Language News
Frankston-Susono Friendship Association Japanese Speech Contest
On September 6th Mornington Secondary College joined the FSFA Japanese Speech Contest at Monash University, Peninsula Campus. Our students were required to tell the audience the story of The Grateful Crane in Japanese. We had three students represent us on the night. In the Year 7 and 8 division: both Tom Hodsdon and Eden Parry from Year 8; and, in the Year 9 and 10 division: Amelie Rhoden from Year 9. Despite none of our students placing on the night, all students performed well and Amelie Rhoden was awarded the Special Consideration award for her division. Congratulations and minasan, yoku gambarimashita (great effort, everyone)!
Japanese Study Tour
In September this year, 18 students from Mornington Secondary College participated in a cultural and language exchange program to Japan.
Students met for several weeks prior to the trip to practice their Japanese conversation, as well as gain important cultural understanding. Also they practiced using chopsticks!
On 14th September the 18 students, together with Linda Stanton, Graham Howgate and Mel Brindle left for the city of Osaka.
Students were warmly welcomed by their host families.
During their stay students got to experience daily life in Japan and attend school with their host brother or sister. Each MSC student was placed in a different Junior High School, and many performed their Japanese self-introduction at whole school assemblies!
Students also travelled as a group and went on excursions to Osaka Castle and the Osaka Historical Museum. They travelled on the shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Hiroshima, where they visited the Peace Memorial Park, and the Genbaku Dome building. Students enjoyed a stay overnight in Hiroshima, and caught a ferry to the beautiful island of Miyajima.
After returning to Osaka by bullet train, students were reunited with their Japanese host families, and enjoyed spending time with them during national holidays, and attending more days of school.
They had a wonderful day at Universal Studios theme park, and went to Osaka City Hall to pay a courtesy visit to the mayor.
It was hard to say goodbye at the Sayoonara Party, and it was easy to see that strong friendships had been formed.
We hope all of the students had a fantastic time, and we are very proud of them all. They were wonderful ambassadors of our country and our school.
Thank you also to Linda Stanton and Graham Howgate for the wonderful support leading up to, and during the program.