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St Gabriel’s

St Gabriel’s

Reception and Year 1 Celebrate Burns Night with a Haggis Hunt and Highland Fun

Reception and Year 1 pupils at St Gabriel’s had an exciting joint learning session on Thursday, 23 January, as they celebrated Burns Night and explored the fascinating traditions surrounding Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.

Although the weather kept the event indoors, the Reception classroom was transformed into a lively hub of storytelling, exploration, and Scottish culture. Mrs Ryder captivated the children with the thrilling tale of Hamish, the Hairy Haggis by A.K. Paterson. The story, full of humour and suspense, followed Hamish as he tried to avoid becoming the star of Inverhaggis’s Burns Supper during the Haggis Bashing season. The pupils were on the edge of their seats, eagerly waiting to find out if Hamish would make his daring escape!

Inspired by the story, the children paired up for a fun-filled Haggis Hunt through the Reception learning spaces. Each pair searched for hidden pictures of mythical haggises, showcasing teamwork and curiosity. Their reward? A special "Address to the Haggis" ceremony, led by Mrs Bloxham. The highlight of the procession was the arrival of a (vegetarian) haggis, accompanied by an excerpt from Robert Burns’ famous poem.

The children then had the chance to try a taste of the haggis. Opinions were split—much like marmite, some loved it while others weren’t so sure—but everyone showed enthusiasm in trying something new! To round off the afternoon, the pupils enjoyed traditional Highland tunes and a spirited dance session.

It was a fantastic afternoon that brought Scottish culture to life for the children, giving them a fun and engaging introduction to Burns Night ahead of the 25 January celebrations. From storytelling to food tasting, the session was a fun and educational way to honour the legacy of Rabbie Burns.