Once I got up it was on a train, then the buses again and I was paranoid about being late, as I knew the Principal had to leave the school at midday.
Talk about the planets aligning for me today! I got to my local station and a train pulled in straight away. I got off at the bus station and there was a bus just about to leave, on the route I needed, so I jumped on. Did it matter that it was 30 mins earlier than the one I was planning to catch? Nope!!
I had taken the step of writing down the last few stops before the one I needed to get off at, and this proved a master stroke, as there was no way I would have seen it otherwise.
I once again followed my app, and again I was heading through roadworks and dodging heavy machinery, but as I could see that I was in the vicinity of the school I powered on.
It was amazing to go from a built up area to a setting that seemed like it was in the country in the space of 5 minutes of walking. On one side of the school was forest area, while on the other it was 'the burbs', and these houses and neighbourhood was beautiful to say the least.
The school.
The track I walked down to get to the school.
The burbs.
Another road leading to the school.
The burbs.
The school entrance.
The school.
On the soccer field.
The other side of the soccer pitch.
I then made my way into the school, and if the reception I got yesterday was great, this was even better. They could not do anything at all to make me feel more welcome and at home, something that was not lost on me.
I was taken to meet Hannah-Mari Salin, who for the next few hours was just fantastic to spend time with. A tour of the school and very quickly I discovered that this was exactly what I was hoping to see. It was so important to have the context of the school explained to me before the tour, as then I was able to see it through the lens that I was hoping to.
What struck me the most was that although the rooms were quite small, and that the furniture was somewhat traditional and dated (which they acknowledge) it was how the kids were learning that was impressive. There were no examples of the teacher instructing the whole class, as the kids were working in small groups throughout the building, and their teachers were roaming around and keeping tabs on them.
I know this sounds loose, but it was extremely effective, and the kids were engaged.
There was an incredible amount of trust given to the kids and they respond by not destroying this trust.
They were able to explain their learning, which is a major focus of how this school operates.
These kids really know themselves as learners.
A room for the special needs group. This is a group of 6 kids of various ages who come from different schools for a 6 week intensive program. Often their schools have given up on them, so Friisila do all they can to support these kids and change not just their school's perception of them, but their perception of themselves.
Hannah showing me a class project about propagating tomato seedlings, that will be planted outside in the spring.
Examples of their furniture.
A woodwork room, the kids are doing great things here.
The tool shed in the woodwork room.
A class during class time. The kids were working in small groups throughout the building. The board displays the task they are working on.
Another classroom.
Sewing machines in the craft room.
The special needs room, showing the individual desks for the kids. Note the portable partitions in the background to create personal spaces.
The special needs kids move their names along the spectrum to show where their emotional mood is at various times.
A daily timetable. The yellow stands for shared work time, the red is quiet time and green is where they can choose which one they want to do.
The lunch room, where teachers and kids eat together. Free lunches are supplied daily by the govt.
The focus on learning, that all kids know and can explain.
With Hanna the Principal, the most lovely and generous person.
A blueprint that the kids are working on in the woodwork room.
The special needs kids use these mood logos on their desks.
Today was just brilliant and it exceeded all of my expectations. What I have shown here is just a snapshot of the bigger picture. Hanna loaded me up with presentations about the school philosophy, and also about effective school leadership, something that will no doubt come in handy to me.
I had arranged to visit another school tomorrow, but I had a recent email from them asking for a schedule change, which was hard to do as I was already booked at another school on Friday. I suggested perhaps later on Friday after my earlier visit, but I still have not heard from them, so it is very frustrating.
To my dismay, they are very slack at responding to emails, so it looks like I won't be visiting anyone tomorrow, a big shame as I have travelled so far to see them.
On Friday I am visiting my last school, then I have the weekend here before flying back to London.
Until my next post,
Cheers!!
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