Festivals

One of the ways the children learn about different cultures is by acknowledging various festivals and cultural traditions.

The children are involved in activities where they are encouraged to create versions of artefacts (eg. Diwas for Diwali), act out stories and learn about traditions and customs of the culture through hands on experience - tasting food, dressing up, listening to music and exploring different types of dance.

Whole school and classroom based displays - photographs, reference books, stories, artefacts, etc, help the school community - children, parents, carers, visitors etc. to develop their awareness of different cultures.

Find out more about festival we acknowledge

Carnival

Chinese New Year

Diwali

Christmas

Eid-ur-Fitr

Carnival at Chelwood

All dressed up for the carnival procession!

Sharing Caribbean food

Diwali at Chelwood

We learn all about Diwali - the festival of lights. The children take part in various activies related to the celebration.

Here are all the things we do!

* read and act out the story of Rama and Sita using puppets, masks and small world toys.

* make Divas

* have our hands painted with Mendhi patterns

* creat Rangoli patterns

* make welcoming Torans to place over the doorways

* enjoy the taste of Indian food

* dress up in traditional Indian clothes

* share stories and books which reflect the Indian culture

Christmas at Chelwood

We learn all about Christmas. The children take part in various activities related to the celebration.

Here are some of the things we do!

• read and act out the Christmas story - using puppets, masks and small world toys

• make and decorate a Christmas cake

* decorate Christmas trees

* make Christmas cards

* make calendars as presents

* make party hats

* create decorations

* share books that reflect Christmas customs in different cultures

* learn Christmas songs and give a concert for parents

Chinese New Year at Chelwood

We learn all about Chinese New Year. The children take part in various activities related to the celebration.

We learn to say Happy New Year in Chinese - 'Kung Hei Fat Choi'.

Take a look at the things we do!

* we make lanterns and fans to decorate our classrooms.

* we make peach blossom, which symbolises good luck

* we put up displays around the school using Chinese artefacts and learn about Chinese traditions.

* we listen to Chinese music and dance with ribbons

* we act out the Chinese New Year story using masks in the garden and using animals in the classroom.

* we have a go at Chinese calligraphy

* we join in the lion dance around the school garden

* we feast on Chinese food and have a go at eating with chopsticks - Kung Hei Fat Choi!