Newsletter articles for Term 1 include ¨Celebrating Chinese New Year Workshop 2025¨ Written by Li Feng-Brignall, Teacher in Charge of Chinese, Tauranga Girls’ College "2024 Chinese Immersion Programme - Beijing" Written by Daisy Jing Xu, Chinese Teacher, Pakuranga College "24 Solar Terms" Written by Fiona Yen, Facilitator, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
Written by Li Feng-Brignall, Teacher in Charge of Chinese, Tauranga Girls’ College
Picture 1: Group photo of workshop participants
Picture 2: Chinese language teachers demonstrate their moveable-type priting
Attending the Tui Tuia Chinese New Year Celebration 2025 workshop is the best way to kick off a new year of teaching and learning. On February 1st, teachers from Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua, Hamilton, Christchurch, and Dunedin converged at the University of Auckland to celebrate the Year of the Snake. The workshop refreshed participants on New Year customs and cultural activities, explored comparisons with Māori cultural practices, and incorporated learning experiences that enabled connections to the STEAM curriculum.
Teachers were introduced to the legend of the Year of the Snake and engaged in making a spinning paper snake craft. It was fascinating to see how this craft could be applied to STEAM principles. Another hands-on activity involved combining movable-type printing techniques with woodblock printing to create a piece of artwork—a poem and an ink painting printed on rice paper. The completed painting could then be framed as a classroom decoration. The workshop also provided an opportunity for teachers to develop Mandarin language skills while integrating cultural understanding and competence. It guided teachers in incorporating Te Ao Māori Whai string activities and applying them to STEAM principles. Interestingly, Whai string activities were familiar to us, as they used to be popular among children in China. All teachers enthusiastically played the Cat’s Cradle activity with their partners. There are commonalities and interconnections between Māori and Chinese cultures. The Māori pūrākau (legend) of Māui and Tuna was compared with the legend of the Year of the Snake.
Attending the Tui Tuia Chinese New Year Celebration workshop is worthwhile. The content was well-organized and provided professional development and inspiration for Chinese language teachers. Through attending this annual workshop, I feel recharged, connected, and equipped with knowledge, skills, and resources to better engage students in my classroom.
2024 Chinese Immersion Programme - Beijing
Written by Daisy Jing Xu, Chinese Teacher, Pakuranga College
We are excited to share our experiences from the recent immersion programme at Beijing Language and Cultural University. This journey has been truly transformative for all ten New Zealand local school teachers who participated.
The University provided experienced experts who taught us grammar and vocabulary and shared valuable insights from their teaching experiences. These sessions were incredibly enriching and equipped us with practical strategies that we can immediately implement in our classrooms back in New Zealand.
Our visit began with an in-depth look at the educational practices at Beijing Petroleum College Affiliated Elementary School. We were deeply impressed by the dedication and innovation of the teachers there. Their full English classes set a high standard for language education. What stood out the most was the extensive range of talent workshops offered after school, all run voluntarily by teachers. These workshops, covering over 100 different talents, demonstrated the educators' commitment to providing a well-rounded education for their students.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our visit was collaborating with our fellow visiting teachers. They were not only prepared to teach but also collected a wealth of authentic materials for us to bring back to New Zealand. These resources will enhance our teaching practices and provide our students with a more immersive language learning experience. Beyond professional development, we formed lasting friendships with our ‘classmates.’ We shared experiences and challenges, learning together as a cohesive group of ten visiting teachers. This collaborative environment fostered a sense of community and support, making the experience even more enriching.
Apart from the academic highlights, our time in Beijing was filled with memorable cultural experiences. Dining in the university canteen offered a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine, which was both delicious and eye-opening. Visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City was truly awe-inspiring. These iconic landmarks not only showcased the rich history and culture of China but also provided us with a deeper appreciation of the country’s heritage.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Tui Tuia Learning Circle and Center for Language Education and Cooperation for sponsoring this incredible opportunity. Your support has enriched our professional lives and opened new doors for our students. We look forward to sharing the knowledge and experiences we gained with our schools and communities.
24 Solar Terms
Written by Fiona Yen, Facilitator, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle Facilitator.
The Year of the Snake symbolises wisdom, transformation, and resilience. In Chinese culture, the snake represents deep thinking and adaptability—qualities that reflect the natural cycles of change. Just as a snake sheds its skin for new growth, the changing seasons bring renewal, guided by the 24 Solar Terms (二十四节气, èr shí sì jié qì) in the traditional Chinese calendar.
Recognised as one of China’s great inventions, the 24 Solar Terms were originally based on the movement of the Big Dipper’s (北斗七星, běi dǒu qī xīng) handle in the night sky. These terms helped people track seasonal changes, guiding agriculture and daily life for centuries.
Since we’ve just celebrated Chinese New Year, it’s the perfect time to explore the six solar terms of spring: 立春 (lì chūn) – Beginning of Spring: Marks the start of the season and symbolises new beginnings. 雨水 (yǔ shuǐ) – Rain Water: Brings increased rainfall, essential for agriculture. 惊蛰 (jīng zhé) – Awakening of Insects: Warmer weather rouses insects from hibernation. 春分 (chūn fēn) – Spring Equinox: Day and night become equal, a time of balance. 清明 (qīng míng) – Pure Brightness: A period for honouring ancestors and enjoying nature. 谷雨 (gǔ yǔ) – Grain Rain: The last spring term, indicating ideal conditions for crop growth.
Among them, 立春 (lì chūn) – Beginning of Spring is especially important, marking the official start of the new year. This is why Chinese New Year is also called 春节 (chūn jié) – Spring Festival. A well-known Chinese proverb reflects the season’s significance:
一年之计在于春 (yì nián zhī jì zài yú chūn) "The key to a successful year lies in spring."
