Red lanterns, fireworks, and family feasts. These are just some of the ways millions around the world welcome the Lunar New Year, the most significant celebration in the Chinese zodiac calendar.   This year, the festivities begin on Wednesday, January 29, ushering in the Year of the Snake. The 15-day Spring Festival is a time for exchanging red envelopes filled with money, gathering with loved ones, and enjoying traditional delicacies such as turnip cake. It also marks the busiest travel season in China, as millions return home to celebrate. The 40-day period surrounding the holiday, known as Chunyun, is one of the largest human migrations in the world, with an estimated 9 billion trips taking place between January 14 and February 22.   To honour this special occasion, our school is hosting a series of activities celebrating Chinese culture:     Workshops & Activities     LS Library Activities Dumplings Workshop – Wednesday, 5th February, 15:00–16:00 Chinese Knot Workshop – Friday, 7th February, 12:20–12:50 Chinese Paper Cutting Workshop – Thursday, 27th February, 12:20–12:50   Storytelling Sessions KS1 (Reception & F1): Friday, 14th February, 13:00 KS2: Friday, 21st February, 13:30   AssembliesTiago Farinha and Manuel Campante will share their experiences in China: F5 & F6 Assembly: Wednesday, 12th February, 8:15 F7 & F8 Assembly: Wednesday, 19th February, 14:00 (date subject to change) Students are invited to participate in our Poster Competition! Please submit your posters to the Confucius Classroom Office by February 14 for a chance to win. The top three designs will receive awards!   Submit your poster here: https://tinyurl.com/44ynb2vz     Join us in celebrating the richness of Lunar New Year traditions!

 Lourenço’s Return: A CLIP Alumni Story Meet Lourenço, a proud 2021 graduate of CLIP who returned to reflect on the special moments this holiday season. Currently completing his final year in Computer Science at the University of Manchester, Lourenço shared how CLIP’s motto, “Once a Clipper, Always a Clipper,” continues to resonate.   December 2024 Highlights at CLIP This month brought a mix of tradition, celebration, and community engagement: - Hope & Joy 2024: The holiday season was centred on love, family, and the power of words. This year’s theme welcomed everyone back to the sense of belonging that defines CLIP. - Lower School Christmas Celebrations: The youngest Clippers brought festive magic to life with their joyful celebrations. - Spirit Week in Middle and Upper School: Students showed off their creativity and unity during a week of themed activities. - Clippers in Motion: The generosity of CLIP’s community was on full display through charitable initiatives that made an impact.   A Holiday Postcard from the Media Club In collaboration with the Media Club, Lourenço helped create a holiday postcard celebrating the strength of words and the feeling of belonging. This project highlights the lasting connections formed within the CLIP community.   What’s Next for 2025? As CLIP looks forward to the new year, the focus remains on celebrating moments of togetherness and building on the strong bonds of its Clippers, past and present. 

Today, the German Form 5 class brought a cherished Northern European tradition to life. The St. Nicholas Day celebration was an event filled with storytelling, games, and cultural exchanges that highlighted the richness of this beloved holiday.   Students were thrilled by appearances from Krampus and Nikolaus, who brought the folklore to life and added an extra layer of excitement to the festivities. St. Nicholas Day, celebrated annually on December 6, is deeply rooted in European culture. It celebrates the generosity and kindness of St. Nicholas, the historical figure who inspired the modern-day Santa Claus. The inclusion of Krampus, a figure associated with cautionary tales, adds an exciting dimension to the festivities, emphasizing the importance of good behaviour in a light-hearted way.  This class showcased our student's enthusiasm for learning about global traditions and for our diverse community.