Nihao Mandarin Language School, based in Woodcote Primary School in Purley, gayly ushered in the Year of Dog with 500 students, teachers and parents at the rented hall in Wallington High School for Girls on 3rd February 2018.  Highlight of this colourful, energetic and bustling event was the opening Lion Dance for starting the year with good luck and prosperity with the audience.

In its 11th year running, Head teacher Xiuli Fu-Phasey said, “Since coming to the UK in 1999, I have witnessed that with the rapid development of China and increasing trade ties between UK and China, our school has expanded because more people are interested to learn Mandarin as a useful foreign language, and about the interesting Chinese culture that has spanned thousands of years of civilizations. The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is one of the most important one as it is celebrated by at least one fifth of the world’s population. A fraction of our students come from European background, as well as Indian, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka.  We all come together to celebrate.”

The Chinese Lunar New Year of the Earth Dog starts on 16th February 2018 and ends officially on 2nd March. People born in the zodiac Dog year are said to be loyal, honest and patient, they include those born in 1934, 1946, 1958,1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 and 2018. 

At term times, Nihao Mandarin Language School is based at Woodcote Primary School in Purley, teaching students from age 2.5 for Beanie Clubs, through to GCSE and AS/A classes and Adult Classes.