Boys across the school joined together this week as we celebrated Chinese New Year and welcomed in the Year of the Rabbit.
Our boarders in Eagle House started the celebrations to welcome in the New Year at the weekend with traditional food and hóngbāo (Mandarin) or lai see (Cantonese): lucky red envelopes filled with rice-paper money or sweets as a wish for good luck and fortune in the New Year.
Fittingly, the Dining Hall was festooned with red decorations on Monday to mark the celebration. Every boy was treated to a special Chinese menu complete with fortune cookies and lucky red envelopes to open.
In assemblies, the celebrations continued: Austin Yu (Y8), Simon Zhang (Y7), Zachary Wong (Y7) and Jacky Hou (Y8) gave a brilliant assembly to all boys in the Prep School and shared some fascinating and famous inventions that originate from China, including paper, gunpowder, porcelain and the magnetic compass. Meanwhile, Oscar McCartie (Y6) sang a Chinese song, which was played in the Upper School’s special assembly for Chinese New Year.
The celebrations continued in the classroom as well. Y3 learned about Chinese traditions and made lanterns to help show their respect and understanding of different beliefs and communities. Meanwhile, in tutor groups, boys also created brilliant window displays to celebrate the New Year and the Year of the Rabbit throughout the week, vying to be voted the most creative. The winner will be announced early next week.
Headmaster Ian Silk told us, “It has been a real treat to celebrate Chinese New Year as a school. The boys’ assembly was simply brilliant, as was the celebration meal in the Dining Hall. Both were wonderful occasions for the boys to learn more about Chinese culture and share Chinese New Year traditions together.”
While the traditional celebrations continue for many days to come, may we wish all our Chinese families Xin nian kuai le or Gong hei fat choy.