Tartu Mart Reiniku Kool

The history of Mart Reiniku school begins in the year of 1889 when the first class of 21 students started their education. The teacher then was Mart Reinik and he was the head of the school for the next 40 years. The school has a long history of 130 years making it truly a beam of light through a century which is the way the school defines itself as well. Today it is a primary school with two buildings side by side: at Riia 25 resides classes from first grade until fort grade and at Vanemuise 48 fifth grade until the ninth grade. Combined over 900 students are completing their primary education in Mart Reiniku school. Despite the size and two school buildings the community feeling has stayed strong thanks to numerous traditions that we keep in our school. For example Liikumispidu which is an annual event which started in the year 1968 and offers to all classes and the teachers as well a chance to present a thematic rhythmic performance at Vanemuise theatre. The year 1973 marked the start of a Muusikapidu which is still continuing and in addition to long traditions we also begin new ones. In the year 2012 we started organising Olympic games with an aim to increase understanding, tolerance among each other and again to further strengthen the community feeling. All the teachers and the school students were divided into delegations representing a country during the games. Prior to the event the students were studying on the country they got signed as well were making flags and t-shirts. For eight years now we have been making campaigns and collecting donations for different charitable events responding to critical situations happening in the world as well to improve our school. MRK Hea Teo campaigns has supported children in Ghana, wildlife in Australia and restored a historic piano belonging to the school. Couple of years ago a group of more active parents of our students formed a Parents Association in order to better support the school it’s teachers and the management board. Their goal is not to demand but rather to actually do something for the school. A great example of what they have done for the school is MRK Liikuma Kutsuv Hoov a complite renovation of the school yard between two school buildings in 2019 and it was funded from Tartu Inclusive Budget programme. The Parents Association came up with the idea and applied for the funding and as a result won with the concept a public vote. In addition Parents Association helps to organise annual school Christmas Fair, Hea Teao project and has put forward the idea of school uniforms which they want to carry through. The MRK school values that we bring in to our day to day school work are cooperation, caring for each other, being aware of our health and tolerance. As explained before the school cooperates closely with the Parents Association but also with the Student Council, alumnus and board of trustees. Those stakeholders are always included in the decision making. In 2017 MRK joined the KiVa programme which is the anti bullying initiative meaning that in our school bullying is not allowed or accepted and we all work for the goal that every student feels good as well cared for in our school. Also the parents are being informed about how to solve difficult situations as a part of the programme. As for fostering the health and wellbeing of our students MRK joined in 2016 a programme Liikuma Kutsuv Kool an initiative to be an Active School. A programme lead by Tartu University where in cooperation with different schools practical solutions are being developed in order to make the school days more active and joyful for children. We also put a lot of emphasis in providing a variety of extra curricular activities called Huviring for every childrens interest starting with dodge-ball and ending up with robotics. As a result of hard work we have active students taking part in numerous competitions and sporting events bringing back high places. We also have a very large and involved Stud