Chinese Lunar Year at Redmaids' High

Celebrating Chinese New Year at Redmaids' High: A Vibrant Festivity of Culture and Tradition

Last week, we had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year at Redmaids' High, where both our Junior School pupils and Senior School students took part in a range of exciting activities to mark the Year of the Snake!

Our Sixth Form students shared their knowledge of Chinese calligraphy with Year 4 pupils, teaching them how to write auspicious words associated with the New Year tradition, such as 'luck' (福) and 'happy new year' (新年快乐). These calligraphy banners, known as Chunlian (春联), are traditionally placed on doorways to create an optimistic and festive atmosphere. The phrases written on them symbolise good fortune, happiness, and prosperity for the coming year.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the breathtaking lion dance performance, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums, gongs, and cymbals. This dance has deep roots in Chinese martial arts and is performed across Asia as a way to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. The Chinese lion dance is typically performed by two dancers - one controlling the head and the other the tai - moving in synchrony to mimic the playful yet powerful movements of a lion. Our students were captivated by the energetic performance, which was not only mesmerising but also interactive, as the dancers shared fortune cookies with the audience, adding an extra touch of joy to the experience.

Of course, no New Year celebration would be complete without delicious food! Thanks to Chartwell’s catering team, all staff and students enjoyed a special lunch featuring traditional Chinese dishes. The festive decorations in the lunch area further added to the joyous atmosphere. A fun and much-anticipated part of the day was the lucky red envelope (hongbao) tradition, where some students received envelopes containing tickets. Those lucky enough to find a winning ticket were treated to a sweet treat, bringing plenty of smiles and excitement.

Did you know? The tradition of giving red envelopes dates back centuries and is meant to bestow good luck and ward off misfortune. It is typically given by elders to children and younger family members as a gesture of goodwill.

We extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped organise this vibrant and meaningful celebration. It was a fantastic way to honour tradition, embrace cultural diversity, and create lasting memories for all involved.

Happy Year of the Snake!

新年快乐!

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