(8 May) Organized by the Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, the Estonia Educational Trip 2024 has concluded successfully. Principal Dr Chan, Vice Principal Mr Kwan and I (Assistant Principal Dr Lee) were glad to be a part of the adventure. Click the following buttons for the highlights of the trip as reported earlier:
As for the answers to my daily questions, here are some suggestions and extended information (as many questions don't have a definite answer):
Day 1, Question 1
Ans: The staff member dressed like that to look like villagers in the medieval time. They were trying to create the medieval atmosphere as they sold their snacks. As for the Frisbee, the lady told me that she would wave it at birds to scare them away when they came to steal food.
Day 1, Question 2
This place was the venue of Tallinn Coffee Festival. We went there to experience this special festival that we don't have. There were many booths from different coffee companies showcasing their coffee-related products. There was so much for us to see.
Day 2, Question 1
These orange devices were scanners in a supermarket named Selver. These devices were named SelveEkspress and customers can use them to scan the products they want to buy. In the end, customers with these devices can go to a different corner for checking out to save time.
Day 2, Question 2
These black items are in fact rings. These are designed by an Estonian accessory designer who got the inspiration from different famous architectural work, and that is why there were photos of famous buildings there.
Day 3, Question 1
I do not have a definite answer to this. But I remember Mr Kwan telling me that he missed his classes during this trip. So, my best guess is that he was thinking about our school and schoolmates.
Day 3, Question 2
I may be wrong but this tree is a mulberry tree. Its odd shape may be due to that it was trimmed. I think it is like many desperate and intertwined hands stretching and yearning to be freed.
Day 4, Question 1
These kind of chair are actually common in Estonian schools. They are designed to have a "shelter" to it to create an enclosed effect so that you will feel more isolated from the environment. Also, when you talk to yourself or another person next to you, you will find your voice echoing and more focused.
Day 4, Question 2
If I were to answer this, I would say that the class size is smaller, the students don't have to wear uniforms, and students are more relaxed in class (boy on the left removed his shoes!)
Day 5, Question 1
The sign seems to be telling us about how the ancient shepherds scared away wolves to protect their sheep. They used a wooden noise-making device known as "rattle" for this purpose.
Day 5, Question 2
This picture's actually name is "Grandfather and Grandson", by Vassili Golonski, probably an artwork in the late 19th century. I personally like this picture for its great details and vibrant colours. Strong sunlight can be seen in this painting, creating sharp shadows to make the two figures even more distinctive. The natural facial expressions on the faces are extremely realistic too.
Day 6, Question 1
The shoe rack here is for students to change shoes when they step into the campus. Estonia's bad weather often causes shoes to be wet and muddy. Students often keep a pair of "indoor shoes" in school on the shoe rack for this reason.
Day 6, Question 2
This lunch system is actually very nice to train students' self discipline. YWC is having a similar lunch procedure as students need to do their own clearing up after their meals. But they don't scoop the food up themselves. Estonian children get lunch and do clearing up by themselves which is a sign of independence. If our school had a big canteen for our primary students, this system would be very nice.
Day 7, Question 1
This is actually their "staff room". It is where their teachers have meetings and do their own work. It is also a common room for them to have a coffee or relax bit in between lessons. The puzzle on the table is something their teachers were working on! Interestingly, their "staff room" doesn't have piles and piles of books or worksheets for teachers to mark! A lot of students' work is done and marked online!
Day 7, Question 2
This artwork is a mozaic using recycled plastic items such as recycled bottle caps, broken toys and buttons. I think it is telling us the importance of recycling things and saving the Earth. Also, seemingly useless items can become beautiful and special if we put in more skills and imagination.
Day 1, Question 1
Ans: The staff member dressed like that to look like villagers in the medieval time. They were trying to create the medieval atmosphere as they sold their snacks. As for the Frisbee, the lady told me that she would wave it at birds to scare them away when they came to steal food.
