CHILDREN at Holy Rood Junior School celebrated German day yesterday as part of their ongoing diversity and culture programme.

The school holds the Full International Award, and headteacher Tony McAteer said there was a real desire to recognise the different cultures in the school.

“We have got a very diverse school population,” he said.

“We identify four days a year called international days where children come in to celebrate different nationalities. Back in the autumn we did the Caribbean, and today it is the turn of Germany.

“We will do England next. It is about giving children a greater knowledge and respect for different cultures and backgrounds.”

The curriculum was suspended for the day as children were given lessons and talks tailored around Germany, as well as a special menu including bratwurst and strudel.

“We had a visitor who was a native German who went to each class to give a presentation about the history, culture and general life in Germany,” said Mr McAteer.

“The next day will be on 23 April. We have 18 different nationalities represented among pupils in the school, and this helps children to appreciate the diversity we have.”