Latest News from Positive Action in Housing

STEWART PATERSON
The Herald

St Roch’s Secondary School in the north of Glasgow educates pupils from a diverse range of cultures and religions.

Since 2000, it has gone from being a predominantly Roman Catholic school to one where 34 different languages are spoken, as many children of asylum seekers are enrolled.

The school has taken part in Black History Month and marks Eid and Divali as well as celebrating Christian festivals. A partnership with a school in the United Arab Emirates has brought children to the school on what is hoped to be the start of an exchange programme.

Dr Hassan Hassan, head of English as an additional language, said: “We have had poets and writers in to perform and do workshops. It all helps.

“When children from asylum-seeker backgrounds came to the school, children were hesitant about socialising and integrating, but the programmes have helped the barriers come down.”

Joe Makngu, 15, from Red Road, came to Scotland from Congo five years ago. He said: “I took part in the Eid fashion show with about 20 others and a black history film. People have been friendly and ask where I am from and what it is like. When people know more, people from their countries are accepted more.”

Headteacher Gerry McGuigan said: “We are a Catholic school, a Christian school, but we want people to appreciate others people’s faiths. If you are ignorant about something you can be scared of it, but understanding makes differences more acceptable.”