IB - International Baccalaureate (Etelä-Tapiolan lukio)
Etelä-Tapiolan lukio is an IB world school, offering the prestigious Diploma Programme, a fascinating education in itself and a passport to higher education. Welcome to Etis IB!
IB in Etis
In a nutshell
We are proud to be one of the seventeen IB schools licensed to operate in Finland. General information about the IB diploma program can be found here(ulkoinen linkki).
- Annual intake: 50
- Applications for the pre-DP are submitted through the joint application system www.opintopolku.fi(ulkoinen linkki) (for more information, see How to apply(ulkoinen linkki))
What makes Etis special?
In a word, the answer has to be the atmosphere – which is busy, purposeful, inclusive and respectful. We know how to enjoy ourselves as well as get results. In these conditions, students are best equipped to realise their academic potential, foster social awareness and find scope for personal growth.
Etelä-Tapiolan Lukio (known affectionately as “Etis”) enjoys an unrivalled reputation for excellence while the English language line has more than twenty years of expertise in delivering a quality education of its own. The school is a short walk away from the new metro in the heart of Tapiola. The WeeGee building, housing the school, is something of a landmark in Espoo, while the airy classrooms and modern, twenty-first learning space on the third floor allow for cutting edge teaching and learning. The IB classes are fully integrated into the bi-lingual Etis community, where all events are held in common with the sole exception of the renowned “bootcamp” in Nuuksio National Park for new entrants at the start of the first year. Our aim is to help students to achieve their best whilst still maintaining a healthy sense of balance. We never forget that education is about people rather than numbers.
Welcome to Etis!
International-mindedness
All IB schools share a commitment to develop internationally-minded young people who recognize their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, and who strive towards a better and more peaceful world.
International-mindedness in Etis is expressed in various ways:
We incorporate the IB mission into our own mission statement
We are committed to promoting the Learner Profile in every student
We invite leading specialists into the school to hold studia generalia sessions with students.
We support a Dalit school in Nepal with fundraising for equipment.
We support Red Nose Day, UNICEF and other initiatives tackling injustice and inequality
We coordinate the Group 4 Project with a school in Estonia
We invite applications from across the world.
We support mother-tongue learning for all students irrespective of origin
We encourage Extended Essays in World Studies
We celebrate the rich diversity cultures, ethnicities and faiths within the school on International Day
We actively encourage student exchanges in Italy, Spain, Holland and other nations
We promote a positive can-do attitude to change within the whole school culture on the basis of “us” rather than “them and us”
We welcome visitors from across the world to deepen our understanding of the role of schools in meeting twenty-first century challenges
Group 1 - Studies in Language and Literature:
- Finnish Literature SL/HL.
- English Language and Literature SL/HL.
- School- supported self-taught language SL (for mother tongue speakers of other languages)
Group 2 - Language Acquisition:
- Finnish B SL
- French ab initio SL or select a second language from group 1
Group 3 - Individuals and Societies:
- Business and Management SL/HL
- History SL/HL
Group 4 - Experimental Sciences:
- Biology SL/HL
- Physics SL/HL
- Chemistry SL/HL
Group 5 - Mathematics:
- Analysis and Approaches HL/SL
- Applications and Interpretations HL/SL
Group 6 - Arts or Electives:
- Visual Arts SL (optional - or select another subject from groups 1-4)
At least seven students are required to subscribe to a subject in order for courses to run. Timetable restrictions may also limit choices.
Together with the International Baccalaureate®, Etelä-Tapiolan lukio aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Furthermore, we encourage our students to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
For Students
Debating society
Etis has an active debating society with members from the national line and the IB. Society meetings are arranged regularly by students themselves, with matches adjudicated by university debaters. Etis debaters take part in regional debating events and compete at the Finnish Championship Tournament. Recently three members of the team attended a workshop in Athens, a city renowned for its eloquence in the ancient world. Debating is a fine way to foster presentation skills, hone argument and develop confidence with public speaking. IB students get CAS points for debating and national side students complete an optional course. For more information visit the Etis Debating Society on Facebook.
