On June 3rd our first year students visited the Estonian Defence League and Estonian Rescue Board in Jõhvi. In the Defence League building students enjoyed the museum room the most- they could touch and hold guns and pistols, see machine-guns. Outside they could ride in an army machine. During the visit to the Rescue Board students were told about fire safety and shown some staff rooms. On the way back home our first graders and their teacher made a stop in one of our teacher’s farm house where they could see and pet some lovely animals. It was a really fun and cool school day!

As a tradition, every spring students all around Estonia can get involved in a project by Räpina School of Horticulture. First, students receive tiny tomato plants from the school of horticulture and then it is their task to take care of them. And this year’s end result of out first year students is here. It took a lot of watering, fertilizing and also replanting. And now we all can see and some also taste the fruits of labour. Mmm...tasty!

On May 17 we had a family event which offered numerous activities and entertainment for our students as well as their whole families. The evening started with a collective folk dance called Terve vald (The whole county). After that there were different games in the sports hall and various workshops. People could do QR orienteering in the park, make cards and other crafts and get photos taken in the photo corner as well as outside.

On the last weekend in May all of our eight Home Daughters took part in an expedition to Muru shooting range in Avinurme. The girls gained a lot of new knowledge and learned some important survival skills which they could put into practise right away.  They orienteered in a forest, had to know how to read a map, give first aid and they could also practise accuracy shooting and walk and climb on an adventure trail. The girls practised teamwork by putting up a military tent and then putting it back together- a first experience for everyone.

The anniversary camp of Alutaguse Young Eagles regional unit took place from 17th to 19th of May in Karjamaa.  During the camp the boys learned railway safety, fire extinguishing, water safety and lifeguarding, fire making and rope walking. Young Eagles could test their agility in various competitive games. At the end of the camp there was a ceremony for welcoming new members, so now there are already 12 members in the Mäetaguse platoon. The camp activities were so engaging that the smart phones that were handed in on the first day returned to mind only before leaving for home.

For the very first time ever there were methods workshops for Alutaguse schools and the event took place in Mäetaguse Basic School. In the workshops teachers shared their experiences with colleagues. There were 15 different workshops, participants from 27 different schools and institutions. Altogether 151 people took part in the event.

The semi-final for competition called "Attention! Start!" among small schools was held in Paide on April 2nd.  The team from our school came to the 8th place.

Congratulations!

This year the regional English language competition took place in Kiviõli I Keskkool (High school). The best of the best of Ida-Virumaa young English learners (starting from year 5 and finishing with year 12) gathered to show and test their competence. Our school was represented by six students. The best results were shown by our year 7 student Christin Kurs who earned a proud 5th place. Our year 5 team which consisted of Alyn Hindreus, Karol Raidma and Marcos Mitt attained 7th place in their year group.

On March 27 more than 400 young basketball players took part in 3-on-3 basketball series final competition in Pärnu, Estonia.  Our school was represented by Jordan Puur, Joonas Puur, Riko Bogdanov and Marcos Mitt and they attained 18th place in the year 4.-5. category. Students were accompanied by our PE teacher Toomas.

On the second of April we had guests from Toila Gymnasium who gave workshops and performed a small introductory concert on handbells. The tradition of handbell playing originates from England and from there their beautiful harmonious sound has reached Estonia. Playing handbells helps to improve team work, develops musical literacy as well as musical hearing. Twenty-four students from our school (from year 2 to year 9) took part in the workshops. Great thanks to Toila Gymnasium’s year 5 handbell ensemble and their music teacher Stella Müsler!