Japan Day
A Wonderful Celebration of Japanese Culture and Community
On Wednesday 10 June, Carnegie Primary School came alive with colour, creativity, music and excitement as our whole school celebrated Japan Day 2026.
Inspired by Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day), students and staff enjoyed a memorable day filled with opportunities to explore, experience and celebrate Japanese language and culture. From the moment students arrived dressed in their creative Japanese-themed outfits, there was a wonderful sense of excitement and curiosity throughout the school.
The day began with our special Japan Day Opening Ceremony Assembly, where students, staff and families came together to celebrate the importance of intercultural learning and our connection with Japan. Our Year 6 Japanese Captain Dani J and Sakura W of Year 5 spoke in Japanese to make the ceremony feel very special, particularly for our distinguished guest Ms Inoue-Maclean, the Victorian Coordinator for the Yokohama City Sister Schools program. A highlight of the assembly was the incredible performance by the renowned Wadaiko Rindo Japanese taiko drummers, who captivated our school community with their energy, power and precision in playing traditional songs.
Throughout the day, students participated enthusiastically in a wide range of experiences designed to deepen their understanding of Japan. Students created colourful koinobori (carp streamers) and folded origami kabuto hats. The Prep – Year 2 students played Kendama, Tonton Sumo and fished the way through the traditional Kingyo Sukui game. Our Year 3 and 4 students were incredibly lucky to have Ms Nishikawa, Ms Tanaka and Ms Winter, our wonderful parent volunteers who worked tirelessly to introduce the art of Shodo (calligraphy) and they were thrilled to take home their work. Whilst our Year 5 and 6 students not only played traditional Japanese sporting games but also received a lesson from Sakamoto sensei about how to play the taiko drums. All students had a wonderful time delving into different aspects of the Japanese culture sharing their learning, asking questions and making connections between the language they learn in the classroom and their experiences on Japan Day. Furthermore, it was topped off by a shared sushi lunch in the hall, with the sushi being declared as the best sushi by our Year 1 connoisseurs.
The atmosphere across the school was exceptional, with students and staff embracing every opportunity to learn, participate and celebrate together. The joy, enthusiasm and respect shown by our community truly reflected the spirit of Japan Day.
A very special thank you goes to our wonderful parent helpers, and in particular to all staff for their incredible support in running activities and creating such a happy and memorable experience for our students.