Confucius Classrooms Celebrated
Last updated | 29/05/2008
On Thursday 20 March 2008 Perth & Kinross Council welcomed the celebration of the national Confucius Classrooms initiative which saw Perth High School become one of the first 'hubs' of excellence for the teaching and learning of Chinese language and culture in schools.
The celebration at Perth High was attended by Cabinet Secretary for Education, Fiona Hyslop, and Learning and Teaching Scotland Chief Executive, Bernard McLeary. Lifelong Learning Convener, Councillor Elizabeth Grant and senior Council officials including Chief Executive, Bernadette Malone and Executive Director (Education & Children's Services), John Fyffe joined pupils and staff at Perth High School to mark the occasion.
Chinese Ambassador, Madame Tan was also present to honour the agreement made in October 2007 between the Chinese Government and the Scottish Government at the 'Scotland-China International Conference' in Edinburgh, which has led to the development of the Confucius Classrooms initiative.
The Confucius Classrooms will provide a central point for teachers and pupils to access language courses, resources and training opportunities for teachers, as well as helping to organise visits to China and develop links between the country and local communities.
Perth High School has had positive links for some time with China and Chinese culture, including a long-term link with No 1 Middle School, Haikou. This has been followed by a recent visit by twenty-two S6 pupils and five teachers to Shanghai, where they experienced the Chinese language, culture and business world first hand. Pupils who took part in the visit gave a presentation to the Cabinet Secretary about their experiences.
A special musical piece called 'Celebrations!', composed by Chinese composer, Kimho Ip and choreographer Chang Zhang, was also performed. They style and format of the piece mirrored that of the 'The Weaver Girl and the Oxen Boy', which pupils from Perth High and Oakbank Primary Schools performed at Perth Concert Hall last June, bringing together Chinese art, music, dance and Scottish themes. Renowned Scottish composer Eddie McGuire represented the tradition of Scottish composition and playing at the performance of 'Celebrations'.
Councillor Grant welcomed the intiative:
"The Council has strong links to build on - our local Chinese community, increasing links with schools, the arts and the business sector, and a growing interest in all things Chinese across our communities. People of all ages, from toddlers to older people, are taking part in activities including Chinese language taster sessions, calligraphy and Tai Chi.
Primary and secondary pupils at Breadalbane Academy have also produced the first ever Gaelic/Chinese film, 'The Breadalbane Pearl', which has been shown both locally and to an internationally-focussed audience at the Scotland-China International Leadership Conference in October 2007. I am pleased that the Confucius Classrooms initiative will help us build further on what has already been achieved locally".
John Fyffe, Executive Director (Education and Children's Services) said:
"The Confucius Classroom will further promote the understanding of Scottish youngsters of the fascinating culture and language of China. As a Council we have four of the eight Chinese language assistants in Scotland working in six of our secondary schools and many of our primary schools. The sharing of knowledge and information between both countries has been gathering momentum in recent years and we hope to build on the sound start already made".
Jim Scott, Headteacher at Perth High School, said:
"We are honoured that the work of our pupils and staff is being recognised on a national level with the Cabinet Secretary's visit".
