ON 1ST OF MAY, I spent my vappu, again, with IB DP2 and two DP1 students. At 8.15, the train to Tikkurila seemed to be totally empty but someone lying down between the benches raised their head when I stepped off. At school, I took a couple of pics for Instagram and for this yearbook entry while waiting for the students. Wearing my white cap from the 20th century, I looked at the flying flags against the blue sky.

Everyone arrived on time. We started with the final exams papers 2 and 3 in Philosophy at 9.30. One pen was not writing properly. With a new pen, we were done at 12.05. 

After some donuts and mead (someone also brought food for themselves) we continued with the final exams in Mathematics, a compulsory subject for all, at 13.30. Couldn’t mail the exams because of the holidays, left as early as at fourish. Many people on the train on my way back!

The rumor has it, that three biggest Finnish DP Coordinators (=not me) cornered the top IB examination officer in the Dublin conference in October and told them that the 1st of May is a really big holiday in Finland and in Scandinavia (obviously, this is not so true for Sweden or for Norway but what do they know). We don’t want to be examined on the 1st of May! And look – in the examination schedule for May 2025, May 1 says ”no examinations”.

I have spent vappu 15+ times with IB students. It was always fun. Next time, when I unbox my white cap, it will feel weird, whatever I do.

Text and photo: Maarit Berg, IB DP Coordinator