Languages News 

Chosei High School Visit

On Friday 18 August, Nossal and Chosei High school's (Nossal's sister school) annual exchange program was able to commence after 4 years off! 18 students, 2 teachers and Chosei's School Principal came from Chiba, Japan to Melbourne where they stayed for one week with host families from Nossal's Japanese Language Cohort. This was a very good experience for both host and exchange students and has become a memory that everyone will remember hopefully for a lifetime.

After weeks of exchanging emails, the host students and exchange students were finally able to meet! During the weekend, host families and exchange students were free to spend the time however they wished. Many exchange-host student pairs went out with friends to do memorable activities such as bowling, ice skating, Healesville Sanctuary or exploring the University of Melbourne’s campus open day.

The school week was also packed with activities, what a busy and exciting week! On Monday, the exchange students were introduced to the school and its students through getting-to-know-you activities hosted by Kamimura Sensei, Nossal’s Japanese Co-ordinator. The activities were social and fun, allowing students to engage with both languages.

In period 3, Chosei students were hosted by the Units 1/2 Japanese class. Students shared Australian food, such as Vegemite on toast, Tim Tams, Shapes, homemade honey Joys, and Lamingtons. The group played a game where they had to guess Australian and Japanese items without using the actual words.

Later in period 4, Nossal’s VCE Business Management teacher, Mr. Sacco, organised an Australian trivia quiz for the Chosei students. They learned about Australian animals, places, and celebrities in a fun atmosphere. For the rest of the periods, the exchange students participated in classroom activities and accompanied their host students to their various classes. 

The Welcome Assembly during Monday’s final period was conducted smoothly under the organisation of year twelve Japanese students, Rakeah and Silas. Nossal’s principal, Ms Mackin, and Chosei’s principal, Mr Kōno, both delivered heartfelt speeches about the significance of intercultural exchanges and how much both schools appreciate this opportunity.

After the speeches, there were dazzling performances from Nossal’s renowned K-pop and Bollywood dance clubs, and Nossal also received some interesting tidbits about Japanese school-life or culture presented in English by each Chosei student. Units 1/2 Japanese students were also able to join the Chosei students in performing a cover of the sensational J-pop song, Fireworks. 

During the rest of the week, excursions to various attractions such as the Dandenong Market, Wilsons Botanic Garden, St Paul’s Cathedral, State Library of Victoria, and Cook’s Cottage were planned for both exchange students and Nossal students to experience. 

These excursions allowed both exchange and host students to see Melbourne for its diverse multiculturalism, typical Australian fauna, and important historical events. Even as locals, seeing our city through the eyes of a tourist helped to engage host students with Melbourne’s unique culture more deeply, and the visitor Chosei exchange students had many eye-opening experiences too.

On Friday 25, which was the last full day of the exchange, Chosei students and teachers learned how to cook damper and kangaroo burgers with our Food teacher, Ms. Bhola. Chosei students were able to explore both the language and ingredients commonly used in the context of Australian kitchens.

During the final period, there was a farewell party. Family and friends of host students were invited to Nossal for this capstone moment of the exchange program. The Chosei students prepared a performance of traditional Japanese dance called ‘Sōran Bushi.’ Nossal were able to appreciate their performance and efforts into practicing it once during lunchtime, and for a second time at the farewell party. Speeches were exchanged, and Ms Mackin also attended to send our Chosei guests off with gratitude, thanks, and small gifts.

The 2023 Nossal and Chosei sister schools Japanese exchange program was an overwhelming success. It allowed us to experience unique aspects of each culture! Such as the classic Aussie backyard barbecue, or even attempting to understand and use the nuanced Japanese phrase “気まずい” correctly. Overall, it was an amazing opportunity to better understand the similarities and differences between Japan and Australia, which Nossal has been very appreciative of. In the future, this past week’s experiences will guide students in connecting with both Australian and Japanese culture, and has opened many opportunities for intercultural learning and friendships.

Sandra Gao - Year 12

Japanese Speech Contests August 2023

 Nossal students recently competed in two speech competitions. The first one was held in Hawthorn was run by the Japanese Language Teachers Association of Victoria. The following students represented Nossal High School: Wilbur Machado, Methasa Lokubatagodage and Alexander Wang from Years 9 and 10. I applaud them for speaking in front of an audience with challenging topics and such a high overall level competition against both public and private secondary schools. The second speech contest was the Frankston Susono Speech Competition.

Frankston Susono Speech Competition 

Frankston Susono Speech Competition 2023 was truly an unforgettable experience. We were to recite a self-introduction and set speech on the Japanese folktale of Jizo statues. The junior secondary "Years 7-8" division left me awe struck. Their fluency was so high ability that if I had not known better, I would have thought they were Japanese! Then I remembered Kamimura Sensei's words of belief and humility and it eased my nerves. When it was time for the Intermediate secondary section to begin, I once again felt a surge of tension as they announced that I would be the first to speak. I composed myself and tried to remember why I was there and that I had the believe to do well and my passion for Japanese culture, language and speech would help me perform to the best of my ability. Before I started, I told myself that I was just trying to give it my best shot as this was my first experience in front of a large audience. As a result of deep breathing and collecting my thoughts before going on stage, I managed to speak clearly and was awarded first place.

I would like to acknowledge the support of my teachers and friends. They sacrificed lunchtimes and time after school to practise together and were always really encouraging of me. Although Elina Chanana and Kimberly Ikin were some of my competitors, we worked together to do our best. In particular, I have always struggled with speaking too fast and slurring syllables together as a result, but with Kamimura Sensei's selfless hours spent and words of advice, I managed to find a perfect balance on the day. Elina and Kimberly also worked together as friendly rivals as we strived to do our very best and I am proud of how we all went. I hope we did Nossal proud! This inclusive nature of Nossal allowed myself to secure first place, Kimberly second place and Elina did her best, receiving a participation award.

My speech was about Kasa Jizo. Kasa Jizo is a Japanese folktale about a poor but kind old couple. I enjoyed the opportunity to share this rich cultural story and embraced the challenge by speaking in front of an audience and enjoying the extra-curricular opportunity that learning Japanese provides my fellow students and me.

Thank you Nossal and I look forward to furthering my knowledge of Japan and working collaboratively with the Japan Tour 2024 and my VCE studies from next year.

Rhitt Chakravarty - Year 9