2025 year of snake Chinese New Year celebration

Richmond’s Little Panda Mandarin and Drama club welcome the year of the snake 蛇. 

On Sunday 9th Feb a wonderful gala performance, by the little Panda mandarin and drama students, included a Chinese dragon, Lion dance, Mandarin songs, poetry and performances of scenes and speeches of Shakespeare’s most snake like and villainous characters.  

A special highlight was dancer Jilan Dong, nominated for the Emerging Dancer Award at the UK's National Dance Awards in 2019, performing one of her acclaimed solo dance pieces. 

This annual event was attended by the Chinese Embassy culture minister Mr Li li Yan ,Green Party Cllr Niki Crookdake and local actress Jane Horrocks.

The celebrations were hosted by Head of Little Panda school Xiaoyu Shi and local actor and co-head Max Gold. 

The charming mixture of performers ranged from the younger children, coming from local school’s such as Tower House and Sheen mount and older students who have been members of the club for more than 10 years

The climax of the event was an audience quiz, of ‘Snake’s in Shakespeare,’ which was led by Tiffin’s school student and long term Little Panda actor, James Lloyd-Thomas, followed by a rendition of a happy new year song, performed in mandarin by the younger children, dressed as the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.

The delightful performance was followed by a Raffle with prizes genreously donated by local businesses. Special thanks go to Lady Gui Fang Deng ‘ ,China UK culture exchange & international women’s association. 

Many guests staid on to socialise over a delicious Chinese banquet.

We look forward to Little Panda school bringing in the year of the Horse in 2026.

Richmond’s Little Panda Mandarin and Drama club welcome the year of the dragon. 

On Sunday 11th Feb Children from the East Sheen l little Panda Mandarin and drama club club took part in an exciting performance packed with dancing dragons, drama, song and poetry. 

This annual event was attended by Deputy Mayor Cllr Sacks who warmly addressed the audience and local MP Sarah Onlney . The event was hosted by Head of Little Panda school Xiaoyu Shi and local actor and co-head Max Gold. 

The charming mixture of performers ranged from the younger children, coming from local school’s such as Tower House and Sheen mount and older students who have been members of the club for 10 years. As the host mentioned, these talented older performers could perhaps now be  described as ‘Giant Pandas’ rather than ‘Little ones’. One of the highlights of the show was the performance of a short play about a Chinese Olympic high jumper who is inspired by the flight of the dragon. The climax of the performance was a rendition  of a happy new year song performed in mandarin by the younger children, dressed in sparkling costumes which matched their their glowing faces. 

The delightful performance was followed by a Raffle with prizes genreously donated by local business. Many guests staid on for a delicious Chinese banquet.

We look forward to Little Panda school bringing in the year of the Snake in 2025. 

The raffle prizes  vouchers from The Hare and Hounds,  Oh Darling ,Athena beauty salon,Acupuncture, Christain Dior book.  and 2 or 3 Hampers  from Cheryl Wicks and parents etc. Thanks you!

On Sunday 5th Feb, children from East Sheen’s Little Panda Mandarin Language and Drama club celebrated the Chinese New year of the Rabbit live on stage, after three years of on line celebrations, with a charming gala performance at their new venue Tower House school. Around a hundred parents and local people attended this colorful occasion. The event started with the young people performing Dragon and Lion dances followed by singing and speaking in impressive mandarin language. 

Brightly coloured silk costumes added spectacle to the proceedings and were complemented by the performers joyful enthusiasm. 

A group of older, Little Panda students, some of whom had been with the Sunday club for eight years, performed a short play. Their acting was extremely impressive. Little Panda club hope to create a new drama class for younger children from the local community soon.

Children from the Little Panda Mandarin after school club at Sheen mount school joined the occasion, which was hosted by principle of Little Panda Xiaoyu Shi and local actor and the head of drama Max Gold.

Thanks the support from China UK Minorities Culture Exchange &International Woman Association ,Brixton Youth theatre 🎭, DVLA ，Orchid Blossom Arts etc. 

Little Panda Mandarin and Arts Summer Camp 22nd-26th August 

Through song, dance, games and fun activities the young people  have spent the week developing skills in Mandarin speaking ,listening, reading and writing(calligraphy).

In addition to Mandarin the children have developed their confidence and communication skills through drama games led by a local professional actor.

Creative art activities,led by a local professional artist, will be part of each day.  

we had a very successful  summer camp this year .Students have been terrific and all participated with great spirit in the various activities. We look forward to more Mandarin and Arts holiday camps in the coming year😃 

By the way, please sign Little Panda Mandarin school Autumn Sunday classes for the Autumn term.  meanwhile, submitted some of their paintings for Children's Art Online Competition “Beautiful China and Britain" —— Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-UK Ambassadorial Diplomatic Relations 

Dear all,
     Hope you had a lovely Christmas and new year ! Our spring term will start on 9th January 2022. the last session will be on 27th March. 
  Sunday school will have four classes : Mandarin beginners and Drama  intermediate 11:30am-12:30,   Mandarin  intermediate and Drama for beginners 10:30am-11:30am ,       GCSE,GCE,PRE U, HSK  courses will start on 8th January  2022.
Adults Lessons:
 Adults lessons will start on 15th January , the course will lead to getting a BCT certificate (Business Chinese Test) or HSK speaking certificate, the adult lessons can be done face to face on Sundays or on line by arrangement.Business Chinese Test (BCT) is a state-level standardised test designed to assess the Chinese proficiency of non-native speakers engaged in business activities. The BCT was developed by Peking University under the supervision of the Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban).

All the best,
Little Panda Mandarin and Drama