Visitors from Japan

On Tuesday 16 August Durack School hosted 14 middle school students from Japan. The students were on a 2 week exchange program with Palmerston Senior College and accompanied by teacher, Tomoko Kumanogo (Shirama Middle School) and Yasuo Miyachi (Board Of Education, Aridagawa). This provided an excellent opportunity for our students to develop relationships and to practise their Japanese and ind out more about Japanese culture

The visitors participated in a number of fun activities with Durack Year 5 and 6 students which included Calligraphy, French cricket, learning a Traditional Japanese Dance, learning about traditional dreamtime stories, and having a hands- on experience with a couple of Australian animals. Patting the wallaby was definitely more popular than patting the pet python!

After a share lunch they had fun with the extension group with origami and form of sumo wrestling!At recess and lunch time they were mobbed by our younger students who were very keen to try out a few Japanese words! The visitors thought our younger students were ‘very cute’.

The visitors really enjoyed the day and were very positive in their feedback.

Thank you to Cathy Sensei, Reiko Sensei and the Year 5/6 team for organising the activities and to Palmerston Middle for involving Durack School in this program. We are hoping that this will be an annual event as it enhances the Japanese program at our school.