Project meeting Estonia

Sixth project meeting in Haapsalu, Estonia

23^rd of April to 27^th of April 2014

            From April the 23^rd to April 27^th 2014, 12 pupils and 21 teachers from partner countries took part in the 6^th meeting of the Comenius project “Strong Health, hAppy PEople – SHAPE”, held in Haapsalu, Estonia.

            The aims of the fifth meeting were:

1. Presentation of activities made by each school
2. Evaluation of the partnership progress
3. Discussion of possible problems
4. Decisions of the format of the next assignments
5. Planning the next activities 
6. Reminding the period of future project meetings
7. Comenius SHAPE products (website, presentations, photos; CDs/DVDs)
8. Familiarizing our guests with certain aspects regarding the Estonian culture and civilization and the Estonian educational system;
9. Motivating the participants to adopt a healthy lifestyle by engaging themselves in the suggested activities.

            The participants arrived on the 22^nd of April 2014.

            23^rd of April 2014 was the school activities’ day. On this occasion, the guests were introduced to the local staff and pupils and visited the school. While students played some board games, teachers were presented some information about the school and the educational system. A short presentation of SHAPE project was also displayed. After a break for a healthy breakfast, we attended a festival of traditional songs and dances performed by the Estonian pupils and danced together with our hosts some Estonian folk dances.

      In the afternoon the local coordinators met in a working session to discuss about aspects regarding the partnership’s progress, the future activities, the responsibilities of each member of the multinational team, the final products and ways of making them, the deadlines for future activities and products. Meanwhile, students played bowls.

            On the 24^th of April 2014 we went to Europe Direct Läänemaa where we were informed about the region. Later on we were welcomed by the Mayor of Haapsalu. In the afternoon, teachers were offered a guided tour of Haapsalu and participated in an aerobic workshop in the town. Meanwhile, students participated in an orientation game, then visited the Haapsalu Episcopal Castle and participated in an aerobic workshop at school. On the 25^th of April we were offered a guided tour of Tallinn, on which occasion we found out interesting information about Estonia’s history, culture and civilization.

            On the 26^th of April we departed for Hiiuma Island by ferry. The guide told us a lot of legends connected with the island’s past. We saw interesting places, such as Suuremõisa castle, Rebastemäe hiking trail, Kõpu and Tahkuna lighthouses, Cross hill, The Eiffel Tower.

   On the 27^th of April all participants departed to their country with great memories of a hospitable country with a rich history and very friendly and hospitable people.  

            The meeting’s programme was highly connected with our project’s theme – healthy lifestyle – and gave the participants the opportunity of improving their knowledge on other educational systems and on other countries’ elements of culture and civilization.