Sheffield students immerse themselves in Chinese culture during celebration event

The Year 7 students at Forge Valley School, in Stannington, were joined by members of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sheffield to try their hand at a wide range of activities as part of the celebrations on Wednesday, February 5.

Taking place less than a month after Chinese New Year, the annual event saw students split up into groups with those studying food technology being taught how to cook traditional Chinese dishes such as chow mein and stir fry.

Elsewhere pupils had a go at speaking Mandarin – the Chinese language spoken across most of northern and southwestern China – before taking part in defence training and Tai Chi while others learnt calligraphy, had history briefs based on the Shang Dynasty tales and learnt Chinese crafts.

Headteacher Dale Barrowclough said: “The aim is to offer a cultural insight into China. It widens their horizons and most certainly increases their social and cultural capital that is so important to the developing of a 21st century citizen.

“It helps them gain an insight into a culture that is an ever-increasing influence throughout the world.”

The day, which has taken place at Forge Valley since 2017, was supported by the Swire Chinese Language Foundation after funding was secured to raise awareness of the language and culture through the Tapton School Academy Trust which governs a number of schools in Sheffield including Forge Valley and Tapton schools.

The funding helps promote the teaching of Chinese and Mandarin in primary schools across the trust but also in breakfast clubs and during a ‘twilight’ sessions held once a week at Forge Valley.

Tapton, which hosted a similar event last week, has been recognised as a Chinese Language Centre.

At Forge Valley, a number of student volunteers also practised cultural performances such as the traditional Chinese dragon dance and a song recital.

They then showcased these in front of their peers, accompanied by music played on a Chinese Zither, at the culmination of the celebrations.