The SCA's 2014 Primary Schools Competition, in co-operation with the Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools, reached its conclusion on Saturday 21 June at Leith Academy, Edinburgh. Children, parents and teachers from several of the schools involved joined us to view the entries and receive their prizes. The event was also attended by Vice Consul Lv Yanxia, from the Chinese Consulate-General in Edinburgh, who was very impressed by the work of primary school children and their understanding of Chinese festivals.

Some of the winners and teachers with SCA members and Consulate staff after the prizegiving

The aim of this competition was to stimulate interest in Chinese culture, and especially China's many fascinating traditional festivals, amongst primary schoolchildren in Scotland. Children were encouraged to explore Chinese culture and to enjoy expressing what they learn.

We were delighted to receive many excellent entries from seven schools (some of which are seen in the photos above). The standard was very high, and clearly everyone involved had a lot of fun creating a variety of fascinating artwork – may we offer our heartiest congratulations to all !

We also greatly appreciate the kind support of Leith Academy in hosting the prize-giving event, and of the Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools in promoting the competition and providing prizes. Thanks, too, to the members of the SCA Edinburgh branch who did the judging and worked behind the scenes to make everything go smoothly.

The prizewinners are as follows :

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Background to the competition

The SCA competition was originally run by the Tom Murray Memorial Trust (no longer in existence). Tom Murray was a founding member of the SCA, after distinguished service with the International Brigade in Spain and was a respected Edinburgh city councillor. He was a man of courage and principle, and had a great interest both in China and in education, so this competition is dedicated to his memory.