Erasmus Visit to Helsinki
Martti the School Dog at Paloheina Primary School Helsinki
St. Mary's teachers embarked on a transformative Erasmus+ trip to Finland and Estonia last week, with the primary objective of delving into the realms of Outdoor Learning, Early Years Learning, and Wellbeing. Their journey commenced in Helsinki on Sunday, September 29th.
On Monday, the group ventured to Tallinn, a captivating UNESCO World Heritage designated medieval city once known as Reval. This well-preserved Estonian gem provided a historical backdrop to the groups' visit to this part of the world.
Tuesday marked a visit to an outdoor school in Vantaa, where the teachers immersed themselves in the concept of learning outdoors. As they arrived, they were greeted by the sight of a local school group cooking over an open fire. The St. Mary's teachers engaged in conversation with the local teachers and pupils and actively participated in the children's forest exploration, aiding in their search for mini beasts. They were also captivated by the beautiful artwork created by the young learners using branches, twigs and stones from the forest floor.
Their host, Olli, extended an invitation to visit the outdoor school's 120-year-old timber schoolhouse, where they gained insights into its crucial role in providing outdoor learning opportunities for local schools. Intriguingly, they learned that reindeer, foxes and lynxes traverse the surrounding forest and that in winter the children search for their prints in the snow.
On Wednesday the St. Mary's group went to Paloheina Primary School situated near a large forest north of Helsinki. Satu, the principal, welcomed all for an extended visit. The St. Mary's teachers toured classrooms, met with pupils and received a comprehensive presentation on the Finnish education system. The school dog, Martti, accompanied them on their journey. This visit proved to be of great value as the St. Mary's teachers learned from their Finnish colleagues through meetings and discussion.
On the final day, the teachers visited an Early Years Centre located on the high-tech Supercell gaming software campus near the sea in southern Helsinki. Their host Mira shared valuable insights, enriching the visitors understanding of early childhood education in Finland. The state of the art building which housed the Early Years Centre was very impressive. The children, most of whom were children of Supercell employees enjoyed sharing some of the excellent onsite facilities on the campus.
The Erasmus trip to Finland and Estonia proved to be an enriching experience for the St. Mary's teachers. They gained a profound understanding of Outdoor Learning, Early Years Learning, and Well-being practices, fostering a deeper appreciation for these essential elements of education.
The trip also provided opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration with international colleagues, leaving a lasting impact on their professional development.
