Around the classrooms

Setsubun

Year 7 Japanese classes were able to experience a small taste of the Setsubun celebrations in early February. The students explored the reasons behind this cultural event and learnt why it’s a favourite among Japanese children. To celebrate and ensure good luck for the upcoming year, the Year 7s ate some roasted soybeans (one soybean for each year of their life plus one extra bean for more good luck!). The year 8s, donned with an ‘oni’ masks, appeared at the classroom window surprising the year 7s. But the year 7s knew exactly what they needed to do to ward off the oni - throw beans at them while yelling ‘oni wa soto!’ (demons get out!)

Ema boards

Year 7, 8 and  9 Japanese classes started their 2021 year by producing their very own unique ‘ema’. 

Ema (絵馬) boards are small wooden plaques adorned with art and inscribed with the wishes we would like fulfilled this year. As 2021 is the Year of the Ox, our cute artwork involved the ox or cow, and the personal wishes included 'happiness', 'success at school', 'establishing friendships' and a 'COVID-19 free year'. The emas are now proudly displayed in our classrooms ready for good fortune and good luck to come our way.

Petra Witt

 Japanese teacher