Everyone has the right to well-being, safety, and a peaceful learning environment in school

In our school, we place great emphasis on well-being, respect, and treating each other kindly. Our study environment is a safe and open community where everyone should be included and respected for who they are.

Mattlidens Gymnasium is a large school that is part of an even larger school center. We take care to consider each other, showing respect and understanding for individual differences, including various cultures, languages, lifestyles, and perspectives. In our school, we treat each other with kindness and demonstrate that we care about one another, ensuring inclusivity for everyone. You can read more about our efforts in our plan to protect students from bullying, violence, discrimination, and harassment, as well as in our plan for equality and nondiscrimination.

School rules

The purpose of our school rules is to promote internal order, undisturbed studies, safety, and well-being. These rules apply throughout the school premises, including during events, excursions, and study trips organized by the school.

• The lessons start and finish according to the timetable. Teachers take attendance during all classes, noting both absences and students arriving late in the Wilma system.

• During lessons, we focus on learning according to the teacher’s instructions. Using mobile phones or computers for purposes other than studying disrupts the learning environment and is therefore prohibited. A student who causes disturbances or refuses to follow the teacher’s instructions can be expelled from class.

• We behave well in common areas of the school, also considering elementary and preschool pupils who move within the building.

• We keep our spaces tidy for everyone’s well-being. Trash should be placed in designated bins, and empty bottles/cans in recycling containers.

• The student is responsible for damage caused to property belonging to the school or another student. The principal, a teacher or the caretaker should be notified immediately if damage occurs.

• In the dining hall, we follow good table manners and the school kitchen’s rules. Each student returns their tray and dishes to the designated area.

• If a student is taken ill during the school day they should see the school nurse or inform the teacher from whose lesson they will be absent.

• In case of an accident the school nurse or a teacher should be informed.

• Bicycles and motorized vehicles must be parked in the places assigned to them. General traffic rules apply on the school premises and in its vicinity.

• All use of intoxicants (including electronic cigarettes) is prohibited in the school area. 

• It is forbidden to be under the influence of alcohol or other illegal substances in school or during school-organized events and trips. It is also forbidden to bring or store any kind of intoxicants in the school.

These rules are supported by Finnish legislation. Violators of the rules are held accountable according to 42§ in Lukiolaki (the Upper Secondary School Act). Disciplinary measures include written warnings and temporary suspensions from school. Teachers may also expel disruptive students from the classroom for the remainder of the lesson.

Due to an increased number of students, we now follow a staggered schedule. See the images below for the lesson times for your year group - there's one schedule for preDP and one for DP1/DP2. 

The academic year is divided into five periods of roughly seven weeks each and the instruction in the different subjects is divided into separate courses/modules. In April there is a one-week so-called Flex week with a different timetable.

The timetable consists of different positions (1–8). The courses are placed in a single position each and are taught three lessons (each 75 minutes) a week to make up a whole course.

• In preDP, courses are generally three times a week for one period.

• HL subjects are three times a week throughout the year.

• SL subjects mostly run for two lessons a week all year, though the scheduling does vary between subjects.

• Make sure to follow your teacher’s instructions and check Wilma carefully if the group consists of both HL and SL students.

Form teacher and homeroom “GHT”

Every Tuesday your form group will meet at the weekly tutorial (GHT). Attendance is compulsory.

Project week

At the end of each period, the students in the national programme and preDP have their project week. IB DP students follow the same schedule, but the contents of the lessons (regular teaching and/or exams) are up to the teachers. During some project weeks IB DP students also have afternoon sessions that concern e.g. the Group 4 Project, Extended Essay, CAS, TOK and counselling. 

Make sure you keep track of your daily schedule. The most up-to-date information regarding other events and times than regular classes is found on the school calendar.

School lunch

In Finland students are offered a free school lunch every day. There are some 1,400 people who have lunch at Mattlidens School Centre daily, so please respect the lunch-time schedule to ensure that the system works properly. Also, make sure you follow the lunch hall's rules, e.g. take your tray away. Even if you have a skip lesson around lunchtime, you are kindly asked to only have lunch during your own slot. During project weeks lunch is served 12-12.30.

preDP students eat at 12-12.30

DP1-2 students eat at 12.25-13.05

Vegetarians and those with food allergies should notify the kitchen through the completion of a form at the school office. All allergies and intolerances require a doctor’s certificate. Only students who have requested a special diet are allowed to have dietary food.

In addition, porridge is served every morning (9.15 - 10.00) during regular school days. There is no porridge service during the project weeks. 

Student lockers 

As a student you get access to a locker where you can story school books and other belongings during the school year. The lockers are distributed at the beginning of each academic year by the caretaker. The caretaker is in charge of the lockers and must be contacted if you need a locker, lost your key or no longer need or want your locker. You must not give your locker to anyone or change lockers with a fellow student without going through the caretaker. His office is in the hallway between the cafeteria and auditorium. The lockers are for your personal use only and you must not give anyone else the right to use them. Lockers must be emptied over the summer even if you continue your studies in the autumn.

Transport

Students covered by the extended compulsory education have the right to free school trips if the distance to school is at least 7 km. Students apply for school travel support themselves online through OmaKela. The application is made separately for each school year. Kela disburses the compensation to the specified account. The HRT's / HSL's area includes Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, Kirkkonummi, Siuntio, Sipoo, Kerava, and Tuusula. Students not covered by the extended compulsory education (age 20) receive a discount on their trips.

 You don't need a school certificate; your study entitlement is checked automatically through the national Koski service when you purchase a ticket in the HSL app. Please note that you need to log in to MyStudyInfo and approve the transfer of your information to HSL before buying a ticket for the first time in the app. Further instructions are available on the HSL website. If studies continue for a full academic year (autumn and spring terms) or end at the end of the spring term, the student discount is valid until the end of August. If studies end at the end of the autumn term, the discount is valid until the end of January.

 Discounts on bus and train trips outside the capital region can only be obtained with an official student card. Both the Finnish Swedish School Students' Federation (Finlands Svenska Skolungdomsförbund r.f.) and the Finnish Upper Secondary School Students' Union (Suomen Lukiolaisten Liitto) grant student cards that students can apply for through their websites. These student cards are required to get student discounts on trains and long-distance buses. To prove that you are a student at Mattliden High School, take a screenshot from Wilma and attach it to the application.

School secretary Christel Weiss guides you in matters of school trips - you can write to Christel in Wilma or visit her in the office next to the principals' room.

Student grants and financial aid

Application forms and information about grants and loans are available on KELA’s website for students.

Student cards

The upper secondary school organisation Suomen lukiolaisten liitto has its own student card that can be obtained directly from the organisation (application online at lukio.fi). Contact the student union for further information. This card gives reductions on trains and long-distance coaches. (Also Finlands Svenska Skolungdomsförbund r.f. in Swedish.)