Forest trip
Every year in August pre-DP students go camping with their tutors and two teachers in the scenic lakeside camping area of Haukkalampi in Nuuksio. Activities include swimming, hiking, playing games and singing around the fire.
The idea of a day out in the forest is to break the ice with new-found friends and feel comfortable as part of the group. Health and dietary needs will also be respected. The important thing is to join in. And have some fun! Lukio is never all work and no play.
Autumn term: Thursday 11.8.2022 – Thursday 22.12.2022
- Autumn break: 17.10.2022 – 21.10.2022
- Indepence day and holiday 5.-6.12.2022
- Christmas break 23.12.2022 – 6.1.2023
Spring term: Monday 9.1.2023 – Saturday 3.6.2023.
- Winter break 20.2.2023 – 24.2.2023
Welfare staff contact information(ulkoinen linkki)
School nurse and doctor
Mari Lähde (email: mari.p.lahde@espoo.fi)
tel. 046 877 3790
School nurse is at school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8-16 and on Fridays 8-14. During the nurse’s walk-in hours (11.00-11.30 above mentioned days) you can visit the nurse without booking an appointment in advance. The walk-in hours are meant for acute issues.
Student Health Services aim to maintain and promote students’ health, well-being and ability to study. The school nurse also helps with questions about vaccines, sexuality, birth control, substance abuse or mental health or other health-related matters.
During the first year of study, each student has the opportunity to have their health checked by a school nurse. A health check by a school doctor is usually available to students during the second year of study. The focus of the health check is on the prevention of illnesses and the early detection of health problems. Boys who have to attend call-ups and girls who wish to voluntarily undertake military service can have a preliminary health examination performed.
Students may also book a health check-up at any point of their studies, if necessary. The shool nurse can refer the student to a doctor or other specialists, if such services are needed.
In case of accidents, we give first aid together with the rest of the school staff.
Our TerkkariChat(ulkoinen linkki) is now also open!
Psychologist
- First-year students
Kristiina Laakso
tel: 040 6368063
kristiina.laakso@espoo.fi - Second, third-, and fourth-year students
Riina Kinnunen
tel: 040 6369764
riina.kinnunen@espoo.fi
The psychologist directs, advises, and supports high school students in matters related to well-being, study and life situation. Some of the reasons to seek the support of the psychologist may include fatigue, stress, anxiety, tension, depression, sudden life changes and crisis situations. Concerns about interpersonal relationships, study progress, and plans for the future may also need to be discussed with a psychologist. Meetings are confidential, voluntary, and free of charge. The number of visits and how they will be carried out will be agreed upon individually with the student. The student may see the psychologist of their own accord or, for example, on the recommendation of a guardian, nurse, or group tutor.
Special education teacher
Elisa Manninen
tel: 050 3018454
elisa.manninen@opetus.espoo.fi
At the beginning of high school studies, students are offered the opportunity to participate in a reading screen, which maps their reading and writing skills (reading speed, fluency, and accuracy, reading comprehension skills and spelling). The special needs teacher informs the participants about the results of the screening and, if necessary, sets aside an individual time for the student, in which case a more detailed individual reading test can be taken to determine any reading difficulties. In the case of special learning difficulties, it is possible to receive individual or group teaching of study skills and / or individual support. If there is a suspicion of reading difficulties or other learning difficulties, which may occur later in high school, the student should contact the special needs teacher and make an appointment to identify any learning difficulties and the support needed. If a student is not a Finnish speaker but has questions concerning dyslexia or testing, contact the special needs teacher to receive information and further instructions.
Special Education teacher meets students by appointment at school. Appointments can be booked by phone, text message, email, or Wilma message.
Social worker (kuraattori)
Liisa Nybacka
tel: 0505721134
liisa.nybacka@espoo.fi
The social worker is a professional school social worker whose task is to guide, support, and promote the psychosocial well-being of students. For instance, a student may see the social worker and discuss life management, coping with day-to-day challenges or interpersonal relationships, questions related to independent living, life changes, housing, finances, or when they wish to talk in confidence with an adult. The aim of the meeting is to find solutions to matters affecting the student’s mind together with the student, but sometimes discussing the matter with someone is enough. If necessary, the social worker directs the student to other services and cooperates with other professionals. The guardians of the student or other staff of the educational institution may also be in contact with the social worker if they are concerned about a student.
