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Saaremaa Ühisgümnaasium has a long history and during these long years it has developed many interesting and enduring traditions. So we can talk about the school´s traditions that are meant for all students, teachers, graduates, parents, town people and visitors.
But the teachers of SÜG are also just humans and
do not deal with teaching only. They want to lower their stress and so
they spend their free time with several events that have also become
traditional. So they live teachers´
social life.
A school can only be strong if it has its own traditions and if these traditions support the aims in education. We have tried to follow this principle in our school and we hope that we have succeeded.
Now more closely about the traditions that have been formed and maintained throughout the years.
Grade 10 camp
It is the first event of the schoolyear, a
two-day camp where new classes can get acquainted. They are told about
the school´s working schedule, given uniform caps. Graduates
visit the camp. There are several cultural events and sports
competitions.
September 1st
There is a procession into the castle yard
through the town, where the year opening assembly takes place. As there
are many students in our school, it is the only time during the year
when all the school family can be together.
Olympic Games
They take place every four years. Prior to
the games, there is a fire lightning ceremony on the “Olympos”. On the
first day of the games, there is a procession and a cultural programme,
on the second the competitions take place. The participants are from
all grades (1-12), every class forms one “country” with its own name,
flag and uniform. We have the olympic anthem, a flag and a mascot.
Students are convinced that such an event instead of a usual sportsday
is more exciting.
Teachers´ Day
On the day prior to Teacher´s Day,
students of grade 12 take over teachers´ and the board´s
authority as they have to give lessons next day. Real teachers also
have a couple of lessons given by students in the morning of
Teachers´ Day. They are followed by a surprise which during the
last years has been a small trip. In the afternoon, students perform a
concert that they have prepared on their own. In the evening, teachers
perform to the students with a programme. For instance, we have had an
election of Maximiss and Maximister, the contest of unknown talents etc.
Freshman Week
During this week, grade 12 organizes
different trials for grade 10 to get them acquainted to school life.
The week ends with a party where classes of grade 10 introduce
themselves, they are “christened” and grade 12 performs with a
programme. Lately, we have tried to follow the principle of festivity.
Fathers´ Day
This event is mainly meant for elementary
school. Pupils give a concert to their fathers, there are sports
competitions and class parties.
Kadri-Mardi Volleyball Tournament
It is one of the most popular sports
events during the whole schoolyear. In addition to students, there is
also a teachers´ team taking part in the competition.
Contest of Minimiss and Minimister
Meant for grades 4-6.
Christmas Week
Each year, a thorough plan is worked out
for this week. Some examples of what has taken place except for the
usual christmas parties: concerts during the lesson breaks by the
chamber choir and singing groups, fairy tale breaks for elementary
school, morning discos in the schoolyard, christmas fair or lottery, a
nostalgy evening by the school poetry theatre, performances in
kindergardens and the town hospital, a concert by the chamber choir and
poetry theatre for the town people in the castle. The same programme is
presented at the reception of the headmaster for the teachers which
also takes place in the castle. This reception is followed by a party
for teachers where the premiére of the cabaret by grade 11 takes
place, this year for the 14th time already.
School´s birthday
An assembly-concert takes place on this
day, we have also had graduates visiting lessons, classes have made
presents to the school, the winner of the school picture is announced
by this day. The winning picture is given to the most noteworthy
teachers and students for the work done. We have also had a cake party
together, each class having made one part of the cake. In the evening,
the cabaret show takes place.
The graduates´ party
It takes place every year. The cabaret
show is performed.
Happy Shrove Tuesday
It is a event that unites sports
competitions, different cultural programmes and eating buns to
celebrate Shrove Tuesday.
Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia
The winners of essay and poem competition
will be announced, some well-known politics have visited the assembly.
Miss Grace
It is one of the most popular sports
events at school. The best gymnastics group and individuals will be
elected in grades 5 through 12. Each group performs with one compulsory
programme and one made by themselves.
School Top
A competition between classes.
Theatre festival
This festival has taken place for 8 years
and it grew out of the alternative competition to the all-Estonian
school theatre festival. It has by now become one of the most
influential cultural events at school. Over 100 students take part in
the work of the organizing committee and the participants have come
from about 20 schools every year.
Culture festival
It is an event with a more than 30-year
history. It grew out from the so-called “honour days” to V. Kingissepp
after whom the school was once named. The festival consists of the
whole week full of different events that every year have a specific
theme (art, journalism, music, sport, humour etc). There are
exhibitions, plenary sessions with guests, subject contest, concert,
reception of the headmaster for the best students and participants of
out-of-school activities, and for their teachers and parents. We have
always had visitors from other schools.
Senior party
This party is thrown to grade 12 by
“freshmen”. The evening is full of different competitions, contests,
and surprises. The best singers, dancers, and artists are found out.
Day of the last bell
The last bell is rung for grade 12. Class
lessons take place, grade 1 gives a concert. It is followed by running
through the town. In the evening, grade 12 has a party. Some classes
have run through everybody´s homes.
Radio programmes
Radio programmes take place every two
weeks in the local radio station “Kadi”. They are usually concerned
with the school events.
Homecoming Day
It takes place every five years.
Traditionally, the programme has included a visit to the graveyard, a
procession to the castle yard, an assembly where graduates of honour are
announced. A oak is planted. In the evening there is a party in the
schoolhouse where students perform.
The necessity of extracurricular events is proved by
the fact that even years after finishing the school, graduates try to
keep up with school activities and if possible, they take part in them.
ABOUT SOCIAL LIFE OF TEACHERS
by Viljar Aro, principal
FAREWELL TO SUMMER
It takes part on August 31st
every year and is meant for all school staff and their husbands and
wives in the inner yard of the castle with candles, flowers picked by
students, wine and a concert (e.g. brothers Johanson, Thea Paluoja,
Sirje Medell and Tiit Paulus etc).
SEPTEMBER 1ST ASSEMBLY
has sometimes been followed by a dinner
party.
TEACHERS´ DAY
is a trial for grade 12. Except for giving
lessons, they also organize a special lesson for teachers, followed by
a small trip where teachers can dance, sing, eat and drink at the
expence of students of grade 12. In the afternoon they can enjoy a
concert prepared and given by students. In the evening, the first party
evening of the schoolyear takes place where teachers perform with a
programme and organize a disco. The examples of the programme themes:
election of Maximiss and Maximister, Horoscope (parody of a well-known
musical programme of the 60s), Snow White and Seven Kids etc.
VISIT TO THEATRE
takes usually place during the autumn
holidays in Tallinn. We have also visited the English College, German
Gümnaasium etc.
CHRISTMAS RECEPTION
is organized by the headmaster, chamber
choir “Kreedo” and school poetry theatre group “Krevera” and takes
place in the castle with champaigne, visitors, ex-teachers etc.
CABARET PREMIÉRE
follows the Christmas reception. The show
has been thoroughly prepared by grade 11. It is always looked forward
to, just as the dance after the show and the meal made by school cooks.
TARTU MARATHON
Some teachers have taken part in Tartu ski
marathon (65 km) every year.
WINTER SPORTSDAY
It is meant for the whole families and has
never been cancelled yet.
WOMEN´S DAY
Men have tried to organize something for
woman teachers every year.
FINAL CEREMONY OF THE CULTURE FESTIVAL
is usually followed by a party for many
organizers and group leaders.
IN MAY we organize a day with an educational programme (brainstorming, an educational trip financed by school).
IN JUNE we try to celebrate Midsummer´s Day together.
It all makes us feel as one family that gives us strength to want and do more. Students will even study better because teachers are so willing.