Gaelic medium open day success at Mount Pleasant
Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.
AN open day at a Thurso primary school was well attended by youngsters and their parents keen to learn more about Gaelic medium education and the benefits of being bilingual.
Highland Council's Gaelic team organised a fun session in Mount Pleasant Primary School. Sgoil-àraich staff Catriona Smith and Heather Bain, along with Gaelic community learning and development officer Dolina Grant, were present to answer any queries that parents had.
The Fàs Foghlaim video, which was devised by Highland Council and features specialists including Professor Antonella Sorace (University of Edinburgh) and various professionals and parents who explain the benefits of being bilingual, was shown to parents.
The children took part in craft activities as well as a Gaelic Book Bug session which was led by Debbie Larnach, local Gaelic parent and toddler worker for the Care and Learning Alliance).
Mount Pleasant’s Gaelic choir, conducted by Gaelic class teacher Lynsey Munro, sang several songs which helped to demonstrate their ability and progression in speaking Gaelic.
The Gaelic medium schoolchildren then played with the younger children while Miss Munro was able to speak to parents and address any further questions they might have.
A spokesperson said: "Open days are crucial as they provide the opportunity for parents to see the benefits of bilingualism and how Gaelic medium education operates. The Highland Council Gaelic Language Plan has targets for Gaelic medium education and realises the importance of supporting the growth of Gaelic education.
"Gaelic medium education has been provided in Thurso for many years now and these open days provide the opportunity for local achievement to be promoted."
For further information on Gaelic medium education contact Dolina.Grant@highland.gov.uk