St. Mary’s Primary School Continues Inspiring International Partnership with Ukraine

St. Mary’s Primary School is proud to celebrate another wonderful milestone in our international partnership with Cherkasy Academic Lyceum in Ukraine — a relationship we first formed after being selected as one of only three schools in Northern Ireland to take part in a prestigious British Council programme last year. With over 300 schools applying, we were honoured to be chosen and have embraced the opportunity to build meaningful connections through culture, creativity, and shared learning.

Throughout last year, our pupils worked closely with their Ukrainian peers through music, song, storytelling, and books, building friendships that have grown far beyond the classroom. We are delighted that this valued partnership continues again this year.

This week, we enjoyed a very special virtual meet‑up to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, sharing a little of our Irish culture with our friends in Cherkasy. Our Ukrainian partners also treated us to something truly memorable — several of their pupils performed a beautiful traditional song and showcased the Bandura, a stunning Ukrainian folk instrument that captivated our children.

Moments like these remind us of the power of cultural exchange: young people learning from one another, building understanding, and strengthening bonds across borders. For our pupils, it was another wonderful opportunity to deepen this international connection and experience the joy of sharing traditions with new friends.

St. Mary’s is incredibly proud of our pupils and grateful to the British Council for supporting a partnership that continues to inspire, unite, and enrich our school community.