Celebrating the Year of the Horse: Chinese New Year at St Augustine’s College

The recent Chinese New Year celebration at St Augustine’s College brought together international students, families and staff for an evening that reflected the strong sense of community at the heart of the College. As we welcomed the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, the gathering provided an opportunity to share traditions, celebrate culture and strengthen the connections that make our community so special.

In Chinese tradition, the Horse symbolises energy, resilience and determination - qualities that resonate strongly with the spirit of our students. The celebration reflected these values through an evening filled with music, conversation and shared experiences.

For many of our international families, the event represented far more than a cultural celebration. It was an opportunity to gather in a familiar tradition while also feeling part of the wider St Augustine’s community. The evening began with a collaborative effort between international parents and the College’s International Office, who worked together to decorate the space and create a festive atmosphere for all in attendance.

One of the highlights of the evening was the communal dinner, which offered a uniquely Australian welcome to our international guests. Members of the College Leadership Team stepped behind the barbecue to prepare a traditional charcoal BBQ for families and students. The relaxed setting allowed conversations to flow easily as families, staff and students connected across languages and cultures.

The celebration also showcased the impressive talents within the College’s international student community. Students from a range of year levels contributed musical performances featuring instruments such as violin, keyboard and guitar, along with vocal performances that entertained guests throughout the evening. Creative expression was also on display through a live drawing performance, while several students shared reflections on the significance of the celebration.

The evening included a welcome from Principal, Mr Byrne, who spoke about the importance of cultural connection within the College community. A particularly meaningful moment followed with the distribution of traditional red envelopes, known as hongbao. These envelopes symbolise happiness, prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead, and their presentation to international students was warmly received by families and students alike.

The evening concluded with an address from Mr Shen, representing the family of a current Year 8 student. A long-standing member of the St Augustine’s College community, Mr Shen reflected on his family’s experience at the College and spoke warmly about the supportive and welcoming environment his sons have experienced during their time at St Augustine’s.

Throughout the evening, student leaders played an important role as cultural ambassadors. By using translation apps to engage in bilingual conversations, they helped ensure that language was never a barrier to connection, allowing families and staff to share stories and experiences with ease.

International Student Prefect Pak Lam Z. (Year 12) captured the spirit of the evening in his reflection:

“As one of the participants in the Chinese New Year celebration hosted by the College recently, I felt boundless warmth, cultural recognition, and love from the St Augustine’s College community. This annual celebration is more than a school activity for international students - it makes us feel part of a large family where everyone belongs.”

As the College community looks ahead to the Year of the Horse, the celebration served as a reminder that the strength of St Augustine’s lies in the people who make up its community. Through shared traditions, welcoming hospitality and genuine connection, events such as these continue to ensure that every student and family feels at home.