OUR SCHOOLS

HOW LONG IS YOUR SCHOOLYEAR?
In Finland schoolyear begins in the middle of August and ends at the end of May; we have 190 schooldays in a year. In Cyprus school year starts on the first Monday of September and finishes at the end of June. In Poland school year starts on September 1st and finishes at the end of June.
HOW ABOUT HOLIDAYS?
In Finland in our school:
- Autumn holiday: 1 week in October
- Christmas holiday: about 2 weeks
- Winter holiday: 1 week in February
- Easter holiday: 4 days at Easter
- Summer holiday: about 2,5 months

We have got:
- Christmas holiday - 15 days
- Easter holiday - 15 days
- About 10 days off due to national and religious feasts.
- Summer holiday - about 2 months

 We have got: - Christmas holiday - 10 days
- Winter break - 2 weeks
- Easter holiday - 5 days
- 4 extra days off during the year
- Summer holiday - about 2 months
WHAT KIND OF SCHOOL SYSTEM DO YOU HAVE?
In Finland kids begin school seven years old. (pre-school at the age of six, but it is voluntary). We have comprehensive school; all the pupils study same school subjects from class 1 to class 9. After that you can choose between high school or vocational school.

Kindergarten is from 3 to 6 years old.
Primary school - classes 1-6, age 6 - 12
Lower Secondary School (Gymnasium) - classes 1-3, age 12-14
Upper Secondary school - classes 1-3, age 15-17
School is obligatory till the age of 14

 Kindergarten is from 3 to 6 years old. Primary school - classes 1-6, age 7 - 12
Gimnazjum - classes 1-3, age 13-16
Secondary school - classes 1-3, age 17-19
School is obligatory till the age of 18
DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR SCHOOL?
Comprehensive school is free, you don't have to pay for that. Even school lunch is free. We usually have lunch at 10.45: crispbread, butter, milk, salad and the main course, for example chicken, meat, fish, rice, pasta, potatoes and vegetables or soup. We don't pay for our education. Books and stationary are provided by the state. We don't pay for school. However we have to pay for lunches and we get: soup, main course: meat, potatoes, salad, and additionally fruit, sweets.
DO YOU HAVE BREAKS?
Between the lessons there is a 15-minute break. Usually we go out if there is not too cold (colder than -15 Celsius) or if it is not raining too much. We can play something, walk, run or just talk with friends. After the first two periods we have a 20 min break. After the second two periods we have a 10 min breaks and after the third two periods we have another 15 min break. During break time children eat their snack and play. We have breaks after each lesson, but they differ in length - the shortest lasts 5 minutes, the longest - 20. We do not go out in winter or when it is raining. We spent our breaks talking, running, walking and playing games.
WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL LIKE?

Our school is situated in Kaipola. It is a small village in southern Finland. There is a very big papermill near the school, about two kilometers. Our school is quite little, 110 pupils, six classteachers, school assistant, part-time English teacher, German teacher and special teacher. There are classes from 1 to 6.

The schoolbuilding is guite big and renovated a few years ago. Next year, when we go to class 7, we have to go to a bigger school about 7 kilometres from here. We go there by bus. Now we walk to school or come by bike.

Our school is situated in Limssol, the second largest city of Cyprus. It is a city that combines both greek ancient ruins and modern development. It is city situated near the sea so it is touristically developed. Around Limassol there are lots of grape and orange fields.

In our school there are about 400 students, more than 20 teachers of whose a few are part-time teachers. There are classes from 1-6. Each class consists of around 20-30 students.
The school building is quite big and its really new. It is 5 years old!

You can have more information in the page we have sent you about our school.
Our school is situated in Bytom, quite a big city in the south of Poland. It is an old and industrious city (coal mines and factories, many blocks of flats). This year we celebrate the 850th anniversary of the founding. In our school there are about 500 students, more than 30 teachers of whose a few are part-time teachers. There are classes from 1-6. Each class consists of around 20-30 students. The school building is quite big. It is about 100 years old. After finishing the primary school we will go to gimnazjum, but since the school network is very dense we will not have to travel far.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN PE LESSONS?
We practise athletics, do gymnastics as well as play all kinds of games: football, basketball, volleyball, floorball, icehockey, bandy and Finnish "baseball". In winter we ski and skate and sometimes go swimming to the swimming hall. In PE lessons we do a variety of things. We have track and field, football and basketball. The class takes place in our school's stadium. Most of the lessons we spend like you, but we do not ski or skate. The classes take place in the gim and in the nearby stadium.
DO YOU HAVE HOMEWORK AND TESTS?

We have a lot of homework in English and German. And lots of tests in English, German and mathematics.

We have a lot of homework and tests in almost all subjects.

 We have got a lot of homework and tests in Polish, maths, science and English.
Click here to see our timetable for class 6. Click here to see our timetable for class D3 (fourth grade - 9 years old) Click here to see our timetable for class 6a