Day 1, Question 2
This place was the venue of Tallinn Coffee Festival. We went there to experience this special festival that we don't have. There were many booths from different coffee companies showcasing their coffee-related products. There was so much for us to see.
Day 2, Question 1
These orange devices were scanners in a supermarket named Selver. These devices were named SelveEkspress and customers can use them to scan the products they want to buy. In the end, customers with these devices can go to a different corner for checking out to save time.
Day 2, Question 2
These black items are in fact rings. These are designed by an Estonian accessory designer who got the inspiration from different famous architectural work, and that is why there were photos of famous buildings there.
Day 3, Question 1
I do not have a definite answer to this. But I remember Mr Kwan telling me that he missed his classes during this trip. So, my best guess is that he was thinking about our school and schoolmates.
Day 3, Question 2
I may be wrong but this tree is a mulberry tree. Its odd shape may be due to that it was trimmed. I think it is like many desperate and intertwined hands stretching and yearning to be freed.
Day 4, Question 1
These kind of chair are actually common in Estonian schools. They are designed to have a "shelter" to it to create an enclosed effect so that you will feel more isolated from the environment. Also, when you talk to yourself or another person next to you, you will find your voice echoing and more focused.
Day 4, Question 2
If I were to answer this, I would say that the class size is smaller, the students don't have to wear uniforms, and students are more relaxed in class (boy on the left removed his shoes!)
Day 5, Question 1
The sign seems to be telling us about how the ancient shepherds scared away wolves to protect their sheep. They used a wooden noise-making device known as "rattle" for this purpose.
Day 5, Question 2
This picture's actually name is "Grandfather and Grandson", by Vassili Golonski, probably an artwork in the late 19th century. I personally like this picture for its great details and vibrant colours. Strong sunlight can be seen in this painting, creating sharp shadows to make the two figures even more distinctive. The natural facial expressions on the faces are extremely realistic too.
Day 6, Question 1
The shoe rack here is for students to change shoes when they step into the campus. Estonia's bad weather often causes shoes to be wet and muddy. Students often keep a pair of "indoor shoes" in school on the shoe rack for this reason.
Day 6, Question 2
This lunch system is actually very nice to train students' self discipline. YWC is having a similar lunch procedure as students need to do their own clearing up after their meals. But they don't scoop the food up themselves. Estonian children get lunch and do clearing up by themselves which is a sign of independence. If our school had a big canteen for our primary students, this system would be very nice.
Day 7, Question 1
This is actually their "staff room". It is where their teachers have meetings and do their own work. It is also a common room for them to have a coffee or relax bit in between lessons. The puzzle on the table is something their teachers were working on! Interestingly, their "staff room" doesn't have piles and piles of books or worksheets for teachers to mark! A lot of students' work is done and marked online!
Day 7, Question 2
This artwork is a mozaic using recycled plastic items such as recycled bottle caps, broken toys and buttons. I think it is telling us the importance of recycling things and saving the Earth. Also, seemingly useless items can become beautiful and special if we put in more skills and imagination.
There are many great responses from our boys and it was indeed hard to choose who did better! But in the end, congratulations to these amazing students who gave my questions rich and thoughtful responses and each of them received an Estonian souvenir from me:
3D Evan Lam
5B Zech Chan
5E Cadence Wong
5E Darren Luk
6A Aldon So
6A Preston Sze
6B Charlton Lau
6C Caspian Yeung
6D Anders Kan
6D Karlos Ching
6D Pascar Wong
6E Sylvester Chan
It was a great trip and I look forward to sharing more things with YWPS boys soon! Stay tuned!
Dr Lee ^o^
3D Evan Lam
5B Zech Chan
5E Cadence Wong
5E Darren Luk
6A Aldon So
6A Preston Sze
6B Charlton Lau
6C Caspian Yeung
6D Anders Kan
6D Karlos Ching
6D Pascar Wong
6E Sylvester Chan
It was a great trip and I look forward to sharing more things with YWPS boys soon! Stay tuned!
Dr Lee ^o^
