A school in Perth has been hailed for keeping Polish children and those with connections to the eastern European community in touch with their history and culture.
The Perth Polish Saturday School celebrated its 10th anniversary and a special ‘Jubilee’ reception was held at North Inch Community Campus on March 4.
On Saturdays the school based at St John’s Academy teaches Polish history, geography, culture and language from 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Many children from Polish families have been born in the Fair City and the school provides them with a link to their family’s origins.
They learn nursery rhymes, songs and poems which keep their culture alive, as well as mastering the notoriously difficult Polish spellings and grammar.
The Perth Polish Saturday School celebrates its 10th anniversary with headteacher Wioletta Hass-Lipinska (far left), deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP (second left), Perth and Kinross Provost Liz Grant (third left), former Perth Provost Dr John Hulbert (far right), members of staff and children
The celebration on Saturday saw members of staff, children past and present and representatives of the Polish Consulate and Perth and Kinross Council attend.
Children in traditional costume danced for visitors and an ‘Oscars’-style ceremony complete with red carpet rewarded VIPs for their support.
Children sang and danced and awards were presented
Flowers were presented to teachers by past pupils,some of whom are now at university.
Renata Fraser, who was the original founder of the Saturday school, admitted: “I was in floods of tears within five minutes of arriving!
“The children performed a historical dance, ‘Polonaise’. It’s the traditional entry you would have at any large gathering or ball in Poland and the little ones did it beautifully with great energy.”
The Polish School’s head teacher, Wioletta Hass-Lipinska, told the PA how it has grown from small beginnings and why there was a need for education like this.
“When I began in 2007, there were 22 children and four members of staff. It has grown enormously – now there are 123 youngsters aged three to14 years and 13 teachers.
“My deputy, Agnieszka Brodlo, started at the same time and we both continue to welcome learners to the school.
“We help children keep their Polish connections. Some have come directly from Poland to start a new life in Scotland.
“Others have been born here.”
Mrs Hass-Lipinska continued: “As the result of the friendships developed in Scotland between children of all nationalities these kids are now more confident, better integrated and are simply more ‘Scottish’.
“We have had support shown by Provost Liz Grant and her predecessor, former Provost John Hulbert, who was always very friendly to us.
“Our local MSP John Swinney has been really helpful too and has taken a personal interest in the Polish school’s progress.”
The starting point offered by the Perth Polish Saturday School has led to a number of offshoots, with a Youth Integration Project ‘Bajka’ – which means fairy tale in English – now meeting in Glasgow Road, which offers after-school care from 3-6.30pm.
There is even an all-Polish Scout group ‘Harcerstwo Perth’ and ‘Singing Angels’, a choir of Polish children who recently contributed to Perth’s Community Cultural Celebration promoting Perth’s Bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2021.
Additionally, books in the Polish language have been donated to North Inch Community Library by the Polish Saturday School.
In the words of Renata Fraser: “It is fair to say that Poland’s 500 year long connection with Scotland is as strong as ever and that many Polish people, who fell in love with Scotland and call it home, are very appreciative of its legendary hospitality and kindness.”