Elgin Academy has formed a special partnership with Hadiach Lyceum No.1 in Ukraine, bringing pupils together through a shared love of reading and storytelling.
The collaboration is part of the British Council’s UK-Ukraine Schools Partnership Programme, funded by the UK Government, which connects 100 schools across both countries to promote friendship, literacy and cultural exchange.
For Elgin Academy’s S2 English class, guided by teacher Miss MacDonald and school librarian Mrs Toonen, the project has already taken flight with letters, sunflower messages and a short film introducing life in Moray.
The pupils have also chosen a novel to share with their Ukrainian friends, creating a literary bridge that connects two classrooms hundreds of miles apart.
Earlier this term, Mrs Toonen travelled to Poland to meet teachers from Hadiach Lyceum No.1 and hand-deliver gifts and messages from Elgin Academy’s pupils.
She returned home inspired by the strength, warmth and creativity shown by the Ukrainian teachers and their students.
Head Teacher Neil Johnson said the partnership had sparked a wave of excitement across the school.
“We’re delighted to be part of the UK-Ukraine Schools Partnership Programme,” he said.
“This project inspires young people to read for pleasure, while helping them build confidence and connect with others from different cultures.
“The support for the programme, including workshops and resources, will give us a strong start to this partnership.
“It also supports our efforts to keep our Gold Reading School status, which celebrates our commitment to promoting reading.”
Claire de Braekeleer, Director of British Council Scotland, said the initiative highlights the power of books to bring people together.
“At a time when global connections can feel fragile, programmes like this one are vital to help build cultural understanding,” she said.
“Reading has a wonderful power to help us see the world through someone else’s eyes, and that’s exactly what’s happening between pupils in Elgin and Poltava.
“We’re delighted to see so many Scottish schools taking part.
“This is part of the UK–Ukraine 100 Year Partnership and a strong sign of solidarity between our two countries for generations to come.”
Moray Council Leader and Chair of the Education, Children’s and Leisure Services committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, praised the pupils’ creativity and compassion.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Elgin Academy pupils,” she said.
“Not only are they sharing a love of reading, but they’re also helping to build lasting friendships with young people in Ukraine.
“It’s inspiring to see our schools taking part in such positive international work and we’re very proud of what the pupils and staff have achieved so far.”
The UK–Ukraine Schools Partnership Programme is part of a long-term commitment to deepen links between both nations in education, trade and community life.
Through words, books and friendship, young people in Elgin and Hadiach are showing how reading can build bridges even in the hardest of times.
