Chinese New Year and Rabbie Burns take centre stage for Findochty Primary kids
There was a double cultural experience in store for kids at a local primary school recently.
Monday, January 28 saw Findochty Primary School greet the Chinese New Year by welcoming youngsters from the Chinese Lion Dance team who performed for around 15 minutes in front of the whole school.
Headteacher Dawn Thomson said: “The pupils just loved to, they were just buzzing.
“They really loved that the performers were children themselves, the youngest aged seven and the oldest aged 11.
“The performance was a lion dance accompanied by a big drum. Unfortunately they weren’t able to stay long due to other commitments but they’ve offered to come back to the school and do more work with the pupils.
“We’ve also recently welcomed a Chinese family to the school so this was an excellent opportunity for them to share their traditions and make them feel welcome. It makes a big difference having someone from another culture here.
“It was a really lovely event all round. It’s a very positive occasion, saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new.”
Mrs Thomson added that the visit came about following an initial query to the Scottish Highlands and Islands Chinese Association.
However, this was not all that was on the agenda for the kids.
Mrs Thomson added: “We also held our Burns supper event after the performance from Chinese Lion Dance.
“It had been scheduled for Friday, January 24 but it had to be cancelled as the school was closed due to Storm Éowyn.
“We had a piper to pipe in the haggis and the P7s did the Address to the Haggis with the P1&2s doing the Selkirk Grace. The rest of the school did the Toast to the Lassies and the reply.
“Afterwards we had a ceilidh, which was really good.”