Chinese New Year in Oxford

Schools across Oxfordshire Celebrated Chinese New Year at an event to mark the official opening of the new Swire Chinese Language Centre – Oxford

Primary school children in Oxfordshire performed a flamboyant Lion Dance at Radley College on Thursday 6th February to celebrate Chinese New Year at an event to mark the official opening of the new Swire Chinese Language Centre – Oxford (SCLCO).

Radley College and Oxford High School have put teaching of the Chinese language on the agenda for state schools across Oxfordshire and surrounding counties. A total of nine schools in Oxfordshire and four across the South East, both primary and secondary, have joined the SCLCO which broadens the reach of Chinese teaching and allows students from all backgrounds to learn Chinese.

The SCLCO works by creating a hub at the secondary schools, with the Mandarin teacher hired to work at the hub and going into at least two local primary schools to teach Mandarin along with a Chinese Language Assistant. The programme delivers lessons in Chinese – either within the curriculum or as an extra-curricular activity. Teaching happens onsite and is supported by online resources and master-class sessions at one or other of the schools.

Jacquie Stevenson, Head at Rush Common Primary School, Abingdon, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Swire Chinese Language Centre – Oxford. It is a wonderful opportunity for our children to learn Mandarin Chinese and to study Chinese culture as part of the new initiative. We are finding that even the youngest pupils love the complexity and beauty of the Chinese language. Our children are very excited to be performing a Lion Dance at Radley College to celebrate Chinese New Year on 6th February, it is set to be a magnificent display followed by fireworks.”

John Moule, the Warden at Radley College, said: “It is a very exciting opportunity to pioneer a partnership between independent and maintained schools in an area of real educational and cultural interest. The Swire Chinese Language Centre will establish relationships with schools from the state sector across Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties and will encourage learning of the Chinese Language by widening access to students from all backgrounds. It is a powerful and exciting vision and we would love to hear from local schools in Oxfordshire, both primary and secondary, that would like to get involved.”