Our Ukraine project welcomes, and supports the integration of, Ukrainian families, children and adults who have arrived in Sutton since the war started. Thank you to The London Borough of Sutton’s Refugee Resettlement Team for the continued funding of the project.

Established in October 2022 and running during term time, the Saturday morning 'school' is the cornerstone of support for Ukrainian children, with around 50 children attending each week. As well as helping Ukrainian children to maintain their culture and language, it also creates a sense of community among families. 

With us since the beginning, Svitlana Pavliv (pictured here with her colleagues, third from right) has very kindly shared her experiences of teaching at the ‘school’ for the past two years.

“My name is Svitlana Pavliv, and I was a Ukrainian Studies teacher at the "Ukrainian Wreath" Saturday school located in Sutton, London. Our school was born (founded) in 2022 when thousands of Ukrainian families were forced to leave their homes due to Russia's full-scale invasion. The word "born" best captured the unspoken need and life force that united us in a new country, giving new life to our culture and traditions abroad. This place became a true center of our Ukrainian community, where every Saturday began with the Ukrainian national anthem, filling our hearts with pride and a sense of unity.

My Ukrainian Studies classes provided children with an opportunity to immerse themselves in our native culture, feel its depth, and richness. Every Saturday, we journeyed through the pages of our history, uncovered notable figures, studied folk customs, and celebrated traditional holidays. Children eagerly listened to my stories, actively participated in discussions and creative projects, their eyes bright with curiosity.

In addition to Ukrainian Studies, our school taught Ukrainian language, art, and music. Each lesson was a small celebration where children not only acquired knowledge but also felt part of a larger Ukrainian family. We joyfully sang Ukrainian songs together, created artworks that conveyed our love for our homeland. These moments filled our hearts with warmth and hope, bringing joy and a sense of unity. Watching children enthusiastically explore Ukrainian culture, I felt deep gratitude and pride for being able to preserve and pass on our heritage. These moments reminded us of how important it was to nurture our national identity and love for our homeland, even far from home.

Within the walls of our school, we observed all major Ukrainian holidays. On the Golden Autumn Festival, we organized an event called "Pumpkin Walk through the Town." Children enthusiastically participated in various contests, sang cheerful songs, and had fun.

For St. Nicholas Day celebrations, children eagerly awaited gifts received from Saint Nicholas himself. Their eyes gleamed with joy and excitement, creating an atmosphere filled with magic, charm and kindness. 

At Christmas, we sang carols, sang traditional Ukrainian songs, and enjoyed varenyky, kutia, and other traditional dishes. This created a sense of home and unity, even far from our native land.

On February 22nd, we remembered the horrific events of the full-scale invasion. It was a day of mourning and sorrow as we honored the memory of those who suffered. We also organized a charity fair and raised funds to support Ukraine. It was a testament to our unity and desire to support our fellow countrymen.

In spring, our school celebrated Mother's Day. Children made handmade gifts, sang touching songs, and recited poems. Mothers cried tears of joy and pride, feeling special and loved.

The Ukrainian Embroidery Day at our Saturday school "Ukrainian Wreath" was another special celebration where all students and teachers wore embroidered shirts to honor and support Ukrainian culture and traditions."

"I am incredibly happy to have been a part of the 'Ukrainian Wreath' school. Although I no longer work there, it will remain in my heart as a place where we created a true Ukrainian family far from home. I am proud to have had the opportunity to be part of this wonderful community and to help preserve and promote our culture.”

Sadly we are losing Svitlana, but we would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her incredible passion and commitment. You will be sorely missed! “Д якую. До побачення”

All of our work with the Ukrainian community is fully funded by the London Borough of Sutton. For projects, such as the Ukrainian Saturday Morning 'School' where there is a high demand for places, priority will go to Ukrainian families who live within the London Borough of Sutton. The 'school' currently has around 50 students and is at full capacity. Any families that would like their children to join are invited to apply and they will be added to the waiting list. We will be able to offer you a place as soon as a space becomes available. Please click here to apply.