A community celebration of creativity, collaboration, and a new chapter for BES
The Bilingual European School (BES) — part of the Globeducate network — marked a historic milestone on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, hosting an inauguration cocktail party at its Campus Resegone in Milan to celebrate two significant achievements:
The official unveiling of a large-scale mural created by Year 6 students in collaboration with Pao Pao, a Milan-based street art studio, and the formal inauguration of Campus Resegone itself — a state-of-the-art secondary school facility equipped with university-level science and multipurpose laboratories.
The evening brought together students, families, staff, and partner institutions for a shared celebration of creativity, community, and the school’s continued growth.
The Pao Pao Project — Art, Community and Urban Visibility
In April 2026, BES partnered with Studio Pao Pao to bring an ambitious creative vision to life: the design and creation of a full-scale mural on the perimeter wall of Campus Resegone on Via Resegone — one of the most visible, public-facing surfaces of the school.
The project unfolded over two months. 27 Year 6 students began with a series of classroom workshops, during which they developed concepts, built colour palettes, and refined their artistic vision under the guidance of the Pao Pao team. They then took their ideas outside, working with brushes, rollers, and spray paint in small groups to paint the mural directly onto the campus wall — contributing to every stage of the process.
The result is far more than a work of art. It is a statement about the role a school plays in its neighbourhood: not separate from it, but an integral part of it. The mural now stands as a landmark on Via Resegone — a visible expression of student creativity woven into the fabric of the city.
An Evening to Remember — Mural and Campus Inauguration
The completed mural was unveiled at the Cocktail Party on 29 April 2026, an evening that coincided with the official inauguration of Campus Resegone. The event welcomed families, students, and partner institutions to celebrate both the artwork and this important milestone in the school’s growth.
The programme opened with the welcome and arrival of guests, followed by opening remarks from Nicole Scalabrin, Deputy Head of School. Student ambassadors Anita and Gianaina — both participants in the Mural project — then took to the stage to address the audience, offering a firsthand account of the creative journey behind the mural. Their speeches were followed by remarks from Paolo Bordino, co-founder of Pao Pao Street Art Studio Milan, who reflected on the collaboration with the school and the project’s wider impact.
The centrepiece of the evening was the official ribbon-cutting in front of the completed mural, marking the dual inauguration of both the artwork and Campus Resegone.
At the heart of the event were the 27 Year 6 students whose creativity, collaboration, and commitment over two months made the project possible — recognised and celebrated by everyone in attendance.
Voices from the Evening
“This project was an educational and creative journey of about two months, during which the students reflected on what school means to them — expressing it through words, feelings, and drawings. It was a meaningful experience that strengthened our shared sense of community.” — Nicole Scalabrin, Deputy Head of School, BES
“We are very proud to have taken part in this experience within our school community. As students — especially in our language classes — we feel like pieces of a puzzle that, together, tell the story of the BES community. The mural carries an important message, not just for today’s students, but for those who will come after us: commit to building your own future.” — Anita, Year 6 student
“We created something unique, meant for future students too — something they will be able to see and recognise themselves in. I want to thank the school for making this project possible. We made it not just for ourselves, but for our school.” — Gianaina, Year 6 student
“This was a high-quality piece of work, and all the credit goes to the students. They learned to collaborate, to develop their ideas, and to work together to create something not just for themselves, but for the school and for future generations. At first they didn’t think they could achieve this, but step by step they discovered that an idea is built through a shared process. The most meaningful moment was the painting itself — everyone contributed. I hope this experience stays with them, and that one day they’ll be able to say with pride: I helped make that mural.” — Paolo Bordino, Pao Pao Studio, Milan
About BAPS & BES
The British American Pre-School (BAPS) and the Bilingual European School (BES) together offer an outstanding educational journey in Milan for children aged 2 to 18. Their programmes combine bilingualism, innovative teaching methodologies, and a genuinely international approach to learning.
British American Pre-School (BAPS) — Founded in 1987, BAPS is a full English immersion nursery and pre-school for children aged 2 to 6. Through its Full Immersion English Programme — designed specifically to adapt to each stage of early childhood development — children acquire English naturally and spontaneously, building solid foundations for lasting bilingualism.
Bilingual European School (BES) — Founded in 1999, BES is Milan’s first bilingual school and the natural continuation of the BAPS journey. A state-accredited institution, BES encompasses primary school (ages 6–11), lower secondary school (ages 11–14), and a bilingual scientific high school (ages 14–18). Its teaching staff — comprising qualified Italian teachers and native English-speaking educators — integrates the Italian national curriculum with the IBO’s Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), enabling students to obtain an internationally recognised dual qualification.
About Pao Pao
Founded in Milan in 2005 by artist Paolo Bordino, Pao Pao is a multidisciplinary creative studio with over 20 years of experience in public art, graphic design, exhibition design, and urban muralism. Known for a community-oriented approach that places art firmly within everyday life, the studio has created large-scale works across numerous Italian cities — from Milan and Como to Cuneo and beyond.
The collaboration with BES is a natural expression of this philosophy: bringing professional artistic expertise into the school environment and giving young people the opportunity to leave their mark on the city.
For more information about the school or to arrange a visit: BES Admissions Team | admissions@beschool.eu | www.beschool.eu Via Resegone, 1 — Milan and Via Val Cismon, 9 — Milan
Bilingual European School Milan · Member of the Globeducate Network
