Scottish Catholic Observer

St Denis’ Primary welcomed Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow as they marked the school’s recent renovation in great style.

Parents and guardians, as well as a number of invited guests, gathered as the children joined the archbishop on the stairwell, where they held the blessing ceremony.

“I’m so pleased to be here to bless your refurbished school,” Archbishop Tartaglia said, noting that the children had the ‘best of both worlds,’ both ‘a new school and a kind of classic Glasgow architecture.’

It also proved to be a fond visit for the archbishop, as he grew up in the local area.

“This is where I grew up,” he said, sharing how he used to play with his friends in Alexandra Park, get on the bus at Alexandra Parade, and walk down to Cumbernauld Road to attend Mass at St Anne’s Church, where he was an altar server. “It’s lovely to be back round here again.”

The archbishop gave the blessing and cut the official ribbon, while the pupils sang The Children of the City of St Mungo in honour of Glasgow’s patron saint, recited their school prayer to St Denis, and sang St Denis’ hymn.

Following the blessing, a showcase took place, in which the young people put on a special programme of Scottish music and poetry.

The concert featured wonderful renditions of songs such as I’m Going Home Tae Glasgow, Glesga Budgie and Auld Lang Syne, and Scots poems including To a Louse, Tam Glen and Ma Hoggie, as well as the 23rd Psalm in Scots.

Eilidh Pattison, a teacher at St Denis’, said: “Mrs Mackie, our headteacher, joined us about two and a half years ago now. Since she came we’ve really been trying to do what we can to spruce the school up and have it the best we can for our pupils.”

“It was wonderful when we heard that we were going to have a bit of refurbishment and have the place looking its best,” Ms Pattison added. “It’s had a really positive impact on the ethos of the school and on the children, on how comfortable and how proud they are of the school.”

The day also marked the school coming back together again, as some classes were held in Alexandra Parade Primary and Golfhill Primary while the work took place.

“It’s just lovely, it’s a kind of celebration of our renewing the place but also of us all coming back together,” Ms Pattison said.