Estonian School in London Begins First School Year
16.09.2009
On Saturday, 5 September, the Estonian School in London began its first school year with an official ceremony that included the children, parents, teachers and supporters of the school. The event was opened by Estonian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Margus Laidre, who read greetings from Minister of Education Tõnis Lukas and Minister of Culture Laine Jänes.
Minister of Education Tõnis Lukas wished the Estonian School in London a good school year and successful studies. “Now Estonian children living in London also have a better chance of preserving their language ties and improving their knowledge of their mother tongue,” Lukas noted. “The Estonian language is the most important trait of the Estonian identity—throughout history our language has been the primary tool to pass along our culture and hold our people together,” he added.
Minister of Culture Laine Jänes said that the opening of an Estonian school in London makes a great contribution to the preservation of the Estonian language and culture. “Our language and culture are unique, and when we are abroad, among many other cultures, they are even more unique,” said Jänes in her greeting. “Teaching in our language is so valuable for the children, and in this way the connection with their roots will remain in the bottom of their hearts,” she added.
The Estonian School in London is an Estonian-language school that was established by parents with the support of the Estonian Embassy in the spring of 2009. By the beginning of September there were 36 children registered at the school, and instruction will take place in four different groups twice a month on Saturdays. The school’s space is in the Chiswick Community School’s Adult Education Centre in West London. In addition to the Estonian Embassy, the Estonian School in London has also received the support of the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Culture, the Estonian Institute, and many others in Great Britain and in Estonia. Estonian has been taught earlier at Estonian Houses in London, Bradford and Leicester. The children’s summer camp held in Catthorpe Manor in Central England celebrated its 60th anniversary this year.
Everyone who is interested in the Estonian School and would like to support the school or register their children can contact the school via email at eestikool.london@googlemail.com. Information about the school can be found on the school’s website www.minusaatkond.co.uk/eestikoollondonis.
Eesti Kool Londonis alustas esimest õppeaastat
Laupäeva, 5. septembri pärastlõunal alustas Eesti Kool Londonis koos laste, lastevanemate, õpetajate ja kooli toetajatega pidulikult esimest õppeaastat. Ürituse avas Eesti suursaadik Ühendkuningriigis Margus Laidre, kes edastas president Toomas Hendrik Ilvese tervitused ning haridusminister Tõnis Lukase ja kultuuriminister Laine Jänese pöördumised.
Haridusminister Tõnis Lukas soovis Eesti Koolile Londonis head uut algavat kooliaastat ning kordaminekuid õppetöös. “Nüüd on ka Londonis elavatel eesti lastel paremad võimalused keelesidemete säilitamiseks ning emakeele täiustamiseks,” märkis Lukas. “Eesti keel on eesti identiteedi kõige olulisem tunnus - läbi aegade on keel meile olnud peamine kultuuri edasikandja ja rahvuse kooshoidja,” lisas ta.
Kultuurminister Laine Jänese sõnul annab Eesti kooli avamine Londonis suure panuse eesti keele ja kultuuri järjepidevuse säilitamisele. „Meie keel ja kultuur on erilised ning võõrsil, paljude kultuuride keskel veelgi erilisemad,“ ütles Jänes oma tervituses. „Oma keeles õpetamine annab lastele täisväärtuslikuma elu ja nii püsib side oma juurtega sügavamal südamesopis,“ lisas ta.
Eesti Kool Londonis on eesti õppekeelega kool, mille asutasid lapsevanemad Eesti saatkonna toetusel 2009. aasta kevadel. Septembrikuu alguseks on kooli registreerunud 36 last ning õppetöö hakkab toimuma neljas erinevas rühmas kaks korda kuus laupäeviti. Kooliruumid asuvad Lääne–Londonis Chiswick Community kooli territooriumil asuvas täiskasvanute koolituskeskuses. Eesti saatkonna kõrval on Eesti Kooli Londonis toetanud haridus- ja teadusministeerium, kultuuriministeerium, Eesti Instituut ning paljud teised nii Suurbritanniast kui Eestist.
Eesti keelt on varem õpetatud Eesti majades Londonis, Bradfordis ja Leicesteris. Kesk-Inglismaal Catthorpes suviti peetav eesti lastelaager tähistas sel aastal 60. juubelit.
