Languages
In the September holidays, 22 students and 3 staff enjoyed a 14-day tour of Japan including visits to Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Osaka. This year, the students were also able to experience Japanese school life up close, spending 4 days at our sister school, Reitaku Mizunami, in Gifu prefecture.
In Tokyo, students were able to enjoy Disneyland and Teamlab Planets as well as visit famous areas including Asakusa, Odaiba, Shibuya and Harajuku. Hiroshima’s highlights included a visit to Miyajima Island where we saw the famous torii gate in the water, made momiji manju treats and pat some deer. The group also visited the Peace Park and Museum and were reminded of the importance of peace in the world. In Kyoto we were given a real taste of Japan’s traditions and history as we participated in a tea ceremony with a Maiko and saw various temples and shrines including Kinkakuji (golden temple), Kiyomizudera and Nijo Castle.
While at our sister school the highlight was the “undoukai” – Sports Carnival. Our students had a blast taking part in different sports such as tug-o-war, skipping, the centipede race and more. SJPC was also the winner of the Junior High school section for the ball-toss game, throwing more than 40 balls into a net in the allotted time.
Here is what some of the students thought of their trip:
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My favourite part was spending four days at our sister school. Everyone was so friendly. I made many new friends and became close with the girls in my dorm. The best experience I had was participating in their school athletics carnival. It was great to see the differences in how our school hosts the carnival compared to how they do it. Spending time at the school was so fun, I didn't want to leave. |
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The Japan trip was such an amazing experience. I created so many memories and friendships with everyone and I learned so much about Japanese culture, explored beautiful temples, shrines and famous places. I’m so grateful that I got to experience Japan with my favourite people; this was a trip I’ll never forget. |
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Going to Japan was a great opportunity to advance my Japanese skills. The best experience I had was meeting new people both from SJPC and Reitaku. My hardest experience from this trip was trying to communicate to the other Japanese students using my Japanese skills. The relationships and memories made from this trip are ones that I’ll hold onto for my entire life. |
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Going to Japan was a really cool experience as someone who selected Japanese as an elective. I met a heap of nice people at our sister school and got to see Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Dontonbori in Osaka. It was such a fun trip, I got to practise my Japanese language skills, hang out with amazing people as well as meeting new people and seeing things I’ll never forget. |
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This trip was so much fun. I made so many memories with old and new friends that I will never forget! |
