There are guidelines now in place in many schools to discourage parents removing their children unnecessarily (apart from illness) during term-time – in some places for example, you even risk a daily fine for taking your child out of school without permission!

So it pays to be savvy about when your child is meant to be in school.

October Mid-Term: Monday 3oth October to Friday3rd November 2023 inclusive

Christmas Holidays: All schools from Friday 22nd December 2023, reopening Monday 8th January 2024.

February Mid-Term: Secondary schools close Monday 12th February to Friday 16th February 2024 inclusive (some may close on Wednesday 14th February if contingency days are needed). Primary schools close Thursday 15th February and Friday 16th February 2024 (may extend to 5 day break).

St Patrick’s Day: Friday 15th or Monday 18th March 2024

Easter Holidays: All schools will close on Friday 22nd March 2024, re-opening Monday 8th April 2024. (Some schools who need to make up contingency days, may remain open until Wednesday March 27th 2024)

May Bank Holiday: Monday 6th May 2024

June Bank Holiday: Monday 3rd June 2024

The Department of Education website has all the details.

Dates may vary by area.

Start of New School Year: Monday 4th September 2023

Autumn/October Mid-Term: Monday 16th October to Friday 27th October 2023 inclusive

Christmas Holidays: Monday 18th December 2023, reopening Monday 8th January 2024

Spring Half-Term/February Mid-Term: Monday 12th February to Friday 16th February 2024 inclusive

Spring/Easter Holidays: Monday 25th March to Friday 12th April 2024 inclusive

May Bank Holidays: Monday 6th May 2023 and Monday 27th May 2024

Summer Half-Term: Monday 27th May to Friday 31st May 2024 inclusive

End of School Year: Schools close Friday 5th July 2024

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Dates may vary by area.

Start of New School Year: Friday 1st September 2023

Autumn/October Half-Term: Monday 3oth October to Friday 3rd November 2023 inclusive

Christmas Holidays: Friday 22nd December 2023, reopening Monday 8th January 2024

Spring/February Half-Term: Monday 12th to Friday 16th February 2024

Easter Holidays: Monday 25th March to Friday 5th April 2024 inclusive

May Bank Holidays: Monday 6th & Monday 27th May 2024

Summer Half-Term: Monday 27th May to Friday 31st May 2024 inclusive

End of School Year: Schools close Friday 19th July 2024

Dates may vary by area.

Start of School Year: Tuesday 22nd August 2023

September Weekend: Friday 22nd and Monday 25th September 2023

October Mid-Term: Monday 16th October 2023  to Friday 27th October 2023 inclusive (October Week)

In-Service Day (all schools): Friday 17th November 2023

Christmas Holidays: Friday 22d December 2023 – Tuesday 5th January 2024 inclusive

February Mid-Term: Monday 12th February – Wednesday 14th February 2024 inclusive (Includes 2 x in-service days)

Spring/Easter Holidays: Monday 1st April – Friday 12th April 2024 inclusive

May Bank Holiday: Monday 6th May 20234

In-Service Day (all schools): Tuesday 7th May 2023

End of School Year: Schools close Friday 5th July 2024

Dates vary by state and school district, but broadly speaking term and holiday dates this year are:

Start of School Year: Wednesday 6th September 2023

Thanksgiving Break: Thursday 23rd November and Friday 24th November 2023

Winter Break: Monday 25th December 2023 to Monday 1st January 2024 inclusive

Spring Break: Monday 15th April to Friday 19th April 2023 inclusive

End of School Year: Schools close Friday 21st  June 2024

Find out about the current year and next year’s term dates for Australia’s state and territory government schools.

If you live in another country and would like us to add your school dates, contact us and we’ll be happy to add them!

Schoolbooks.ie is Ireland’s leading, largest, and favorite school book store, offering over 1,600 primary schoolbook titles. Schools can find all the main publishers’ books as well as those from smaller publishers, ensuring a comprehensive selection to meet their curriculum needs.

This coupled with fast delivery, excellent customer service, most choice and the least hassle are just some of the reasons people love to shop with Schoolbooks.ie!

Get any help needed quickly and efficiently from the Schoolbooks.ie dedicated school customer team.

By purchasing primary school books from Schoolbooks.ie, schools can enjoy the convenience of a one-stop-shop.

You can find all the necessary textbooks and supplementary materials in a single place, simplifying the procurement process and saving valuable time and effort for school administrators.

Schoolbooks.ie offers a unique service of covering books with highly durable, removable, reusable, and recyclable clear covers.

