Patriotic day for schools turns into family affair

Mar 12 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

YOUNGSTERS at a Larkhall primary were truly patriotic when they held a Scottish afternoon at the school.

Braveheart children from Primary One to Primary Seven took part in Hareleeshill Primary School’s annual Scottish afternoon.

Pupils learned different poems with three children from each class taking part in the final.

Poems which were presented by the children ranged from “Ma Doggie” to “The Coming of the Wee Malkies” and an extract from “Tam O'Shanter”.

Parents of children performing and senior citizens from Parker Place were invited and all agreed that the afternoon was a great success, with the children performing well.

The two judges for the afternoon Mrs Betty Murray, a retired head teacher of Hareleeshill, and her husband Mr Sandy. Murray, of Larkhall Rotary Club, found their task to be very difficult since the children all did so well.

A first this year was that three children from the same family came first in their class event, Leah (Primary 1), Taylor (Primary 2) and Sean (Primary 6) McPhail.

Winners from Primary Four to Primary Seven will now represent the school at the annual Larkhall Burns’ Federation Burns competition which is being held in mid March.

These children are Amy McKenna (P4), Jack Murray (Primary 5), Sean McPhail (Primary 6) and Kayleigh Gallagher (Primary 7).

Mrs Neilson, head teacher, passed on her congratulations to all the children who took part.

Pictured (right) are some of the pupils who took part, Jack Murray (back left), Amy McKenna (back right) with Sean McPhail and Kayleigh Gallagher.