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Posted: Tuesday 14 June 2011

Glasgow Civic Reception rounds off Successful European Schools Partnership

City Chambers Reception Staff and pupils from Hutchesons' and two other European schools celebrated at a Civic Reception hosted by the Lord Provost of Glasgow after completing a two-year joint project based around urban design and renewal.

Hutchesons' Grammar School received an EU-funded 'Comenius' grant to partner with the Hans-Sachs-Gymnasium in Nurnberg, Germany, and with I Liceum Ogolnoksztalcace in Radomsko, Poland, to undertake a collaborative approach to learning within a European context.

City Chambers Reception Following the Lord Provost's welcome to the Polish, German and Scottish guests, Hutchesons' Depute Rector Jim McDougall expressed his gratitude that the City had honoured the partnership with a reception in such magnificent surroundings.

"Hutchesons' has a proud tradition of being part of the city of Glasgow," he said, "and is delighted to play a part in developing the city's links with other countries, including a long-standing relationship with the city of Nurnberg. We are delighted to bring our Polish friends on board. It is also heartening to see representatives from the local community who have done so much to encourage this project over the last two years."

Susan Breckenridge, Head of Art at Hutchesons' Grammar School, said: "The Comenius Partnership has given pupils the opportunity to work outwith the formal curriculum and experience historical, geographic al, artistic and cultural differences along with the challenges of working in an environment which relies on cooperation, motivation and friendship."

Also present were Dr Tomas Trafas, Consul General for Poland, and Dr Barbara Kaulbach, director of the Goethe Institute in Glasgow.

Dr Trafas expressed his delight that a school from Poland was involved in a project with Glasgow and brought with him staff and pupils from the Polish Saturday School in Glasgow.

The partnership has focused on urban change and renewal in each of the three cities represented. In Glasgow last week, the group used 'Clyde Built' as a theme, with Glasgow and its river as the focus of activities and discussion.

Massimo Sannino, S6 pupil at Hutchesons', said: "I really liked the fact that by being with the others nearly all day changed us from being strangers to good friends."

Tree planting Earlier visits to Poland and Germany saw the pupils and staff plant 18,000 seedlings in a Polish forest, design a Comenius cycle path, and create a film of their experiences.