It was a most enjoyable day for all of us at St. Margaret’s and a dream come true for most children. Santa Claus came from Finland to visit us on 23 November, before heading to Sichuan to visit the children who were affected by the disastrous earthquake last year. Santa Claus was not only coming to bring us an early Christmas wish, but he was also coming to encourage our students and to give a helping hand to the children in need in Sichuan.

The event started with a warm speech from the Consul-General of the Finnish Consulate, Mr. Timo Rajakangas. He also brought along lots of books about Finland and Santa Claus for our school library. Then our student representatives presented a cheque for HK$13,933 which we raised for Sichuan children and the Christmas cards to show our love and care for them to Mr. Timo Rajakangas and Mr. Jari Vepsalarie, Chairman of Fintrade, who initiated the project. Hopefully, our messages would warm the hearts of the Sichuan children.

The most exciting moment came when Santa Claus made his entrance to the Assembly Hall. Both students and teachers were cheered and clapped with joy. “Kiitos” and “Hyvaa Joulua” were the two Finnish words that our students had learnt, meaning “Thank you” and “Merry Christmas”. Other than learning some Finnish words, Santa Claus also gave out presents to our good boys and girls. The best present for our children were the postcards each of which bore the autograph of Santa Claus.

Each class took a photo with Santa Claus and some students also had the opportunity to have a special photo taken with Santa Claus. What’s more, Santa Claus promised those students that he would send a Christmas letter to them when he was back in Finland.

11月23日，聖瑪加利的學生夢想成真，見到從芬蘭來的聖誕老人。他從芬蘭前往探訪四川地震災區的孩童，在港只停留一天，能應邀到訪我校，不僅為我們帶來聖誕祝福，還鼓勵學生伸出援助之手，幫助四川有需要的孩子。

活動伊始，芬蘭領事館總領事為我們致辭，並帶了不少有關芬蘭及聖誕老人的圖書。我校學生代表也致送募集所得的善款共港幣13,933元，以及學生自製寫上關懷語的聖誕賀卡予芬蘭總領事與芬蘭貿易集團主席代為轉交給四川孩童。希望我們的心意可以讓四川的孩子在寒冬覓得絲絲暖意。

聖誕老人的登場是全場最激動人心的時刻，全場師生都雀躍歡騰。學生們不僅學會了兩句芬蘭語“Kiitos”與“Hyvaa Joulua”，分別代表「謝謝」與「聖誕快樂」，還得到了聖誕老人的禮物。對我們的學生來說，最好的禮物莫過於擁有聖誕老人親筆簽名的明信片了。

最後，每班學生分別與聖誕老人合照留念，更有學生能單獨與聖誕老人談話及合照。聖誕老人還答應回芬蘭後會寄聖誕賀卡予合照之學生。