Then the first bell rings. It is done by a first former who is sitting on the shoulders of a student from the graduating class (usually a boy). The first former has a metal bell that she (usually a girl) rings while being carried around along the front row of all the students lined up around the courtyard. The first formers receive small gifts, usually bells, from the school leavers.

The school year starts on 1 September. Students and teachers all over Belarus mark “The Day of Knowledge”. A typical entrance ceremony is held for the first formers who come to school for the first time. They gather at the celebratory assembly called the First Bell. Everyone lines up in the school courtyard and there are some welcoming speeches given at the front steps of the school by the headteacher, sometimes by other teachers and parents. Schoolchildren still have to wear a uniform.

After the celebration is over the kids go to their classes but usually not much is done. General information about the timetable, necessary equipment, various after-school activities, and clubs is given that day. Children get to know new students and get some tips on how to get used to school rules.

A traditional discussion is held in the very first lesson. For example, the years 2018–2020 were declared Years of the Motherland, the first lessons were devoted to our native land. In the 2017 / 2018 school year, all Belarusian students talked on the same topic “Belarus is my Motherland”, a year later – on “I was lucky to be born here”. In 2019 / 2020 they were offered to discuss the topic “Belarus, my young country, take your place of honour among the nations!”