Burns Night Celebrated as part of our Cultural Capital Programme

On Thursday 25th January, as part of our weekly cultural capital programme, our students were learning about Burns Night.

During these celebrations students listened to some pieces by celebrated Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns, including the ‘Selkirk Grace’ and ‘Address to the Haggis’, expertly performed by our own Mr Watkins.

Robert Burns, also known affectionately as ‘Rabbie Burns’, was born on the 25 January 1759, and lived to the age of 37.  Often writing in the Scots language, he is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. When he did write in standard English, his political commentary was often at its most blunt!

You may not have realised that he wrote the poem (and song) ‘Auld Lang Syne’ which is often sung at Hogmanay, New Year’s Eve.

To provide enrichment for this event our catering team kindly baked eight large haggis which were shared out amongst students on the playground  at break time. Needless to say, this famous cultural dish didn’t last long and Mr Wilkinson was a little concerned that there might not be any left for him!

(Extract from) Address to a Haggis – Robert Burns (1786)
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang ‘s my arm.