A PERTH school has become one of the first “hubs” of excellence for the teaching and learning of Chinese language and culture in Scottish education.

Perth High welcomed a host of dignitaries at yesterday’s Confucius Classrooms scheme launch.

It has been designed to provide teachers and pupils with access to language courses, resources and training opportunities as well as to organise visits to China and develop links.

Perth and Kinross, and Perth High in particular, have long cultivated links with China and it was this that brought Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Learning and Teaching Scotland chief executive Bernard McLeary to the school yesterday.

They joined senior council officials and Chinese ambassador Mme Tan to honour the agreement made in October between the Chinese government and the Scottish Government at the Scotland-China International Leadership Conference in Edinburgh that has led to Confucius Classrooms being developed.

Perth and Kinross Council lifelong learning convener Councillor Elizabeth Grant said, “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 Gaelic/Chinese film, The Breadalbane Pearl, which has been shown both locally and at the Scotland-China International Leadership Conference.

“I am pleased that the Confucius Classrooms initiative will help us build further on what has already been achieved locally.”

Perth High has had positive links for some time with China and Chinese culture, including a long-term link with No 1 Middle School in Haikou.

Those links were cemented when 22 S6 pupils and five teachers visited Shanghai and some of those pupils were on hand yesterday to give Ms Hyslop a presentation about their experiences.

Pupils also performed a musical piece, Celebrations!, by Chinese composer Kimho Ip and choreographer Chang Zhang, mirroring the style and format of The Weaver Girl And The Oxen Boy, which pupils from Perth High and Oakbank Primary presented at Perth Concert Hall last June, bringing together Chinese art, music, dance and Scottish themes.

Scottish composer Eddie McGuire played during the performance.

Meanwhile, council education and children’s services executive director John Fyffe, said, “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.”