This ensures that the books remain protected throughout the academic year, reducing the need for frequent replacements and saving schools money in the long run.

Schoolbooks.ie is conscious of environmental concerns and promotes sustainable practices. Their clear covers are not only durable but also recyclable, contributing to a greener approach to school supplies.

By choosing Schoolbooks.ie, schools align themselves with a company that values sustainability and encourages responsible consumption.

Sign up with your school email and roll number and through Schoolbooks.ie’s “Submit for Review” feature, schools can browse over 5,000 products and create their own carts.

A dedicated Schoolbooks.ie School Customer staff member will then review the order and provide a quote, ensuring the best value for the school’s budget. This helps schools make informed purchasing decisions and maximise their resources.

Once signed in, you can easily download current and past invoices, track orders and re-order seamlessly.

Payments can be made by bank transfer, credit/debit card, Paypal, Apple or Google Pay or by cheque

Each school has unique requirements, and Schoolbooks.ie understands this. They can work closely with schools to tailor their orders according to specific needs, accommodating different class sizes, subject preferences, and any other special requests the school may have.

This personalised approach enhances the overall experience for schools.

Schoolbooks.ie’s website offers a user-friendly platform.

Schools can easily navigate through the extensive catalog, search for specific titles or publishers, and access detailed information about each book. The intuitive interface makes the book selection and ordering process straightforward and hassle-free.

In addition to offering books from major publishers, Schoolbooks.ie also supports smaller publishers.

By purchasing from Schoolbooks.ie, schools contribute to the growth and sustainability of the local publishing industry, fostering diversity in educational resources.

The award winning Schoolbooks.ie have been serving Irish parents and schools since 2004.

They have a proven track record of providing reliable and efficient service to parents and schools across Ireland. They understand the importance of timely deliveries and strive to ensure that schools receive their orders before the new school year starts.

Scoring 4.9 on Google reviews, let them take the hassle out of ordering for your primary school free schoolbooks scheme.

First things first, pick a school bag that works for your child and the level they are at in school. Books are heavy and a well fitted school bag is important for posture and comfort.

Once you have the school bag sorted, decide on a lunch box and drinks bottle, bearing in mind what pocket space you have available.

I was always a last minute panic school bag packer! My Mum would nag me for weeks before I went back to school to get organised and now I find myself doing the same with my own children. I always seemed to manage to have my school books (thanks to my Mum), but beyond that it was a bit hit and miss!

So my advice would be that a few weeks in advance of returning to school, check you have all the school books on the booklist and get them packed into the school bag. Then you are ready to get onto the other essentials that are needed.

You can download this handy school bag essentials checklist to make back to school a little easier.

Stationery and Supplies:

1. Pens and pencils for writing
2. Colouring supplies
3. Pencil sharpener
4. Glue stick
5. Highlighters
6. Ruler
7. Eraser
8. Pencil Case
9. Folders for school notes
10. Notebooks and copybooks
11. Calculator
12. Homework journal

Hygiene Items:

1. Hand sanitiser
2. Tissues
3. Hairbrush/comb
4. Spare hair ties
5. Deodorant
6. Period products
7. Spare underwear
8. Sun cream

Clothing:

1. Rain gear
2. Gloves, hat, scarf, etc for cold weather
3. Sports wear for PE

Essentials:

1. Lunch box or lunch money
2. Water bottle
3. Medication (e.g. inhaler, epipen, etc)
4. Phone and charger
5. Money for transport
6. Emergency snack (just in case!)

Finally, be sure you have given up-to-date contact details to the school in case of an emergency.

Are you looking for the best lunch box for your kids? A lunch box that little fingers can open, yet doesn’t burst in a schoolbag by mid-morning? It’s not easy to find a balance between a practical lunch box that will hold the essentials, and one that won’t take up all the space in a school bag.

The lunch boxes below were the top-rated from our parent audience. We have put links to where you can buy these, NB we get a small commission if you buy through our Amazon links.

These stylish, colourful lunch boxes from Sistema come in a range of sizes with multi compartment options to keep food and snacks separated – something to suit everyone’s lunch needs and perfect if you would like to try these 13 Brilliant Bento Box ideas for Kids.

Key Features

• BPA and phthalate free
• Dishwasher, microwave, fridge and freezer safe
• Separate compartments keep food fresh and protected

“I bought Sistema ones in Home Store + More. They are easy to get into but the lid won’t come off on its own. The water bottles are great as they don’t leak.” – Lisa

Available from Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.com and from other retailers.

