you pet me on the neck. If it feels especially good, I’ll roll onto my back and let you pet my belly, too.

There are also things we dogs don’t like so much—for example, when someone just runs up to us, leans over us, or pats us on the head from above. We find that rude, and it sometimes scares us. You also shouldn’t touch us dogs from behind without warning—it startles us. But you kids would probably feel the same way.
When a person squats down in front of us and holds out their hand, we dogs quickly gain confidence and get excited.
I really like people, especially little ones. There are also kids in my family at home, so I’m especially good with young people.

I really enjoy working at school. When my owner ties my school scarf around my neck in the morning, I just know: Here we go!
My calm demeanor helps the whole class relax. Everyone quiets down and concentrates much better. And if a child is feeling down, I’m happy to offer comfort and listen.
I also love helping my owner with her teaching: I hand out handouts and assignments, tell you if your answer was right, roll the dice for new challenges, or quiz you on sentence components during German class. Often, the kids read me dog stories, and we cuddle while they do. But of course, I also love being outside with you, going on hikes, or playing.

Ms Burg introduces herself:

My name is Petra Burg. Timmy lives with me and my family. I grew up surrounded by all sorts of animals, and Timmy is my first dog who also helps me in my work with children.

I studied German and Physical Education to become a teacher, as well as Sports Science (Health and Preventive Sport) for a diploma in Saarbrücken. I have been teaching at Franco-German High School for over ten years. This is where Timmy comes in; his presence helps to create a pleasant learning atmosphere. Animal-assisted education isn’t just fun – it leads to greater learning success and fosters class cohesion.

As I love nature and enjoy being active, a dog is the perfect fit. Retrieval training is our shared hobby – we’re a well-coordinated team at that. We also regularly go for bike rides together.

» more information (external link: padlet.com)

List of contacts and telephone numbers for emergencies

» Other counselling centres in Saarland