BCI visits Garforth Academy to Celebrate Lantern Festival
BCI visits Garforth Academy to Celebrate Lantern Festival
On Friday 30th January, BCI teachers Qingyuan Yang and Yingying Bai delivered a Chinese Taster Session and Lantern Festival introduction at Garforth Academy, marking the second consecutive year of collaboration to celebrate the Lantern Festival.
The session welcomed 20 enthusiastic children and four teachers, all eager to learn more about Chinese culture. Qingyuan and Yingying introduced students to the significance of Lantern Festival traditions, shining a light on themes of reunion, hope, and the welcoming of spring.
A highlight of the visit was the lantern‑making activity, where pupils crafted their own decorative paper lanterns. This hands-on experience allowed students to explore cultural art techniques while expressing creativity. Teachers and students alike engaged with curiosity and excitement, resulting in a vibrant collection of handmade lanterns by the end of the session.
The event built beautifully on last year’s visit, strengthening the school’s cultural connections and giving students a meaningful and memorable way to engage with Chinese traditions. We look forward to continuing this partnership in future celebrations.
BCI Support for Schools Across the Region
Beyond this event, BCI is proud to support schools across Leeds and North Yorkshire, promoting Chinese language and cultural education. Our long‑standing partnership with Harrogate Grammar School as a designated Confucius Classroom continues to provide enriched learning opportunities for pupils and staff. We also offer community‑focused support to local weekend schools, including New Vision Education School and Leeds Community Chinese School, helping to sustain cultural learning within the wider community.
In addition, BCI regularly collaborates with a number of schools for ad hoc cultural events and workshops, including Leeds Co‑op Academy, Garforth Academy, and Benton Park School. BCI also supports the Northern Hub Mandarin Excellence Programme, working with participating schools such as Pudsey Grammar School, Crossley Heath School, and Macmillan Academy to further strengthen Mandarin learning opportunities across the North.
These partnerships reflect our ongoing commitment to making Chinese language and culture accessible, engaging, and meaningful for learners of all ages. If you are interested in us working with your school, why not email [email protected]?
