ORIENTAL dancing and traditional calligraphy were just some of the skills pupils at a Canvey school learnt as part of their Chinese New Year celebrations.

Canvey Junior School held a host of activities for pupils to welcome in the Chinese Year of the Ox and teach them about the country’s culture.

Youngsters in Year 5 and 6 were taught how to write Chinese figures, while Years 3 and 4 learnt a traditional dance with flowers and ribbons.

All pupils helped to make lanterns and other decorations for the school’s reception area and tried using chopsticks to tuck in to some Chinese cuisine.

Teacher Sally Pownsley who organised the week’s events, said: “It’s been a really good week.

“The children have had a fabulous time and they have learnt a lot, too.”