Aussie lunar New Year celebrations starts with school kids a

SYDNEY, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Australian lunar new year celebrations are picking up pace as returning school students attend cultural centers in an effort to learn about China's lunar traditions.

Though official celebrations are due to kick off with the beat of drums on top of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday evening, the city's China Cultural Center has opened its doors for locals to get ready to celebrate the Year of the Monkey.

Approximately 50 Australian elementary school students from the elite Mosman Preparatory School began to celebrate the Year of the Monkey in Sydney on Wednesday, donning traditional dress and creating art works as they learned about Chinese culture.

"In our school, we teach the Mandarin language and culture from kindergarten through to (grade) six, five-year-olds to twelve-year-olds," Mosman Preparatory School deputy head master Greg McDonald told Xinhua.

Mosman Preparatory has been teaching Mandarin language courses for over three years to enable their students to have a greater understanding of Australia's largest trading partner as the economic and social relationship strengthens.

"To have some sort of understanding of China and its language in particular should be an asset to every boy and girl growing up," McDonald said.

The cultural center is expecting a further 200 school students throughout February to experience and share in the traditions and festive ambience of the lunar new year.