Smash lunch boxes and insulated bags and bottles come in a range of colours and designs, including this cute Owl lunch box/bag and bottle.

Key Features

• PVC free with a PEVA food safe lining that can be wiped clean
• Thermal insulation to keep food warm or cool
• Padded carry handle
• Panel on back to personalise

“We got a Smash one last year in Tesco and it lasted the whole year. Easy to clean as you can put it in the washing machine.” – Rachel

“Smash are great and BPA free” – Lynda

“Smash are amazing – we used them last year and have got new ones for this year. My sons have no problem opening them either.” – Samantha

“Our boy & girl both love Smash…funky and brilliant value” – Sandra

Smash lunch boxes are available from Amazon.co.uk, & other retailers.

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The dilemma of keeping food cold through the day is solved with these lunch boxes and bags from Packit. Just fold it up and put it in the freezer, no ice packs are needed to keep food chilled.

Key Features

• BPA free
• Foldable and freezable to act like a fridge on the go
• Keeps food and drink cold on the go
• Available in different sizes and styles

Available from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com and other retailers.

The Polar Gear ranger has Dual Compartment Lunch Coolers offering an ideal storage solution for both lunch and snacks, providing an insulated storage solution that is able to keep food and drinks cool. And Minions fans might enjoy this Minion-themed Polar Gear lunch cooler.

Key Features

• Dual compartment to keep foods separate
• Durable easy clean fabric
• Thick insulation for better cooling and protection
• Easy cleaning reflective lining
• Distinctive colour suitable for kids and adults
• Cooling effect for up to 3 hours

“I have the Polar Gear Little Ones lunch bag for my son. I got it when I went back to work – it took all his food and bottles for the day back then and we still use it now.” – Claire

“I like the Polar Gear cool bags as they have plenty of space. I bought the Sistema ones last year, but found the compartments very shallow so couldn’t fit the likes of an apple or yoghurt pot in them.” – Tara

Available in different colours and themes from Amazon.co.uk and other retailers.

Go green and pack a Yumbox for school, play and work for mess-free lunches every time. You can pack yoghurt or hummus next to crackers with no worries – Yumbox’s unique single lid seals all food wells individually. Food won’t touch or leak outside of the box. No plastic bags or tin foil! No cling film! No lost lids! No mess!

Key Features:

• Leak-proof single lid
• Portion control
• Green design
• Dishwasher and food safe
• Child friendly and easy to open
• BPA-free and phthalates-free

“It’s super ideal for kids who like choice as the little compartments allows for different food options without having to fuss about with different boxes and lids. It also lightweight, leak proof, airtight and most importantly dishwasher safe. We have six kids and all six of them have one, even the baby for days out and running errands.” – Kellie

Available from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Earthmother.ie and other retailers.

Bentgo Kids’ Lunch Boxes come in bright colours and are designed with kids in mind,  with compartments that are perfectly sized for kids. They also have drop-proof rubber-coated edges.

Key features:

• Leak-proof technology to avoid messy lunches
• 5 practical compartments portioned perfectly for a child’s appetite (recommended for ages 3-7).
• Durable, drop-proof and sturdy design
• 2 kid-friendly latches that are easy for small hands to open and close.

Available from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com and other retailers.

One final suggestion! One of our parents made a great suggestion of re-using their plastic takeaway boxes. We all have them lying around, but have you ever used them for lunches?

“My kids have cute lunch bags – Hello Kitty, Angry Birds, etc – but the actual lunch boxes are the boxes our Chinese takeaways come in! They are the perfect size, easy to open, dishwasher safe, and FREE!” – Lynda

The Jansport backpack collection are incredibly durable (my son’s has lasted for years!), comfortable and practical, and are always winners with parents and kids.

There’s a good range of colours available too, so there is sure to be one to suit everyone. And once they start to get a bit grubby, just pop into the washing machine and they’ll look as good as new again!

Key Features

• Lifetime warranty
• One large main compartment
• Front utility pocket with organiser keeps essentials handy
• Straight-cut padded shoulder strap
• 2/3 padded back panel for cushioning comfort
• Web haul loop

Available from Schoolbooks.ie & other retailers worldwide.

Available in a range of colours and designs, the St. Right school bags are all made of waterproof material. They are designed fit A4 books and folders and have ergonomically designed straps and handles.

