From the LOTE Department

Celebrating the Spirit of Cultural Exchange 

School Visit from Nagoya, Japan

Last week our school hosted 19 students from across eight schools in Nagoya, Japan, come to visit BMGS. We have been eagerly waiting for this special moment for four years, since their last visit in 2019. This visit always is a highlight of the School calendar and embraces the spirit of cultural exchange.

During their stay, the Japanese students attended classes alongside BMGS students and experienced a style of classroom education that isn’t seen in Japan. It is always incredible to see how language barriers are overcome and students taking the opportunity to learn from each other.

One of the more memorable moments of their visit was when they visited the Elysian Rock lookout in Leura. Our guests were in awe of the beauty of the Blue Mountains and this, in turn, made our students realise how lucky they are to have such natural wonders in our backyard.

In their time here,  our Japanese guests shared some of their traditional activities with our students, like kendama (a skilful ball-and-cup game), origami (the art of folding paper into beautiful shapes), and calligraphy (the art of writing beautifully). Our students loved learning these new things, and it showed them how much fun it can be to explore other cultures.

On Thursday night there was a special thank-you dinner for our Japanese visitors and their host families. The evening was filled with laughs and a lot of happiness as our guests performed traditional crafts, music and a traditional Tea Ceremony. It was a lovely way to say thank you and to celebrate our  the links the families had forged over a short period of time.

I extend a big thank you to all the host families who warmly welcomed our Japanese friends into their homes. Your kindness and hospitality made their stay extra special, and we are grateful for you opening your homes so readily.  This is a testament to the graciousness that exists in our community

Our Japanese teacher, Mrs Yukie Evans also deserves a special mention for making this visit possible.   Her dedication to promoting cross-cultural understanding is greatly appreciated.

As a school, we look forward to 2024 for more opportunities to learn from each other and continue this journey of friendship and understanding with our sister schools in Japan.

Mr Tristan Forsyth

Head of Humanities and Cultural Studies Departments