Norwich School celebrated Chinese New Year in style on Thursday 23rd January.
The day started with a Chinese New Year assembly, led by pupils, in Norwich Cathedral. With a special appearance and performance from the Bristol-based indie band 'Transition' who sing in Mandarin.
The Cathedral was dressed for the occasion, with Chinese lanterns hung along the aisles (see photographs below). Two lions, three large dragons and five smaller dragons entered the Cathedral to Chinese drumming.
Norwich School pupil, May Maclennan, told the Chinese New Year Story, in Mandarin, with Sixth Form pupil, Jacky Chan, translating. The lions and dragons weaved through the aisles on their departure, with fortune cookies and stickers being handed out to all pupils as they left the Cathedral.
Later in the morning, in the Blake Studio, 165 pupils from schools across Norfolk, aged between Year 3 and Sixth Form, had opportunities to try traditional Chinese paper folding and cutting, calligraphy, fan painting, Chinese tea tasting and Chinese games such as 'Diablo'. Broadland High School pupils told the story of the Chinese New Year to all the visiting school children.
'Transition', throughout the morning, gave workshops to all pupils in smaller groups at No.1 Almary Green (Norwich School music school).
Norwich School Sixth Form pupils were invited to collect and take for lighting large Chinese incense candles, which burnt throughout the day in the quad.
Mr Goddard, Director of International Admissions and Manager for the Swire Chinese Language Center, said "Today was an opportunity for many schools to experience a number of different Chinese cultural activities. All the schools and students involved are members of our Swire foundation scheme."
Lyng Primary School said "Thank you for the wonderful Chinese New Year morning at Norwich School; it was thoroughly enjoyable and the children were proud showing the rest of the class their fans and Chinese writing on their return."
City of Norwich School said "Thank you for a lovely morning at your school - myself and the CNS students thoroughly enjoyed themselves."