Key Features

• Comfortable, adjustable straps and ergonomic back support
• Water-resistant material
• Sponge reinforced bottom of the backpack
• 4 chambers and 2 outer pockets.
• Reflective elements

Available from Schoolbooks.ie and other retailers worldwide

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The North Face have an extensive range of school bags and backpacks in a large array of colours and designs. They are made from durable materials and the Vault range has added features perfect for school.

Key Features

• Padded laptop sleeve within main compartment
• Front elastic bungee for external storage
• Internal organisation compartment with zipped and velcro pockets
• Sternum strap with whistle buckle
• Padded straps and top handle
• Reflective tabs

Available from Amazon.co.uk & other retailers worldwide.

Quiksilver’s 1969 range of rucksacks are durable and practical, due to the large number of compartments and zippered pockets. They come in a stylish range of muted colours, and will last your growing child’s needs for many years.

Key Features

• Ergonomic, padded, adjustable shoulder straps
• Laptop sleeve
• Two main zippered compartment
• 2 side zip pockets
• Zippered front pocket

Available from Amazon UK & other retailers worldwide.

If your child is a fan of Vans footwear, then they are going to love this ultra-cool backpack. It’s hard-wearing, long-lasting and has plenty of room for all the school essentials. It can also be used as a laptop bag. It comes in lots of different colours.

Key Features

• One large main compartment
• Laptop sleeve that fits most 15″ laptops
• Front zip pocket with organizer
• Padded shoulder straps
• Capacity: 22 Liters

Available on Amazon & Vans retailers worldwide.

The HEAD 17″ backpack comes with a laptop compartment and a fleece lined mobile device pocket – perfect for school, sleepovers and trips. It comes in a range of designs, perfect for all ages.

Key Features

• 2 outside pockets – mesh
• Comes with a reinforced handle and stiff, contoured sponge back
• Straps are padded sponge and are adjustable
• Backpack has an output for headphones and an organizer with a key ring in an outside pocket
• Backpack also has reflective elements

Available on Schoolbooks.ie & other retailers worldwide.

The high quality and durable Ridge 53 Backpack is multi-functioning, making it ideal as a schoolbag, laptop bag or rucksack.

It’s got oodles of compartments and a foam back for comfort. We particularly love it for its practical waterproof raincover, which is ingenious when caught out in a shower on the way home from school.

Key Features

• Foam back panel and shoulder straps for added comfort
• Zipped pockets on both sides
• Integrated waterproof raincover
• Reinforced easy lift top handle
• Interior organiser pockets
• Secure and durable zips
• Triple stitching at all stress points
• Available in a large selection of designs to suit all tastes

Available from Schoolbooks.ie & retailers worldwide.

Remember children pick up on our anxieties, so try and be relaxed about this new phase. Talk to them before they start and listen to and try to address any worries or concerns they may have. Also it is important to make time each day to have a chat about how their day went and you can fill them in on your day too.

Many secondary schools will assign your child a ‘buddy’ from an older class to help them get settled in. Remind them that everyone is in the same boat starting off, the school and the routine will be new to all the 1st year pupils regardless of whether they attended the feeder primary school or not.

Preparation is key to help your child with the transition from primary to secondary school. Try and have all the books from the book list on day one. And if your child’s school has a uniform, be sure they have everything they need for the first day too. They will be more relaxed knowing they are all prepared and ready to go.

Label everything! I am talking from experience, they will lose at least one item of their uniform each term or end up with someone else’s jumper/lunchbox/jacket/text book etc.

My other top tip when it comes to the uniform is to double up on the pants/skirt/jumper/t-shirts/socks if you can afford to. If items go missing or get damaged, it can be difficult to get replacements during the year. When my girls were still growing, I bought the next size up as my double up extras. That way, if I didn’t need them during that year, I had them ready for the next year.

A good sleep routine is vital for your child to be alert and actively learning each day. The school day is a big step up from what they are used to, not to mention the time needed for homework and study, including at the weekends.

They need some downtime to unwind before bed. Whether they enjoy reading, having a bath or watching a favourite TV program, they need to take the time to relax so they can get to sleep quickly. Children and teens of this age need at least 8-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Needless to say, devices should be off for at least 30 minutes (and ideally an hour) before they intend to sleep.

A good breakfast will provide them with the energy they need to face the day ahead. Low sugar, wholegrains, fruit and protein-packed breakfasts are best.

Lunch will also be different in secondary school. Your child may have access to a canteen and they will often be allowed to leave school during their lunch break giving them access to other shops or cafés where they can buy lunch.

For those that want to bring their lunch to school, a good lunch box and water bottle are essential. And check out these flasks which will keep soup, pasta or other healthy meals warm until lunch break.