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2025 - Chinese - Term 1 Newsletter Articles
Celebrating Chinese New Year Workshop 2025
Written by Li Feng-Brignall, Teacher in Charge of Chinese, Tauranga Girls’ College
Picture 1: Group photo of workshop participants
Picture 2: Chinese language teachers demonstrate their moveable-type priting
Attending the Tui Tuia Chinese New Year Celebration 2025 workshop is the best way to kick off a new year of teaching and learning. On February 1st, teachers from Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua, Hamilton, Christchurch, and Dunedin converged at the University of Auckland to celebrate the Year of the Snake. The workshop refreshed participants on New Year customs and cultural activities, explored comparisons with Māori cultural practices, and incorporated learning experiences that enabled connections to the STEAM curriculum.
Teachers were introduced to the legend of the Year of the Snake and engaged in making a spinning paper snake craft. It was fascinating to see how this craft could be applied to STEAM principles. Another hands-on activity involved combining movable-type printing techniques with woodblock printing to create a piece of artwork—a poem and an ink painting printed on rice paper. The completed painting could then be framed as a classroom decoration. The workshop also provided an opportunity for teachers to develop Mandarin language skills while integrating cultural understanding and competence. It guided teachers in incorporating Te Ao Māori Whai string activities and applying them to STEAM principles. Interestingly, Whai string activities were familiar to us, as they used to be popular among children in China. All teachers enthusiastically played the Cat’s Cradle activity with their partners. There are commonalities and interconnections between Māori and Chinese cultures. The Māori pūrākau (legend) of Māui and Tuna was compared with the legend of the Year of the Snake.
Attending the Tui Tuia Chinese New Year Celebration workshop is worthwhile. The content was well-organized and provided professional development and inspiration for Chinese language teachers. Through attending this annual workshop, I feel recharged, connected, and equipped with knowledge, skills, and resources to better engage students in my classroom.
2024 Chinese Immersion Programme - Beijing
Written by Daisy Jing Xu, Chinese Teacher, Pakuranga College
We are excited to share our experiences from the recent immersion programme at Beijing Language and Cultural University. This journey has been truly transformative for all ten New Zealand local school teachers who participated.
The University provided experienced experts who taught us grammar and vocabulary and shared valuable insights from their teaching experiences. These sessions were incredibly enriching and equipped us with practical strategies that we can immediately implement in our classrooms back in New Zealand.
Our visit began with an in-depth look at the educational practices at Beijing Petroleum College Affiliated Elementary School. We were deeply impressed by the dedication and innovation of the teachers there. Their full English classes set a high standard for language education. What stood out the most was the extensive range of talent workshops offered after school, all run voluntarily by teachers. These workshops, covering over 100 different talents, demonstrated the educators' commitment to providing a well-rounded education for their students.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our visit was collaborating with our fellow visiting teachers. They were not only prepared to teach but also collected a wealth of authentic materials for us to bring back to New Zealand. These resources will enhance our teaching practices and provide our students with a more immersive language learning experience. Beyond professional development, we formed lasting friendships with our ‘classmates.’ We shared experiences and challenges, learning together as a cohesive group of ten visiting teachers. This collaborative environment fostered a sense of community and support, making the experience even more enriching.
Apart from the academic highlights, our time in Beijing was filled with memorable cultural experiences. Dining in the university canteen offered a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine, which was both delicious and eye-opening. Visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City was truly awe-inspiring. These iconic landmarks not only showcased the rich history and culture of China but also provided us with a deeper appreciation of the country’s heritage.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Tui Tuia Learning Circle and Center for Language Education and Cooperation for sponsoring this incredible opportunity. Your support has enriched our professional lives and opened new doors for our students. We look forward to sharing the knowledge and experiences we gained with our schools and communities.
24 Solar Terms
Written by Fiona Yen, Facilitator, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle Facilitator.
The Year of the Snake symbolises wisdom, transformation, and resilience. In Chinese culture, the snake represents deep thinking and adaptability—qualities that reflect the natural cycles of change. Just as a snake sheds its skin for new growth, the changing seasons bring renewal, guided by the 24 Solar Terms (二十四节气, èr shí sì jié qì) in the traditional Chinese calendar.
Recognised as one of China’s great inventions, the 24 Solar Terms were originally based on the movement of the Big Dipper’s (北斗七星, běi dǒu qī xīng) handle in the night sky. These terms helped people track seasonal changes, guiding agriculture and daily life for centuries.
Since we’ve just celebrated Chinese New Year, it’s the perfect time to explore the six solar terms of spring: 立春 (lì chūn) – Beginning of Spring: Marks the start of the season and symbolises new beginnings. 雨水 (yǔ shuǐ) – Rain Water: Brings increased rainfall, essential for agriculture. 惊蛰 (jīng zhé) – Awakening of Insects: Warmer weather rouses insects from hibernation. 春分 (chūn fēn) – Spring Equinox: Day and night become equal, a time of balance. 清明 (qīng míng) – Pure Brightness: A period for honouring ancestors and enjoying nature. 谷雨 (gǔ yǔ) – Grain Rain: The last spring term, indicating ideal conditions for crop growth.
Among them, 立春 (lì chūn) – Beginning of Spring is especially important, marking the official start of the new year. This is why Chinese New Year is also called 春节 (chūn jié) – Spring Festival. A well-known Chinese proverb reflects the season’s significance:
一年之计在于春 (yì nián zhī jì zài yú chūn) "The key to a successful year lies in spring."
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