b'Students welcome in Year of the RatStudents recently marked the start to the Year of the Rat in a traditional Chinese New Year celebration organised by the Colleges teacher of Chinese, Lucy Ding.Two types of lucky dumplings were freshly prepared in St Oswalds - one of the Sixth Form boarding house kitchens and enjoyed by all visitors. These classic Chinese New year delicacies have a history of more than 1,800 years, and the dumplings Jioziare traditionally eaten on Chinese New Years Eve. Ms Dings students also enjoyed giving calligraphy lessons to their British and international friends, with plenty of wishes of(fu) (blessing; happiness;good luck and good fortune) being exchanged.A Level student Anton Versele, who was invited to the celebrations, said: I received a warm welcome and enjoyedseeing how my name is written in Chinese characters. GCSE student Nancy Chen, who hails from the port city ofDalian on the Liaodong Peninsula, said: Thanks to the Chinese New Year celebrations organised by Ms Ding, I felt very much at home in Ellesmere on this important day in the Chinese calendar. Although I could not travel home for the celebrations, I enjoyed seeing in the Year of the Rat surrounded by fellow students and teachers. I think we reallybrought the spirit of Chinese New Year to Ellesmere.Ellesmere students celebratePolish Independence at EmbassyA recent visit to the Polish Embassy in London marked the end of a prestigious project conducted by Ellesmere College students into Polish culture, Polish traditions and the contributions to British life made by members of Polish heritage.Initiated as part of a series of events and celebrations to mark the centennial of Poland regaining its independence in 1918, one aspect of the project explored the history of Polish migration to the UK. Before embarking on their trip to London, students had visited the local village of Penley. Here, retired Ellesmere College colleague Debra Joynson-Brooke and her husband Frank showed them around the site of the former U.S. military hospital that, once given to the Polish communityin 1946, was home to some 2,000 patients and staff but closed in 2002.On the trip to London, Year 13 IB student Iwo Hachulski and Year 11 studentKit Lewers were chosen to present the finding of the Ellesmere research group during a formal reception to diplomats and invited guests at the Polish Embassyin Marylebone. For Iwo and Kit, who are both planning careers in diplomacy,this was an excellent opportunity to make valuable contacts. Iwo said: Kit and I enjoyed disseminating our research to embassy staff and invited guests including students from other UK schools. The contribution made by the Polish populationin the UK is extraordinary and was celebrated at this event.Project Facilitator Melody Reynolds added: We were proud to be involvedin such a memorable and significant project and hope other students atEllesmere College will follow Iwos and Kits lead and become involved insimilar cultural projects in the future.Ellesmere College Newsletter Lent Term 202015'