If they go straight to study, pack a snack to have between school finishing and study beginning. And once they get home, sit together to eat so you can all catch up on how everyone’s day went.

The one thing I really wasn’t prepared for when my girls went into secondary school was the weight of their school bags. It is essential they get a sturdy bag that fits well and helps distribute the weight evenly.

If the school offers lockers, sign up for one. It will save them having to carry all their books to and from school each day. Remember to label each book. My girls usually pick a page within each book to write their name on. They use the same page number for all their books! That way if they go missing they can usually track them down.

Most children will receive homework in several subjects each night, so they will need to bring books home for this. A friend suggested that I buy a 2nd copy of some of the heavier text books, even a second hand copy, so they could have those at home and leave the other copy in school. We did it for a couple of subjects they regularly get homework in.

Another top tip is to place all the books and copies needed for a subject in a zipped wallet. That way they just reach into their locker or bag and they have everything together for that subject. Often there is not much time between going from one class to another, so being able to grab and go saves them searching around in bags and lockers for the relevant items.

For parents, the cost of the first year books can be daunting, but remember, in most cases those books will last until 3rd year and the booklist for 2nd and 3rd year is usually much reduced both in cost and items needed. Buy school books early to avail of discounts and to ensure stock as popular text books can be difficult to get as back to school time approaches.

Your child will need a dedicated place to study at home, preferably one without distractions! Stock up on stationery for school and home. From pens, pencils and highlighters to refill pads and notebooks, having everything at hand helps them get straight into work.

To make this space even better, get your child to help you design it by choosing a desk, chair and other items to personalise it.

Friends will play a much larger role in your teen’s life as they transition through secondary school and it can be a daunting prospect for them starting off, particularly if they aren’t attending secondary with their friends from primary. And although they may not realise it yet, the friends they make during this time will often be friends for life, so they need to choose wisely.

Every school has clubs, after school activities and groups that children can get involved in. They range from sports teams to debating, drama and much more. Encourage your child to sign up to some of these as it is a great way to meet like minded individuals and make new friends – and also a great opportunity to try something new that they may have an interest in.

The school website or app helps keep you up-to-date with school activities, holidays and other events. You can also view school policies, download forms for when your child may be absent, etc. Many schools also offer an online payment facility for things like insurance, school trips, etc.

In primary school the children would have received notes about days off and staff meetings well in advance, but that is not always the case in secondary school. Your child may know about upcoming staff meeting or days off or early finishes, but they don’t always remember to tell you! The school website or app is the place to go for all this information.

This is a new phase for all of you that will take a bit of time to get used to. From juggling deadlines and learning how to study to having more freedom and having to be more responsible and independent, there will be an adjustment period for you and your child.

Be sure they know that you are there to support them and hopefully it will all go smoothly.

Leaving Cert year is such a busy one for your teen what with all their classes, homework and then study and possibly grinds to get through, never mind their extra curricular activities.

If you are a first time LC parent then there are some key dates that are handy to know about. We’ve created a special one page printable calendar to keep you on track.

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Final year of school is definitely a busy year. When my teen first started doing her Leaving Certificate years, I didn’t have a clue about what to expect.

Junior Cert had been a fairly easy experience, a bit of stress and a bit of pressure but nothing like the final 2 years, I have to say.

So knowing all the major dates that are coming up is really helpful, from CAO applications to Mock exams to Orals.

You might also find these Leaving Cert and Exam resources useful:

When you’re parenting a teen and there are these new things that come along it can be a bit daunting to know how best to advise them.

Doing your college course applications is a big decision, but there’s time to change your mind. The online CAO Change of Mind deadline for 2023 is July 1st at 17.00.

For those students who are still unsure if they have made the correct course choices, this is an opportunity to look at alternatives they may not have considered.

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A survey carried out by Smartfutures found that 51% of college students said their parents influenced their decision making, and that they’d advised their son or daughter, based on what they thought would suit their personality.

So, for example, if a parent holds any stereotypes about science and maths themselves (“It’s too difficult!” or “it’s not really for girls”) this can be picked up on and limit a student’s perceptions about what to consider.

Especially important for those having CAO change of mind conversations!

Discuss options with your teen and keep an open mind. Try not to steer them in the direction you feel they should be taking. The last thing you want after all is for them to start a course then drop out because they just aren’t into it.

Some parents decide to use a career advisor to help with choices at this point too.

