A Special Japanese Visit

Our school was filled with smiles, Japanese greetings and plenty of excitement when we welcomed a group of students from Japan for a very special visit. During our school trip in 2024, our students were treated to incredible hospitality when they visited a Japanese school, so it was wonderful to have the opportunity to return that kindness and welcome our Japanese friends to Box Hill North Primary School.

Our visitors joined classes and experienced a little taste of Australian school life as they joined in with Australian activities, including games, art, cooking, dancing and playground fun, magnificently led by our students. There was lots of laughter as students from both countries worked together, played together and discovered the things they have in common.

There were plenty of opportunities for our students to practise their Japanese, with many leading a scavenger hunt around the school or playing a Pictionary style game with the Japanese students. One of the highlights was seeing our students confidently introduce themselves in Japanese to the visitors. Many were excited to show what they had been learning.

The visit was a wonderful reminder that learning another language is about so much more than words. It opens doors to friendships, different cultures and new experiences.

A huge ありがとう！Arigatou! to our visiting students, our wonderful host families, and our staff and students for helping to make the visit such a memorable experience.

Sensei Rachel Martin