Social Worker meets students by appointment at school. Appointments can be booked by phone, text message, email, or Wilma message.
Guidance and counselling for IB students is provided during lessons, information sessions and on a one-to-one basis. Lessons take place during the first period of the Pre-DP year. Thereafter guidance counsellors hold two or three information sessions during each academic year. These sessions mainly take place during extended class tutorials.
For the most part, counselling is given as personal guidance during the whole three years. The themes for guidance focus on future study options and the application process, course choices during the Pre-DP year, subject choices for IB1 and general study guidance.
Students can readily make an appointment with counsellors via Wilma event invitations or stopping by daily between 12:00-13:00 for responses to minor matters and quick questions.
To contact the guidance counsellor:
pre-DP and IB2 students GC Kukka Tast, tel. 043 824 6623, by Wilma-message or by email kukka.tast@opetus.espoo.fi
IB1 students GC Mikko Saxberg, tel. 043 824 5204, by Wilma-message or by email mikko.saxberg@opetus.espoo.fi
A lot of information is provided in Wilma; students are recommended to check the weekly digest (in the so-called Tinfo-file) regularly
For applicants
Applications for admission in 2022
All applicants must begin by registering with the joint application process (at www.studyinfo.fi(ulkoinen linkki)) in February/March 2022. Visit this site for the precise dates. You may sequence seven institutions in order of preference. If you are lucky enough to meet the requirements of your first-choice institution, this is where you will go. If not, some number crunching will determine whether you get into the second choice or third, etc. Think carefully about the sequence as this cannot be revised after the application deadline has passed.
We are not intending to test applicants in 2022. The Lower School Grade Point Average will determine entry. Competition for places is intense.
The final decision on admissions will become public in June. Candidates should confirm acceptance of a place as soon as possible thereafter and before the end of June at the latest.
Note for applicants outside of Finland
The school welcomes applications from outside of Finland, with a priority going to families relocating due to job opportunities or families returning to their homeland. We will only consider for admission students under the age of 18 who will reside locally with family members or a legally appointed guardian. Applicants will need to complete an application(ulkoinen linkki), submit a school appraisal form(ulkoinen linkki) and provide a recent school report. Applicants are also required to register with www.studyinfo.fi(ulkoinen linkki) via the non-regular line (known in Finnish as harkinnanvaraisuus).
Note for IB1 applicants
Students who have already completed a year of study at upper secondary school level may apply to join the IB directly and forego the Pre-DP year. We shall require a recent school report. Please note that vacancies in IB1 only become available if/when students leave at the end of the Pre-DP year. There are rarely more than one or two vacancies and sometimes none. Priority will go to applicants without a current study place in Finland rather than students who are simply seeking to change schools.
IB1 applications should be made directly to the school with application(ulkoinen linkki) form rather than via the www.opintopolku.fi or www.studyinfo.fi route.
With any inquiries, please contact IB Co-ordinator David Crawford
tel. +358 9 8163 9109 , david.crawford@opetus.espoo.fi
Ladattavat tiedostot
For parents
The Etelä-Tapiolan lukio Parent's association
The aim of the parents' Association (PA) is to support teaching and schooling in our lukio. The PA plays a central role in fostering dialogue between students, teachers and parents.
All parents/guardians of the student body are automatic members of the PA. Its governing board includes parent teacher and student representatives. Funding is reliant upon voluntary contributions by members.
In practice the PA has funded numerous acquisitions which benefit the entire school community. These purchases include a whiteboard for the auditorium, clocks for the classrooms, plants in the foyer, coat hooks for the cloakroom and various other facilities for daily use.
The PA actively seeks cooperation with partners which give young people the opportunity to familiarize themselves with future career and study options. The PA may also call for additional parents' evenings on topics of concern/interest to parents.
The PA is always interested in gaining new members. You are warmly welcome to get involved! Please contact Ruut Koponen.
