Japanese Sister School Visit

From the 23rd to the 31st of July, Dandenong High School proudly welcomed students from Sakuyakonohana High School. With the generous support of students who volunteered as host families, this exchange became a truly enriching experience for everyone involved.

On the first day, the Japanese students were given a tour of the school and later met their host families. Many of our host students expressed how rewarding it was to learn about Japanese culture and form meaningful connections with their guests.

On the second day, we held a warm Welcome Assembly, where students from both schools celebrated the beginning of this exchange through cultural presentations and shared commitments. The Japanese students then joined our classes, experiencing Australian culture, baking ANZAC biscuits in cooking class and trying AFL during PE.

Day 3 marked the first excursion to Gumbuya World, where students explored Australian native plants and animals.

Day 5 was a city adventure, starting with a visit to the Queen Victoria Market in the morning and concluding with an exciting AFL match in the afternoon.

The final excursion was another city trip, this time to the State Library and several exhibitions, where students learned more about Australia’s rich history.

On the last day, the Japanese students hosted a friendly volleyball game, followed by a barbecue organised by Dandenong High School’s staff and students. It was the perfect way to celebrate a successful exchange.

We concluded the program with a heartfelt Farewell Assembly, featuring a performance by our school choir, thoughtful speeches, and plenty of time for final conversations and goodbyes.

This exchange program was a wonderful celebration of cultural understanding and friendship at Dandenong High School. We sincerely thank Sakuyakunohana School for the joy, learning, and memories they shared with us. We look forward to many more opportunities to connect, grow, and continue this valued exchange program in the years to come.

Students have mentioned:

I enjoyed talking with my friends in Australia.

I think it was a very exciting and good experience for me to be exposed to native English.

Also, Japan is a country of hospitality, so I thought hospitality would be second to none, but I was surprised that most Australian children have more hospitality than Japanese people!

Another student mentioned:

Hi, I want to go back to Australia.

I enjoyed everything in Australia!

The day we spent all day with the host buddy was what I enjoyed the most. We went to karaoke with Buddy and Buddy’s friends. The time I spent in Australia is my treasure and my motivation to study English.

Nahian N

Year 12 Grevillea