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Branksome Hall

Celebrating the Year of the Wood Snake

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A group of children and adults in bright pink, blue, and red traditional Chinese opera costumes pose together on a staircase, smiling for the camera. The costumes feature ornate headpieces and colorful patterns.
Junior School students from SK to Grade 5 showcased traditional dances.

Branksome’s halls were filled with good luck and fortune on January 29, 2025 when the school hosted its Lunar New Year celebrations in the Athletics and Wellness Centre. It was a day to remember, with crafts and activities for families, mesmerizing performances by students and a delicious dinner of traditional foods to ring in the year of the Wood Snake.

Families arrived at the Athletics and Wellness Centre in the afternoon, many donning traditional dress or vibrant red and gold clothing to mark the occasion. The celebrations began with a wide selection of cultural activities and entertainment, including a traditional Chinese tea service, where volunteers guided guests through the art of steeping and serving fragrant teas, a practice deeply rooted in respect, patience and mindfulness.

Attendees also had the opportunity to express their wishes for the new year at the calligraphy station, where they drew characters, phrases and pictures with brushes and black ink. Meanwhile, the sugar painting station captivated young and old alike, as skilled artists crafted intricate lollipops in the shapes of snakes, rabbits, fish and more.

Four young women dressed in traditional Chinese attire stand on a red carpet, each holding large red and white calligraphy banners with Chinese characters. Red curtains and decorations are visible in the background.
Students hold up handwritten Chinese caligraphy.
A woman in a red dress holds a pole with greens and red envelopes as two vibrant lion dance costumes—one red, one yellow—approach her on a red carpet, with a presentation about lion dance visible on a screen in the background.
Principal Grace McCallum participates in the lion dance.
A woman smiles as she hands a sugar sculpture on a stick to a child across a table decorated with dragon-shaped sugar art. Several people, including children, stand around the table in a festive indoor setting.
Skilled artists create delicious lollipops at the sugar painting station.

Bridging Generations, a multimedia project exploring first- and second-generation Chinese-Canadian immigrant identities, also had a booth at the event. Spearheaded by Grade 12 student Katherine, the booth promoted documentaries, ’zines and other artistic expressions, providing a timely and meaningful reflection on the experiences of many families throughout Canada.

As the evening progressed, adults made their way to the Dining Hall for a feast and entertainment. The event was emceed by Student Government Prefect Helen. The dinner opened with remarks from Principal Grace McCallum, who greeted the crowd in Mandarin and noted, "It’s great to be here with this warm and inclusive Branksome community. This celebration brings back a little bit of my time in China, which is so wonderful as I spent so many fantastic years in Beijing."

A smiling teenage girl in a school uniform sings into a microphone while two other students play keyboard and guitar in the background, all wearing matching green blazers and plaid skirts.
The student band, 'Mr. Munchkins Man' makes their Branksome debut.
Four people, including a young girl in traditional clothing, pose together at a tea ceremony table. The backdrop features a decorative screen with red flowers and branches. Tea cups and a pot are on the table in front of them.
Volunteers pose for a photo at the tea station.

Following opening remarks, guests ate dinner—a delectable fusion of Asian cuisines that brought together the flavours of China, Japan, Vietnam and beyond. As guests savoured the food, lion dancers graced the floor, weaving through the crowd with vibrant energy, entertaining attendees with their spectacular performance.

The entertainment continued with several live music and dance performances including The Grade 11 band, Mr. Munchkins Man, featuring Danielle, Gracie, Rachael and Saturn, making their Branksome debut and a Peking Opera performance. Junior School students from SK to Grade 5 showcased traditional dances and Senior and Middle School students presented vocal performances.

A group of six adults, including a person dressed as the Chinese God of Wealth, smile and hold red envelopes at a festive indoor gathering. Wine glasses and plates are on the table in front of them.
Guests hold up lucky envelopes after dinner.
Three people smile and hold red banners with Chinese calligraphy, celebrating indoors. One man wears a red patterned shirt, another wears a blue sweater, and a woman wears a red cheongsam. The setting appears festive and joyful.
Parents show off their handwritten signs from the calligraphy station.

The evening concluded with a raffle and closing remarks from Susan Austin, the Branksome Hall Parents’ Association Parent Socials Lead. “I would like to extend a heartfelt acknowledgement to all of our guests this evening who celebrate or may not themselves celebrate Lunar New Year, but who have joined us as friends of parents, or daughters who join us simply out of a genuine interest in learning more about this vibrant community. Your presence tonight embodies the spirit of Branksome parents, showcasing our commitment to being an open, welcoming and internationally-minded school.”

With a shared sense of joy and unity, the community has ushered in the year of the Wood Snake. A big thank you to our parent and student volunteers for making this night so special. Branksome Hall wishes everyone a Happy Lunar New Year! 新年快乐!

Address

Branksome Hall
10 Elm Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada
M4W 1N4

Contact

1-416-920-9741
admissions@branksome.on.ca

Land Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge this land on which Branksome operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Wendat, the Seneca and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and go to school on this land.*


*The Land Acknowledgement may evolve as we honour our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Indigenous communities.

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