Youngsters from St Elizabeth’s Primary welcomed some very special guests last Thursday.

The St Elizabeth’s Russian Orthodox Sisters visited the school.

They were in the country on a four-day visit from Belarus and wanted to visit the primary that shares their order’s name.

Depute headteacher Christine Emmett said: “The Sisters are visiting Motherwell Diocese and were asked to pop into St Elizabeth’s Primary in Hamilton to tell us about their saint and charitable works and what brought them to Scotland.

“The P7 sacramental class were particularly interested in their saint as part of their research into confirmation names.

“This Russian saint was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, a very kind and generous person who was killed during the Russian Revolution.

“The Sisters work with the homeless, orphans and addicts, supporting them with employment and funds through their art and craft workshops.”

Youngsters enjoyed some produce donated by the Co-op.

Meanwhile, St Elizabeth’s launched their Fairtrade Fortnight campaign with a Walk To School Fairtrade breakfast, sponsored by the Co-op in Mill Road.

P5 pupils Marisa Ventesei, Eva McCaffrey and Eilidh Donald wrote to the store, asking for Fairtrade bananas and other breakfast produce, and were delighted with the response.

Store staff helped serve toast, fruit and cereal to children and their parents before school on Friday morning.

Over the fortnight the pupils will learn more about Fairtrade initiatives around the world and raise funds through a tuck shop.