Elementary school students post for a group photo to celebrate lunar new year. Approximately 50 Australian elementary school students from the elite Mosman Preparatory School began to celebrate the Year of the Monkey in Sydney on Feb 3. [Photo provided to Chinaculture.org]

"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.