School Peace (Est. Koolirahu) is a nationwide movement in Estonia aimed at supporting a safe and caring school environment for students, teachers, school staff, parents and other parties of the school community through cooperation.
Each academic year, one city or municipality is chosen to hold the title of School Peace Town, where the nationwide School Peace Declaration Ceremony takes place on September 1st.
All schools across Estonia are invited to join the School Peace movement each academic year to support the creation and maintenance of a safe school environment.
In a Koolirahu school, we:
- NOTICE, LISTEN TO, AND RECOGNIZE EACH OTHER
- HOLD TOGETHER AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER
- ARE INVOLVED IN SCHOOL LIFE AND COLLABORATE
- VALUE LEARNING AND TEACHING
- SUPPORT MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
- CREATE AND MAINTAIN A SAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
Let’s set a good example for one another – change begins with ourselves!
SCHOOL PEACE SYMBOLISM
The School Peace logo can be downloaded here.
The official symbol of School Peace in Estonia is the hedgehog. In folklore and children’s literature, the hedgehog is seen as fair and friendly, with a kindly grumbling nature. Encountering a real hedgehog is both magical and heartwarming.
The School Peace Hedgehog is prickly on the outside but has a good heart and a fair mind inside. Sometimes, in its hurried scurrying, it may accidentally poke others. The School Hedgehog isn’t malicious, even if it sometimes raises its quills. It may do so in defence of justice and kindness, not out of anger or the wish to harm.
The School Peace Hedgehog tells you and me, confidently and convincingly, that a lively, balanced, and peaceful school life is possible – if each of us contributes. Through cooperation, our small efforts unite, and together we make every school day a great one.