Hello parents, guardians and carers!

Here at Ballarat High School, we are lucky to have so many wonderful opportunities to help our students learn and grow and the languages department is no exception. Learning a language helps young people learn about the world and other cultures, while learning how to communicate in foreign languages.

One of the key opportunities in this space is to have a native Japanese speaker come to the school for a year as an assistant Japanese language teacher. This is a valuable experience because it gives the students the chance to practice their language with the people who know it best and directly engage with the culture they are learning about.

Our Japanese ALTs are university age volunteers who leave their friends and family for a whole year to come and help us learn about their language and culture and we are seeking host families to help make their stay an amazing experience! Host families do not have to host for the entire year - the length of your hosting is determined by each family.

Our assistant for 2027 is Miss Yuzuki Sugano and she is 20 years old, described as friendly and outgoing. She is expected to arrive early February (around the 10th) and is very much looking forward to her time in Australia. Please see below for Yuzuki’s introduction.

If you are interested in hosting Yuzuki in 2027, even for a short time, please contact me at

danielle.maggi@education.vic.gov.au.

Danielle Maggi

ALT Co-ordinator

Introduction to Miss Yuzuki Sugano

I have a strong interest in Japanese culture and language. I have been practicing Japanese calligraphy for many years and I have also had some experience with tea ceremony, which introduced me to the idea of showing respect and care for others through manners and behavior. I am also interested in Japanese history and I enjoy learning about historical events and sharing what I learn in my own words. In addition, I enjoy seasonal traditions in Japan, such as summer festivals, where I wear a yukata and experience culture in a lively and enjoyable way.

I am interested in education and hope to become a teacher in the future. Through this program, I would like to experience education in Australia directly, not only as a learner but by observing real school life. I am especially interested in how teachers interact with students and how learning takes place in a different cultural environment.

Coming from a Catholic school background, I have experienced various school events and traditions, which helped me become interested in how culture and values are shared in different communities. I am very interested in experiencing Australian school life and communicating with local students in daily situations, learning through real interactions rather than theory.

I enjoy sweet foods and I was very impressed when I first tried a Tim Tam in Japan. I am looking forward to trying various Australian foods such as Tim Tams and Lamingtons and learning more about local food culture.

I try to stay positive and enjoy new experiences. While I am not very good at sports, I enjoy watching and supporting others and I like being part of a lively atmosphere. I enjoy spending time with others and building relationships with people from different backgrounds. I have a close relationship with my older sister, who is two years older than me. We often go shopping together and enjoy cooking and making sweets at home. Through these experiences, I have naturally learned to enjoy everyday communication and sharing time with others. Because of this, I am comfortable interacting with new people in a friendly and open way and I would like to make the most of my time in Australia by actively engaging with people and deepening my understanding through these connections.

I hope to make this experience meaningful by meeting many people, enjoying new experiences and learning from everyday life in Australia.

Yuzuki Sugano

Ballarat High School Newsletter

Issue 16 · 15 Oct 2026

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