Japanese News

Konnichiwa, hello,

It has been a busy and exciting term in Japanese. Earlier this term, we celebrated Children’s Day. This is a national holiday in Japan to celebrate children and to wish them good health and happiness. Foundation students made and decorated origami samurai helmets. Students in 5/6 made colourful Koi. Both the samurai and koi fish symbolise strength as samurai were strong and brave warriors and koi fish are strong as they swim upstream. 

This term, the focus for Foundation has been learning to count to 10 in Japanese and learn some colours. We have been reading the story, ‘The Mixed-up Chameleon’ in Japanese. I have really enjoyed the enthusiasm the foundation students bring to Japanese. 

The 1/2’s have been learning to introduce themselves in Japanese. I was impressed with their confidence and amazing pronunciation. We have also been reading a bilingual story called, ‘We Went to Tokyo’. This story is about a little boy and his tanuki (racoon) teddy exploring Tokyo and all the amazing things they see and experience. 

Students in 3/4 have been learning about Japanese culture, some general knowledge of Japan and revising vocabulary and the hiragana alphabet. They made a bilingual book titled, ‘This is Japan’. 

The 5/6’s are just finishing up their learning of the hiragana alphabet. I’m very pleased to say the focus, determination and willingness to help other students achieve their belts has been remarkable. So far this term, 49 students have achieved their Green Belt, and 12 students have achieved their Black Belt. This is an incredible achievement. Well done.

Word for the week is ame　あめ　which means rain. This is the kanji symbol for rain. 雨　June is the rainy season in Japan. I think June might be the rainy season in Ballarat also. 

Simone Bawden