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Spalding Lithuanian School opens its doors




A new school set up to teach Lithuanian youngsters about their heritage has been inundated with pupils.

Spalding’s Lithuanian School, which is currently running from St Norbert’s Church, has proved popular despite opening just a few weeks ago.

The new community project, which was set up by Vaida-Janina Trabsaite and Jolanta Kensminiene, aims to teach Lithuanian language and culture to children who are being brought up in South Holland.

Spalding Lithuanian School (59495039)
Spalding Lithuanian School (59495039)

Vaida, who is the community chairman, said: “Two years ago my daughter started going to a Lithuanian school in Peterborough but I thought we have such a big community here, why should we go to Peterborough?

“With the blessing of the director of the Peterborough school I started to set the Spalding school up and within 24 hours of advertising, we already had 20 requests.”

The school, which holds classes between 4.30pm and 7pm each Wednesday, is already at full capacity with 40 students and a large waiting list. There are currently three experienced teachers working at the school, teaching three classes old children aged from four to 11.

Spalding Lithuanian School (59495043)
Spalding Lithuanian School (59495043)

Vaida explained: “We teach language, writing and Lithuanian culture as well.

“I think it’s important to teach children about their history. We love England but we don’t want people to forget where they come from.

“A lot of children can’t speak to their grandparents in Lithuania as their main language is English. It’s also really beneficial to speak a different language.

Spalding Lithuanian School (59495046)
Spalding Lithuanian School (59495046)

“We really want to join the community together as I think that is very important for Spalding.”

Vaida is now on the hunt for a larger premises to accommodate more students and is welcoming any help on offer.

She said: “Father Jim (Burke) has been very good to us in renting out the hall and we hope that we could use the St Thomas’s Road chapel in the future.

“We were scared that we would not have enough room so now we are looking for more space to have more classrooms.”

Anyone who can help should contact the school by emailing

spaldingcommunityliepa@gmail.com



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