East Ren Chinese hub among world’s top ten

The area has won the Confucius Classroom Hub of the Year 2013, which makes it Scotland’s top performer in the [programme which celebrates Chinese language and culture.

ERC has now been invited to China for the finals of the competition.

The hub is based at St Ninian’s High school in Giffnock and is now rated among the top ten in the world.

St Ninian’s head teacher John Docherty is delighted the four-year project is being recognised in this way. He said: “Well done to the teaching staff and pupils who have been recognised with the award.

“It’s a superb achievement for a hub that has only been in existence for four years.

“The work of the Confucius Hub is being extended across all school clusters in East Renfrewshire this year by the education department.”

Mr Docherty added that the work of the hub was very much in keeping with the new national curricular developments being encouraged throughout the nation’s schools.

He continued: “Many of our schools have seen a growing number of pupils receive national recognition in different competitions sponsored by the Confucius Institute.

“Success in SQA exams from Intermediate and Higher to Advanced Higher has been excellent.”

Mr Docherty added that a main development for the future would be to further the ability of teacher to teach the languageto pre-five and primary children.

Councillor Elaine Green is the convener for education and equalities and she said: “This is an outstanding achievement by the East Renfrewshire hub.

“To be chosen as the best in Scotland is very significant in itself, but to be selected as one of the top ten in the world is absolutely wonderful.

“I’d like to say very well done to everyone involved and wish them all the best in the final.

“The classroom has achieved so much in just a short time. Interest in learning Mandarin continues to grow and I know we will keep building on that success in the future.”

The ER hub is one of two finalists, with the other being in Fife.