Elgin Academy pupils send Burns Night message of hope to Ukrainian school
Big-hearted second-year pupils at Elgin Academy are sharing their Burns Night with a school in Ukraine, located on the frontline of the ongoing war in the country.
Elgin Academy has been partnered with Hadiach Lyceum №1 in Ukraine’s Poltava region since September 2025, after the schools were paired through the British Council’s UK-Ukraine Schools Partnership Programme.
They have been in constant contact since then, sharing letters, video messages and short films.
To mark Burns Night, the S2 English class, alongside teacher Jen Macdonald and librarian Shelagh Toonen, recorded a series of videos celebrating the works of Robert Burns, including recitals of Auld Lang Syne.
The gesture comes at a particularly challenging time for the Ukrainian school, which is operating under difficult conditions and experiences up to 18 hours a day without electricity.
Cllr Kathleen Robertson, Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, said: said: “This is a wonderful example of young people in Moray showing compassion, creativity and international friendship. Everyone involved at Elgin Academy should be very proud of how they are supporting their partner school during such challenging circumstances.”
Neil Johnson, Head Teacher at Elgin Academy, added: “Our partnership with Hadiach Lyceum №1 has been incredibly meaningful for our pupils, helping them understand the power of connection, culture and kindness beyond borders. Taking the time to share Burns Night with our friends in Ukraine allowed our young people to celebrate Scottish heritage while standing in solidarity with a school facing unimaginable challenges. I am extremely proud of our pupils and staff for the care and commitment they continue to show.”
You can watch one of the videos Elgin Academy pupils made for Hadiach Lyceum №1 here.