PUPILS at Hermitage Primary enjoyed a focus week steeping themselves in the rich culture and heritage of Scotland’s traditions in the arts.

Supported by teachers and parents and carers at home, all pupils worked hard to learn Scots poetry – ranging from works by J.K. Annand to world-famous poems, ‘Address to a Haggis’ and ‘Tam O’Shanter’ by Robert Burns.

Special commendations were made to pupils in each class and children in Primary 3 and Primary 7 competed in the annual Quaich Competitions, judged, this year by local Burns aficionado, Mrs Sheenah Nelson.

The school Quaichs were won by Abigail Flannagan, P3, for her rendition of ‘Wee Freenly Dug’ and Ross Fulton, P7, for ‘Willie Wastle’.

Mrs Nelson remarked on the high standard achieved by all children and the difficulty she had in choosing winners.

The culmination of the week was a celebration day on Burns’ birthday where the Rights Respecting School Core Team ran a ‘Heritage Tuck Shop’ to raise money for the children’s arthritis charity, SNAC.

Pupils across the school baked and donated goodies to reflect the variety of cultures represented by pupils in the school and sold them on to hungry customers at break time.

A fantastic total of £156.35 was raised for the charity.

In the afternoon, the whole school gathered together with guests from the community to enjoy a ceilidh.

A wide variety of talented pupils entertained with Highland dances, musical contributions on piano, brass, saxophone, clarinets and clarsach, some recitations of their learned poems and singing for all.

Pupils receiving commendations were presented with certificates and awards from Mrs Nelson and they were joined by piper Connor Ross, an S6 pupil at Hermitage Academy, to pipe in the haggis before it was addressed by commended pupils in P6.

This wonderful feast of entertainment was followed up with home baked shortbread from the school’s catering staff in what was a fitting end to a week packed with activity.

The school also cut the ribbon to open the new library provision on Wednesday. We will have full coverage in next week’s Advertiser.