A spectacular Chinese Lion Dance to celebrate the New Year

This half term has ended on a joyous note as we have enjoyed many cultural activities as we prepare for the Lunar New Year. The student Heads of the International Association (ISA) led a whole school assembly sharing information about new year traditions and the significance of us entering the Year of the Dragon.

The main event of the week was a real treat for our school community as the University of Bristol Lion Dance Troupe entertained and amazed us with a two-lion dance complete with traditional drum music.

Chinese Lion Dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, usually performed on special occasions such as Chinese New Year, special celebrations and wedding ceremonies. Not to be confused with dragon dance, the Chinese Lion Dance is performed by two dancers who mimics the movement of a lion in a lion costume. The Chinese Lion Dance is performed to spread happiness, luck and prosperity in the upcoming year.

Our students were thrilled to be part of the experience, and enjoyed catching sweets thrown from the lions' mouths! We were also delighted to welcome Year 4 from St Stephen's Primary School who watched with our students.

In boarding, we made a traditional new year cake- Nian Gao which was shared with both boarding houses. The ISA also held a rice ball making workshop for years 10 and 11, while years 7-9 made paper fortune cookies and decorated their tutor room doors with paper firecrackers. Miss Parr and Miss Cheers took a group of ISA students and student ambassadors to a local primary school to teach younger students about Lunar New Year- sharing traditional stories, teaching them about traditions and helping them make decorations. They felt incredibly proud of the leadership qualities and excellent collaboration the girls demonstrated. It is so important for students to learn from each other and share their traditions, celebrating as a whole school community.

Happy Year of the Dragon to all!