A CELEBRATION of the Chinese New Year with art, drama, dance and a dragon, was enjoyed by children at Dormer House School as they welcomed the year of the monkey.

During the celebration they learned that 2016 is the year of the monkey; the ninth of the twelve animals to appear in the Chinese zodiac. People born in the year of the monkey, are able to count their lucky colours as white, gold and blue, their lucky flower as the chrysanthemum and their lucky numbers as one, seven and eight. Their strengths are identified as being sociable, innovative, enthusiastic and self-assured.

The pupils worked on a cross-curricular project, which showcased their creative talents. The school’s Creativity Club, led by artist in residence, Abbie Cooke, worked diligently to create a giant paper Chinese dragon, which had a long red satin body. Wearing authentic costumes, Year 6 provided great entertainment by putting on a performance telling the riches to rags history of the last Chinese Emperor, Puyi. Meanwhile, Year 5 performed a noisy rendition of ‘The Lion Dance’ by Trevor Millum.

The children also took part in a parade as the Year 1 Chinese dragon danced into assembly to the sounds of gongs, cymbals, chimes and ‘gong xi fa cai’.

Mrs Cooke said: “With stomping feet and musical accompaniment, the dragon dance was a wonderful exhibition of creativity.”

Dormer’s headmistress Alison Thomas added: “The assembly was a colourful celebration of this collaborative project; a real fusion of the Arts and history.”