Voluntary membership contributions can be made to the following account:
Recipient: Etelä-Tapiolan vanhempainyhdistys ry
Account: 111230-307972
Reference: 5157
At Etis we like to work in close cooperation with parents. Each year we have parents´ evenings devoted to IB matters.
Wilma is a convenient tool for day-to-day contact. Please contact the class tutors(ulkoinen linkki) with initial queries. Our Head, Anni Virnes(ulkoinen linkki), is easily approachable and willing to help in all matters concerning student wellbeing. The Coordinator(ulkoinen linkki) is happy to discuss any aspect of the Diploma Programme. Study guidance counsellors(ulkoinen linkki) will assist with practical advice on taking the next step into Higher Education.
Parents are most welcome to join classes to discuss their work or fields of research. Alternatively, we are delighted to have the opportunity to take students to visit laboratories, businesses, law firms, etc. Don´t hesitate to get in touch.
If you have any concerns, we would like to hear from you. This can be a demanding programme for students. A close working relationship between the home and school offers the best conditions for successful study and personal growth.
Let´s keep in touch!
Contact Information
Email addresses are in the form firstname.surname@opetus.espoo.fi
Aissaoui Alex (AAi ), IB history
Björklund-Vuojala Jaana (JBj), French B, Swedish
Chatterjee Ira (ICh), Business Management, CAS coordinator, Pamoja site-based coordinator, 21F Class tutor
Crawford David (DCr), IB Coordinator, History, Extended Essay Supervisor
Gustafsson Tom (TGu), Mathematics
Hildén Kalle (KHi), Physical Education (girls) (till 27.01.2023)
Hänninen Jyrki (JHä), Physics
Jatkola Kristiina (KJa), Physical Education (girls) (absent till 27.01.2023)
Kivimäki Noora (NKi), Finnish B (absent 2022-2023)
Kleemola Leena (LKl), Visual Arts, 19G Class tutor
Koponen Ruut (RKo), Librarian, Extended Essay advisor
Lahdenperä Riikka (RLa),
Lahdenperä Riikka (RLa), Finnish A1: Literature, School-supported self-taught students' supervisor
Laine Anniina (ALa), Chemistry, Mathematics
Lumme Rosa (RLu), Chemistry, Mathematics, 21G Class tutor
Matooq Mohammed (MMa), Mathematics, Physics, 20F Class tutor
Piri Matti (MPi), Music
Rantanen Lauri (LRa), Biology, Theory of Knowledge, 20G Class tutor
Saxberg Mikko (SAx), preDP and IB2 Guidance councellor
Seuri Salla (SSe), Finnish B
Tast Kukka (KTa), IB1 Guidance councellor
Vasileiadou-Turkka Marianthi (MVa), English A Language and Literature, 19 F Class tutor
Väänänen Antti (AVä), Physical education (boys)
School address
Street address: Etelä-Tapiolan lukio | Postal address: Etelä-Tapiolan lukio |
Principal
Anni Virnes
anni.virnes@espoo.fi, tel. 040 6393990
School secretary
Pihla Haukinen
pihla.haukinen@espoo.fi, tel. 040 6369749
IB Coordinator
David Crawford (leave of absence 11.4.-5.6.)
david.crawford@opetus.espoo.fi, tel. 09 81639109
Vice principal
Elina Oja
elina.oja@espoo.fi, tel. 040 5070718
Facility manager
Anu Juslin
anu.juslin@espoo.fi, tel. 043 825 1300
Contact by Wilma, phone/text message or email. E-mail addresses are in the form firstname.lastname@espoo.fi
School nurse
Mari Lähde (email: mari.p.lahde@espoo.fi)
tel. 046 877 3790
School psychologist
- First-year students
Kristiina Laakso
tel: 040 6368063
kristiina.laakso@espoo.fi
- Second, third-, and fourth-year students
Riina Kinnunen
tel: 040 6369764
riina.kinnunen@espoo.fi
Social worker (kuraattori)
Liisa Nybacka
tel. 050 5721134
Special needs teacher
Elisa Manninen
tel. 050 3018454
Study guidance counselors
Mikko Saxberg (IB2, preDP)
tel. 043 8245204
Kukka Tast (IB1)
tel. 043 8245204