Our Pre-School children have had a joyful week celebrating Chinese New Year, immersing themselves in the sights, sounds and traditions of this vibrant festival.
This year marks the Year of the Horse, a symbol of wisdom, intuition and transformation in the Chinese zodiac. The children enjoyed discovering what this means, while learning about how families around the world celebrate this special time of year.
The classroom was filled with colour as the children carefully crafted their own beautiful lanterns, learning about the symbolism of light and good fortune. There was great excitement as they took part in a lively dragon dance, working together to bring the dragon to life and experiencing the rhythm and energy of this traditional celebration.
Role play activities proved equally popular, with children practising their noodle-chopping skills and exploring Chinese New Year through imaginative play. These hands-on experiences not only developed fine motor skills and teamwork, but also helped nurture curiosity about different cultures and traditions. Claire Petrie, Head of Prep, said:
“It has been wonderful to see our youngest pupils engaging so enthusiastically with Chinese New Year. Celebrating festivals from around the world helps children develop curiosity, empathy and respect for different cultures. These early experiences play an important role in shaping open-minded, confident learners who value diversity and community.”
We were especially delighted to welcome Eric H-C. from Year 5, who visited to read a special Chinese New Year story. The children listened beautifully and loved sharing this celebration with one of our older pupils — a wonderful example of our “one school” community in action.
At Kimbolton, we are proud to celebrate diversity and encourage our pupils to explore and appreciate traditions from around the world. Experiences like this help build understanding, respect and a genuine sense of belonging from the very earliest years.
What a wonderful way to learn together.
Happy Chinese New Year! 🧧
