从北极圈的芬兰，来了一位老师......
A Teacher from the Arctic Circle: A Finnish Friendship Comes to Life
近日，世外小学国际部迎来远道而来的 Kimmo 老师。他跨越山海，从北极圈的芬兰来到校园，在世外小学国际部一段时间的“挂职”里，和孩子们一起上课、嬉戏、探究。一场温暖的跨国交流，让中芬教育的美好约定，在这片校园生根发芽。
这份情谊，早在 2024 年春天就埋下了种子。当年 4 月，世外小学张悦颖校长远赴芬兰罗瓦涅米实地走访，感受当地的教育。芬兰教育重视师资，尊重孩子，那次访问之后，世外小学就和罗瓦涅米教育局签下了合作备忘录。同年 6 月，芬兰拉普兰省省长 MIKA 和 ILKKA 主任回访世外，看过学校的课程，见过孩子们的模样，连连称赞。从那以后，世外每年都会组织师生去芬兰游学十天。今年，芬兰的Kimmo 老师来到了上海，赴这场温暖的约定。
Recently, WFLPS International Division welcomed a special guest, Mr Kimmo, who travelled all the way from Rovaniemi, Finland, near the Arctic Circle. During his time at the school, he joined students in learning, playing and exploring. This meaningful exchange brought the educational partnership between China and Finland to life, strengthening a friendship that continues to grow.
The seeds of this friendship were planted in spring 2024. In April, Principal Zhang Yueying visited Rovaniemi, Finland, to learn about its education system. Impressed by Finland's emphasis on teacher quality and respect for children, WFLPS signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Rovaniemi Education Department following the visit.
In June of the same year, Lapland Governor Mika and Director Ilkka visited WFLPS, expressing their appreciation for the school's curriculum and students. Since then, WFLPS has organised annual ten-day study trips to Finland for teachers and students. This year, Mr Kimmo's visit to Shanghai marked another meaningful step in this growing partnership.
操场当课堂，在玩乐中探寻知识
Mr. Kimmo 来访的时候，恰逢五年级在开展 “文化遗产” 跨学科探究单元的学习。Mr. Kimmo选择了一种不同的教学方式，直接把 UOI 课堂搬到了户外。凭着多年户外教学的经验，他把运动、游戏和数学思考融在一起，使教学增添了更多趣味和互动。
As part of their inquiry into Cultural Heritage, Year 5 students enjoyed a different approach to learning with Mr Kimmo. Drawing on his experience in outdoor education, he transformed the playground into an outdoor classroom, combining physical activities, games and problem-solving to make learning more engaging and interactive.
Kimmo 老师为一二年级的孩子们带来了芬兰特色体育课。他言语亲切，动作活泼，循序渐进地带领孩子们学习篮球运球、传球的基础动作，在游戏中练习运动技能。
Mr Kimmo also introduced Year 1 and Year 2 students to Finnish-style PE lessons. Through demonstrations, games and group activities, students practised basic basketball skills, including dribbling and passing, while developing coordination and teamwork.
笔墨寄心意，卷轴赠远客
交流临近尾声，五年级的孩子送上了一份亲手准备的礼物。之前在课堂上，大家已经学着制作传统印章、练习书法。这次他们完成了一幅卷轴，底图是万里长城，上面写着 “游憩此间，如归故里”，搭配温暖的西语谚语 “Mi casa es su casa”，还盖上了孩子们自制的 Kimmo 名章和世外校章。 一笔一画，一方印章，都是孩子们实打实的心意。他们想告诉远道而来的 Kimmo 老师，在这里就像在家一样，大家也满心期待，一个月之后在芬兰再相聚。As Mr Kimmo's visit came to an end, Year 5 students prepared a special gift to thank him for his time at WFLPS.
Building on their recent learning about traditional Chinese calligraphy and seal-making, the students created a scroll featuring an illustration of the Great Wall of China. The scroll included the Chinese phrase “游憩此间，如归故里”, expressing the hope that Mr Kimmo would feel at home during his visit.
Alongside it, the students included the Spanish saying “Mi casa es su casa”, meaning “My home is your home”.
To complete the gift, they added handmade seals featuring Mr Kimmo's name and the school's seal.
The scroll was a thoughtful way for students to share an aspect of Chinese culture while expressing their appreciation for their visiting teacher. It also reflected the friendships formed during his time at the school, with students looking forward to seeing him again in Finland the following month.
教研共话，互学互鉴
除了陪伴孩子们上课，Kimmo 还给全体中外教师做了分享。他向大家介绍了芬兰的教育概况，大家互动研讨，分享各自的教育理念与教学策略，取长补短，互学共进。
Mr Kimmo's visit also provided an opportunity for professional learning among staff.
During a session with Chinese and international teachers, he shared insights into Finnish education. Teachers discussed different approaches to teaching and learning, exchanged experiences and reflected on ideas they could apply in their own classrooms.
These conversations provided valuable opportunities for professional growth and helped strengthen the connections between educators from both countries.
极光相隔万里，童心没有边界。这场短暂的相遇，不只是一次来访授课，更是一次文明的双向对话。世外小学将继续搭建这样的交流平台，让孩子们扎根本土文化、心怀四海，在一次次互学互鉴中，长成有中国底色、全球视野的小小世界公民。
Building Connections Across Cultures
Although Finland and China are thousands of kilometres apart, the visit highlighted how much students and educators can learn from one another.
Through outdoor learning, collaborative activities and cultural exchange, students experienced different approaches to education while also having opportunities to share their own traditions and experiences.
WFLPS International Division looks forward to continuing its partnership with educators in Finland and creating more opportunities for students and teachers to learn together.
By building strong connections with their own culture while developing an understanding of the wider world, students can grow into confident, open-minded global citizens.
