ST MARY’S Primary said N? h?o to their new Confucius hub with a Chinese inspired performance alongside the Scottish Opera.

The pupils performed Chinese opera, Dragon of the Sea, for parents and family members, as well as official delegates, as they launched the Confucius classroom.

The first of its kind at any North Ayrshire primary, headteacher Mary Hume said that the classroom was a dynamic way of getting children involved in language.

She said: “The performance the children put on was absolutely amazing, they had been learning the songs since Christmas time.

“Scottish Opera came in on the day and taught them a few things to add to the performance, and what they learned in two hours was amazing.

“We got really great feedback from the families as well as the invited delegates. The children received a standing ovation.”

Children from primary one to seven will now have the opportunity to learn Mandarin in the school, with a permanent teacher taking position after the summer.

Mrs Hume said this will provide pupils the chance to learn one of the languages most sought after by employers and universities.

She added: “We currently have a teacher in once a week and there’s a lot of children who weren’t interested in a language but are now latching on and enjoying it.”

Two teachers from the school will go to Shanghai in July to participate in a Chinese immersion course.

Mrs Hume will also go to Beijing and Tianjin in October, where St Mary's has a partner school.

Delegates included the assistant director Fan Lin from the Confucius Institute, Chinese consul general Pan from the consulate in Edinburgh, the Chinese director of education, executive director of education John Butcher, the provost and Councillor John Bell.