Students enjoy a lion dance performance during a Chinese New Year celebration at Kensington Wade school in London on Jan 31. (Provided to China Daily)
Lion dances, red lanterns, and Chinese calligraphy have brought joy to students in the United Kingdom in schools that celebrated the Chinese New Year.
Kensington Wade, a nursery and preparatory school in London, put on its biggest celebration yet for the Chinese New Year on Jan 31.
The school, which is the only one in the UK to teach all subjects in Mandarin and English, hosted a vigorous lion dance performance, which was deemed to bring good luck and fortune for the new year because the lion is revered in Chinese culture as a symbol of courage, strength, and power.
Chinese songs and workshops in traditional Chinese percussion added to the festive atmosphere for students and others who attended the event, which was open to the public.
Huw May, Kensington Wade's headmaster, said the Chinese New Year celebrations captivated the children and the wider community.
"We've enjoyed the colorful lion dance and also learned calligraphy and how to make dumplings," he said. "Our school is in the unique position of being the only one in Western Europe to provide an immersive bilingual – Mandarin and English – education from nursery to prep school. This means we take the very best from British and Chinese cultures and combine this with academic excellence and outstanding pastoral care.
Students are shown how to write Chinese characters during a Chinese New Year celebration at Kensington Wade in London on Jan 31. (Provided to China Daily)
"Chinese New Year is very special to us because we put into practice so much of what we have learned during the year, and this culminates with a celebration of what is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture."
In Kent, Holmewood House School, a co-educational school for students aged 2 to 13, also held a Chinese New Year celebration for its students, to expose them to Chinese culture and traditions.
The school in Tunbridge Wells organized cultural activities, including calligraphy workshops, educational sessions on the history and traditions of the Chinese New Year, and storytelling about the Chinese zodiac. In addition, students participated in writing the character fu on red paper, which means blessings and fortune, and enjoyed a special Chinese New Year lunch on the first day of the new year, which fell on Jan 29.
Ruth O'Sullivan, head of the school, said celebrating different cultures, such as what was done through the Chinese New Year event, is hugely important because it "promotes understanding and respect between diverse communities, strengthens social bonds, and provides an excellent opportunity to learn about and appreciate different traditions and customs".
"Celebrating Chinese New Year during the Chinese New Year week for our Chinese pupils ensures they can preserve their cultural identity," she said. "Sharing traditions and practices that have been passed down from generation to generation means their cultural heritage is not lost and that our school is much richer for it."
Cathy Spoor, head of Year 3 teacher, decorated her classroom with festive adornments including lanterns, garlands, and the Chinese character fu to mark the Chinese New Year.
"All the children have been in awe (of the decorations) and are very excited to share with their Chinese friends and learn from them," she said. "I wanted to celebrate Chinese New Year in Year 3 because I feel that it is very important to make all students feel comfortable and included. Celebrating large cultural celebrations like Chinese New Year allows everyone to be proud of their cultural heritage and enriches the lives of the whole school community."
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