Source: Daily Post, Wales

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/bangor-school-joins-millions-around-12520798

The Full Text:

Bangor school joins millions around the world in celebrating Chinese New Year

Ysgol Hirael has a regular Chinese teacher who visits once a week to provide Mandarin and Chinese dance lessons to pupils

The Chinese New Year is being celebrated by well over a billion people worldwide, with a small corner of North Wales among them.

Over the past week, pupils and staff at Ysgol Hirael in Bangor have joined in the celebrations at what is one of the most ethnically diverse schools in the region, mainly due to the presence of the city's university.

Today will see the main celebrations to welcome in the Year of the Rooster, with the date varying from year to year as it observes the lunisolar Chinese calendar.

The school has been working closely with Bangor University's Confucius Institute over the past year and now have a regular Chinese teacher who visits once a week to provide Mandarin and Chinese dance lessons.

Pupils at Ysgol Hirael in Bangor celebrate Chinese New Year 2017(Photo: Ysgol Hirael)

On Friday, the pupils were treated to a special Chinese New Year to mark the importance of the event worldwide.

Helen Speddy, the school's ethnic minority achievement teacher, who supports pupils learning both English and Welsh, said, “There's currently over 40 pupils in the school for whom English is a second or third language.

“Pupils at the school speak more than 10 different languages and come from over 15 different countries across the world.

“Cultural celebrations are an important part of the ethos of the school. They are currently arranging an 'International Week' to celebrate language and culture."

“This will give pupils an opportunity to learn about different countries and language through a variety of cross-curricular activities and with the support of parents, local secondary schools, Bangor University and community groups.”

Pupils at Ysgol Hirael in Bangor celebrate Chinese New Year 2017(Photo: Ysgol Hirael)