RESPONSABILITY OR HOW THE OLDEST STUDENTS HELP TO YOUNGEST ONES IN FINLAND

About godstudent system: The older students are looking after in the beginning of schoolyear specially when pupils are out in schoolyard during pauses. So if younger ones have to go to toilet they help, or if someone is lonely and does not find any friend to play with the older ones help. The 1st and 5th classes usually eat together.

When we go to church or museum or some other place they walk together. It happens sometimes that the older students behave better when they have to be an example to younger pupils. They have readinglessons together (last week in halloweenday the older pupils read ghoststories to younger pupils). They can also have some other lessons together (arts, naturelessons outside, swimming etc.)

In spring they go together to eat ice cream to celebrate becoming summerholiday. The older pupils give some small present (like some photo) to younger ones. The younger pupils give a rose to own godstudent when they are leaving to upper grade.

Until last spring it has been two years to have godstudents. But now we have to think this again because we are going to have pupils from 1st to 9th class from next August.

There are grown ups always near to see how the cooperation is working. Nearly always it is working well. The older pupils talk often about their godsons or -daughters. In the beginning the older students are very eager to be together with their godchildren but in second year not anymore so eager.
And: we are having this system between "normal class" and specialneedschildren, too.