Chinese New Year Celebration

Our school community came together on Thursday 19 February to celebrate Chinese New Year with a lively lunchtime festival that filled the playground with colour, laughter and a wonderful sense of connection.

Led by our international students, the celebration featured four interactive activity stations for students to explore: a team chopstick challenge, a lucky bean bag toss, a zodiac discovery station and a calligraphy table where students could have their names written in Chinese on traditional red paper. From the moment lunch began, each station was buzzing with participation, with students from all year groups keen to join in.

One of the highlights of the day was seeing so many students try using chopsticks — some for the first time. Many rose to the challenge with determination and humour, and even a few teachers discovered just how tricky picking up M&Ms with chopsticks can be. The special Chinese New Year lunch box, available through the canteen, was also very popular, with many students proudly practising their chopstick skills while enjoying the meal.

The calligraphy station quickly became a favourite. Students were delighted to take home their names written in Chinese on red paper, a traditional symbol of good fortune and celebration. At the zodiac station, students discovered their Chinese zodiac animal and learned a little about what it represents, sparking many conversations and smiles.

Most importantly, the day provided a meaningful opportunity for our international students to step forward as leaders. They organised, explained and hosted the activities with confidence, connecting with local students and sharing aspects of their culture in a relaxed and welcoming way. It was wonderful to see friendships forming and conversations flowing across year groups and cultures.

Events like this play an important role in building a sense of belonging and intercultural understanding within our school community. By creating opportunities for students to share traditions and experiences, we strengthen the inclusive and supportive environment we value so highly.

A sincere thank you to our International Student Prefect, Ellen C and student helpers for their leadership, to staff who supported and promoted the event, and to our Maintenance and Canteen teams for helping bring the celebration to life across both campuses.

We hope the festive atmosphere and sense of community will carry with us well into the year ahead.

Happy New Year to all who celebrate. 🧧