• 5th May (12pm): Online Change of Mind facility becomes available (Free)
• 1st July 2023 – CAO change of mind deadline.
• First week of July: Initial CAO offers (mature applicants and applicants who accepted and then deferred places in 2022) are made by post and online on CAO.ie and remain open for a week. Offers lapse if not accepted within a week.
• End of July: The SEC will complete the standardisation process on the assessed grades submitted by schools.
• TBC: Leaving Cert results. Once the results of the written papers become available in August, the SEC replaces assessed grades where the student secures a higher grade in a written paper. These combined results will then become the provisional results released to students by the SEC in mid-August.
• Mid to late August 2023: Grades go to schools, available through a secure online service at examinations.ie from noon. CAO releases Round One offers to candidates online. A week after the issuing of round one offers, the CAO will close off the option to accept that place. Within a few days the CAO releases Round Two offers to applicants.

Once you have picked your STEPS Engineers Week resources, the STEPS team ask that you register your activities and involvement here.

By registering you help the STEPS team to analyse the impact of STEPS Engineers Week on young people in Ireland and you gain exclusive access to a Digital Promotional Pack and Certificate of Participation for your class.

Take the Sustainable Engineering Challenge and match the ways engineers are helping achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This activity is best suited to primary school aged children and can be found here.

Children with autism are often visual learners, and this resource was created with this in mind. Muinteoir Valerie, offers a bright and engaging resource, focusing on repetition of key words associated with engineering, matching games, and activities based on developing vocabulary.

Access and register your activity here.

Avail of 15 hands-on activities for you to get involved this STEPS Engineers Week. You can carry out one or as many activities you like! Print and copy the activity page of your choice.

Activities are best suited for primary aged children, these resources, and more, can be accessed for free here.

The STEPS team ask that you register your chosen activity here.

STEPS Engineers Week has three primary school engineering shows that teachers can screen for students in classrooms.

Streaming from Monday 6th through to Friday 10th March 2023, teachers can book into a screening of a pre-recorded fun and educational show.

The shows can be viewed on any device that normally streams videos.

Register for the shows now.

Chuir STEPS liosta de ghníomhaíochtaí le chéile do spriocluchtanna i scoileanna agus seans ann gur mhaith leat iad a chur chun feidhme. Is féidir iad a fháil anseo.

STEPS has created a list of free engineering hands-on resources for teachers that are available in Irish. Please visit the Seachtain na nInnealtóirí section of the website for more information.

For further information on how to get involved in STEPS Engineers Week 2023 visit www.engineersireland.ie/Schools/Engineers-Week/

The Engineers Ireland STEPS programme, which promotes engineering and the importance of the profession to children in Ireland, is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and industry leaders Arup, the EPA, ESB, Intel and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

Legend has it that the Jade Emperor wanted 12 animals to stand guard over his palace. In a race to the palace to win the role, the strong and dependable Ox was expected to come first, but the resourceful Rat snuck in on the Ox’s back and took first place.

After the Ox, came the Tiger and Rabbit who were both fast and determined, followed by the Dragon and the Snake.

Next to finish the race were the Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. These 12 animals became the guardians of the Heavenly Gate, and were immortalised as the Chinese zodiac signs.

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The year of a person’s birth determines their Chinese zodiac sign, and the belief is that this determines their character, career, personality, fortune, relationships and fate.

Each zodiac animal has personality traits that have both advantages (e.g. strong, intelligent) and disadvantages (e.g. stubborn, impatient).

Personality traits: Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, considerate, stubborn

Year of the Rat: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032

Personality traits: Diligent, dependable, strong, determined, stubborn

Year of the Ox: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033

Personality traits: Confident, brave, loyal, trustworthy, arrogant

Year of the Tiger: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034

Personality traits: Gentle, elegant, considerate, responsible, timid

Year of the Rabbit: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035

Personality traits: Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic, energetic, short-tempered

Year of the Dragon: 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036

Personality traits: Enigmatic, intelligent, wise, determined, suspicious

Year of the Snake: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037

Personality traits: Easy-going, patient, steady, energetic, outspoken

Year of the Horse: 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038

Personality traits: Gentle, calm, sympathetic, considerate, timid

Year of the Goat: 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039

Personality traits: Intelligent, curious, sociable, enthusiastic, arrogant

Year of the Monkey: 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040

Personality traits: Capable, hardworking, brave, independent, impatient

Year of the Rooster: 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041

Personality traits: Brave, loyal, reliable, responsible, stubborn

Year of the Dog: 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042

Personality traits: Optimistic, compassionate, generous, diligent, short-tempered

Year of the Pig: 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043