Class 6A Graduate - Thank You Kari Luoto

The end of primary school for class 6A at Joensuun School, Somero

Today is a big day for school children in Finland. It is the official start of the summer holidays, which is always a good thing. It is also graduation day for many.

Yesterday there were concerts and parties in schools everywhere (Cameron's class did a brilliant performance of the cup song).

Then this morning church services were held around the country to mark the end of the school year. Those who are graduating received roses to mark their special day.



End of school service at Somero Church

For Cameron, this was his last day at primary school (which in Finland ends at age 13), so he joined his classmates from Joensuun School at Somero Church who all received roses and a goodbye and good luck message from the younger pupils as they now move on to secondary school.

Having been to school in the UK, I have never lived these school time experiences myself, but today I got to be part of a day which will stay in our memories for ever. I overheard parents talking about the day they received roses as children and I couldn't help wishing that I had the same memories from my own school career. All of the parents in the church felt proud of their children. And I'll admit it, I cried.

Kari Luoto hands out reports

After the service, the children all went outside to be given their end-of-term reports and say their goodbyes until the start of the next school year, and for those in Cameron's class, a new school.  Of course all these events mark a milestone in the lives of these children, perhaps one they will only fully realise when they are a few years older.

Another thing that many will come to look back on is the teachers they have had during this important time in their schooling. And I could not possibly complete this post without talking specifically about 6A's teacher, Kari Luoto. Kari has been teaching the same class for the last four years, so for him too, today was a day which was full of memories and emotions.

I am lucky enough to count Kari as one of my friends, and I have lost count of the amount of times I have said a silent thank you to destiny for sending him to be the teacher of my son.

Kari has not just been a teacher to these students, but he has been their friend and mentor as well. As a musicican and artist, Kari's pupils have received the gift of being around someone creative who showed them on a daily basis ways of  expanding their horizons and "thinking outside the box". 

One day, these children will look back and see just how lucky they have been . I am pretty sure the parents know it already.  In our personal case, Kari was also the one male figure in Cameron's life who stuck around and provided an important male role model when there was noone else in our family to do it. So words cannot express how grateful I am that Kari came into Cameron's life when he did.

Class 6A perform the cup song at school yesterday

For all these reasons, it was both a happy and sad today for all of us. Sadness in leaving the good memories behind of Joensuun School behind, and excitement at what the future has in store at Kiiruun Koulu next term.

Good luck to all six year students who are moving on today. I wish you all a very happy summer. And thank you to Kari Luoto, who inspired and looked after the pupils of 6A and gave them all a gift they will never forget.

 

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Good luck to Class 6A!