Estonian schools abroad start a new school year with joy, traditions and songs
Estonian schools abroad are much more than educational institutions – they are community centres where different generations, languages and cultures meet. Merike Barborak sums up the start of the school year.
Schools are the tool for preserving the Estonian language and traditions and forming a shared sense of belonging far from one’s homeland. On weekends, children, parents and teachers come together to learn, craft, sing and play. It’s not just a learning experience, it’s a common experience of being Estonian. The beginning of the school year is always special in these communities, as if it were a small festive day that gives new energy to the whole school year.
While in Estonia all children start school on 1 September, local circumstances shape the schedule and traditions around the world. In some countries, school starts already in August, in others in mid-September; In the southern hemisphere, for example, in Australia, the arrival of autumn does not mean the beginning of the school year at all. Nevertheless, it is a close-knit practice in Estonian schools abroad to start a new academic year in the month of wisdom.
At Stavanger Estonian School, the school year started on 7 September with the theme ‘Summer break’. The children recalled their holidays in Estonia, talked about ice cream eating, the construction of sand castles and urban adventures. Children sang songs to their classmates who had had their birthdays during the summer, the children who started their first year formally received their primers and the children who had participated in the Global School’s book competition were presented with awards. Together they also made warm cards with some summer warmth added to them for their grandmothers and grandfathers, which were posted so that they would arrive in Estonia on time – by Grandparents’ Day.
In several schools, the students were also greeted by representatives of the Estonian state. The 14th year of the Estonian School in Washington was opened by the Estonian Ambassador in Washington. The students and teachers of Estonian School in the Netherlands were also welcomed by the Estonian ambassador to the Netherlands, who presented children with primers.
At the Laeken European School, the start of the school year was modest but heartfelt – cake was eaten together in class and children gave flowers to teachers, which always moves their local colleagues.
The Estonian School in Cologne started its 13th school year with a festive assembly, the Estonian anthem and bags with the school logo for new students. Singing the popular Estonian song ‘Oh, kooliaeg!’ has become a tradition for the first day of school. This time, an exhibition on the history of Estonian primers was also opened.
Sometimes the school year doesn’t start in the classroom. The Estonian School in Riga had to spend the first week outdoors due to renovations, which provided a lot of joyful opportunities for communication for the children and helped the new pupils to quickly integrate with the school family. A picnic in Trädgårdsföreningen Park was once again held in Gothenburg, where soap bubbles, nature bingo and a dice game brought joy. The New York Estonian School traditionally starts the school year with a camp, where you can go to the pool and sauna, and roast marshmallows on the fire between classes.
Adult language courses have also begun in earnest after the summer holidays. For example, in the Alberta Estonian community in Canada, courses are organised for those whose ancestors left Estonia as early as in the 19th century. The constant interest in the Estonian language throughout many generations is also an inspiring example for younger learners.
The beginning of the school year in Estonian schools abroad means, above all, reuniting. Children, families and teachers share summer memories, welcome new students and prepare for the new academic year together. Each school has its own image and customs, but everyone has a common goal – to keep the Estonian language and culture alive outside Estonia.
The Estonian state supports this commitment every year. The Ministry of Education and Research, through the Institute of the Estonian Language, gives all first-year pupils a primer – a symbolic marker from the beginning of their schooling. In addition, the Institute of the Estonian Language supplies schools with educational material and digital educational material licences. Monthly online trainings for Estonian teachers abroad will also start again in September.
Wishing a happy and knowledgeable school year for all students, teachers and parents!
Merike Barborak
Institute of the Estonian Language - coordinator of the Estonian school network abroad
