Ichimatsu Visit 2026

Japanese Sister School Visit 

In Week 1 of this Term we welcomed ten students from Matsudo Municipal High School, Japan (locally known as Ichimatsu). Koonung has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with our sister school in Matsudo, Japan. We were very excited to be able to spend time once again with students from our Japanese sister school!

The Ichimatsu arrived straight from the airport on Thursday morning (17th July) and were introduced formally to the school and to their host brothers and sisters at a Welcome Morning Tea event. Students had an opportunity to be guided around the College before heading off to their first classes at Koonung. At the end of a long day, our visitors met their host families and prepared to spend time immersing themselves inn Australian culture. 

Welcome to Koonung!     クーナンへようこそ！

Our sister school students were welcomed by our Principal, Mr Andrew McNeil, before enjoying a morning tea and getting to know their host brothers and sisters.

In addition to experiencing daily school life, our sister school students participated in a variety of extra activities throughout their week-long visit. Some of the activities the Ichimatsu students experienced included cooking ANZAC biscuits with Ms Allender, enjoying a matinee performance of Koonung’s fabulous Mamma Mia production, participating in conversation classes with our Year 11 students, a day visit to Healesville Sanctuary, and of course, spend quality time on the weekend with Koonung host families. Our visitors also treated some of our Year 10 students to a variety of presentations relating to Japanese culture and games. Koonung students were able to participate in the full range of activities.

Thank you also to Shion Chenhall (Year 9) and Hime Delaney (Year 10) who spoke beautifully in Japanese to help welcome the Ichimatsu students to Koonung on behalf of our College community. 

Japanese Culture

Our Koonung Year 10 Japanese class had the opportunity to experience an array of Japanese culture. Students from our sister school shared and demonstrated aspects of culture, including Japanese dress (yukata), sumo, games with chopsticks, Japanese festivals, Daruma game and a performance of a traditional Japanese folktale. 

Japanese conversation practice

Ichimatsu students working with our Year 11 Japanese class, exchanging language, culture and aspects of school life in Japan and Australia through group conversations.

 Final farewell

Very early on Thursday morning, 23rd July, we farewelled the students from our Japanese sister school. As expected, there were lots of tears, hugs and exchanging of contact details. Friendships between students from the two schools blossomed during the very short visit. Both students and host families commented that they had learnt so much about each other’s culture during the visit.

As part of the exchange program, we look forward to being able to reciprocate the visit by taking ten students from Koonung to Matsudo to experience school life in Japan next year in June.

Finally, a very big thank you to…

ALL of the amazing Host Families who welcomed the Ichimatsu students into their homes and who so generously provided accommodation, care and fun activities for our Japanese visitors. We are so grateful for the ongoing support of our school community whose participation allows our sister school relationship to keep flourishing. 

Thank you also to Elizabeth Senior and Young Cho for hosting the accompanying teachers from Japan, Ms Ichinose and Mr Onohara. I know they were incredibly thankful to you all and had a wonderful time with your families.

An extra mention to our Koonung student host brothers and sisters who displayed exceptional leadership and support to our visitors. Thank you to the following students for their time and commitment to this program:

Year 9:

Shion Chenhall

Liam Neoh

Year 10:

Hime Delaney

Georgette Joughin

Ambra Mazza

Paddy Pietzrykowski

Year 11:

Gyubi Cheung

Charlotte Chua

Nadeeta Haq

Natalie Wong

… and to our whole school community, Koonung students and staff, who helped to strengthen our connection with Ichimatsu by creating special experiences and memories for our sister school students!

Mia Poulton 

Year 10 Coordinator

Overseas Exchange Coordinator

Languages Domain Leader

Japanese, Maths and Music Teacher