Traditions

The Spirit of Reaal
Despite the fact that the school has had many different names over the course of time, many traditions have been kept alive and passed on from generation to generation. Our school has its own symbols: the school flag, the graduate badge, the school ring and the black student cap with a golden band around the edge. The school also has its own anthem, for which the lyrics were written by Ilmar Mikiver, who graduated in 1940.

The school’s motto is “One for all and all for one!” Through decades certain ceremonial rituals have been followed, for example, the school’s birthday celebration (for all students), the ring ceremony (for year 11), the graduate badge ceremony (for year 12) and the last school bell ceremony (for year 12).

The school’s birthday celebration
Every year on September 29 our school celebrates its birthday. On that day all the students and teachers gather in the stadium to eat a birthday cake together.

The Ring Party
The School Ring party is a traditional event, started in 1942, takes place outside the schoolhouse and is organised entirely by the students. The main ritual is the redemption of the rings that is followed by the call “One for all and all for one!” The rings are placed on a rapier and the oath is sworn to remain faithful to the principles of the school.

The School Badge Party
In the autumn of their last school year, soon-to-be graduates and the teachers selected by them receive their school badges. The badge ceremony, led by a host and a hostess, takes place in the evening. In the beginning the occasion and the festive dance party is celebrated by all members of the Gymnasium part of the school (year 10 to 12). At 9PM, however, the graduates sing the younger students out of the school with this little verse “Out, out of the schoolhouse, it’s bedtime for those, who haven’t got their badges on”. After younger students have left, badges are redeemed according to a certain ritual.

The Final Bell – Graduation Ceremony
On the last day of school all the graduates come to school wearing national costumes. A festive meeting takes place and culminates in singing “The Leaving Song”. In the afternoon all students from final grades gather at the Estonian Open Air Museum to celebrate it.

The Day of Alumni
Every year on the last Saturday of January, alumni of the school come together to the historic schoolhouse to meet old friends, classmates, teachers and other alumni. The attendance is usually around 500 people, except when the school has round number jubilee years when the attendance is considerably higher.