How back-to-school works in other countries
Getting Alex ready learners ready for back-to-school through taking a look at how other countries prepare to welcome back their learns.
As school bells rang across Alexandra in January, signalling the start of a fresh academic year, many children, parents, and teachers were preparing for the return to school.
Afrika Tikkun Bambanani, a non-profit organisation that specialises in the upliftment and education of young children in South Africa, is no stranger to the Alex community’s needs.
The organisation’s CEO Theresa Michael reflected on some of the unique traditions that make the first day back special for learners worldwide.
Different cultures have their own fun and unique back-to-school traditions. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the quiet villages in the North Pole, it’s interesting to learn how children in various countries usher in a brand-new school year.
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- United States: The Classic School Supplies Hunt
In the United States, a significant back-to-school tradition is the school supply shopping spree. It’s a cherished part of getting ready for the first day of school, where children and parents go hunting for new notebooks, pencils, erasers, and the all-important backpack. Many children also enjoy getting their ‘first-day-of-school’ outfit – the excitement of new school clothes can rival the anticipation of the classroom itself. It’s often a fun yet chaotic day of gathering everything from the latest tech to fresh stationery, all to ensure learners are prepared for the year ahead.
- Mexico: La Fiesta de Regreso a Clases
In Mexico, the return to school is marked with a vibrant celebration known as La Fiesta de Regreso a Clases, or the Back to School Party. This isn’t just any party; it’s a time for children to celebrate with their classmates and teachers, reconnecting after the long summer break. It often involves music, games, and even piñatas, which are filled with school supplies instead of sweets. It’s a fun way for children to ease into the new year, with a festive twist that keeps the excitement alive.
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- Germany: The Exciting Schultüte
One of the most delightful back-to-school traditions takes place in Germany, where children starting their first year of school are given a Schultüte, a giant cone filled with goodies, school supplies, and little toys. This colourful, decorated cone is given by parents, godparents, or grandparents to the child as a way to make their first day of school extra special. The Schultüte tradition symbolises the excitement of starting school, with a dash of sweetness to make the transition from home to school even more enjoyable.
- South Korea: The ‘Back to School’ Feast
South Korea has a tradition where the first day of school is celebrated with a big family feast. Families gather together to have a ‘baekban’ meal, which consists of a large variety of dishes, and learners are encouraged to eat heartily in preparation for the academic challenges ahead. It’s a time for families to show their support and encourage their children to do their best in the upcoming school year.
- Russia: First Bell Ceremony
In Russia, the back-to-school season kicks off on September 1 with the highly anticipated First Bell Ceremony. Children, especially first-graders, wear their best school uniforms and are greeted by teachers, parents, and older learners. The day is marked by a special bell-ringing ceremony, where the first-graders are officially welcomed into the school community. It’s a day filled with joy and excitement as families gather to celebrate the new school year and the new beginnings it brings.
- France: Back to the Blackboards
In France, the first day of school is called La Rentrée. It’s serious business. Learners return to school armed with their finest notebooks because, in France, stationery is an art form. Forget plain spiral notebooks; we’re talking about elegant grids, precise margins, and fountain pens. Très chic.
- Sandton
Across Sandton, various schools usher in Grade 1 learners in different ways. At Bryanston Parallel Medium School, for instance, a new tradition was inaugurated in 2024 where incoming Grade 1 learners ring a bell which stands in the school’s quad, announcing to the school that they have arrived.
Tell Alex News how you were welcomed back to school this year:
What makes how you celebrated the first week back at your school in Alexandra special? Beginning with the sentence: “What I enjoyed most about returning to school this year is …”, all school-going learners in Alexandra are invited to write to Alex News to tell us what the most special thing about returning to school was for you. Send all your written (typed) reflections of no more than 200 words to lebogang@caxton.co.za. Remember to include the email subject line as: Back To School Feedback.
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