APCC - By Piper C

Hi, my name is Piper Clugston, I’m in grade 5 and I have just been to Japan to represent Australia as a junior ambassador for the APCC program. APCC stands for Asian Pacific Children’s Convention. I was selected as one of four representatives for Australia after going through an application, interview and selection day process. APCC aims to promote international exchange between children so that they develop an identity as a global citizen. I went to Fukuoka, Japan for 13 days with excitement and open feelings to try all the foods, all the activities and to do everything I could to make that trip one I would never forget. And that’s exactly what I did. I made friends with kids from all over the world. I met people from Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Vietnam, Thailand, India, China, Mongolia and so many more, as well as lots of Japanese people too. I am so incredibly thankful for this trip and the amazing friends I have made! At the APCC camp for the first few days, I got to eat the most amazing foods, play fun games, try on kimonos and share a cabin with kids from Vietnam and Peru. After the camp I got to stay with a host family and they were very welcoming. They had two tiny toy poodles and lived in a very traditional home including a toilet with lots of buttons and a special bath. Eriko my host mum was an amazing cook, and Kouji my host dad was a very athletic man, and Hinata my host sister was a funny friend with a very caring soul. I had a great time with my host family and enjoyed wonderful experiences including going to a Japanese school and to try activities like Japanese fencing called ‘Kendo'. One of my favourite experiences was performing a dance with my three other Australian friends in front of the other countries, and also being interviewed for Japanese news. This has been an amazing experience, one I will never forget. I would like to thank Sakamoto Sensei and Derinya Primary School for giving me the opportunity. I am looking forward to continuing my involvement with APCC and keeping in contact with all my new friends and continuing to learn about Japan.

By Piper C (5KB)

JAPANESE INCOMING AND OUTGOING TRIPS ARE BACK!

What a busy and exciting time it has been for our Japanese Program! In addition to sending off our amazing Piper C (5KB) on her adventure to Japan as an Australian Junior Ambassador, we welcomed two delegations of Japanese students into our Derinya community for the first time since 2019. Year 3-6 students cared for their new friends from Susono and Shukutoku in the classrooms and playground and had a wonderful time teaching each other games and dances. We loved seeing the children of both countries having so much fun together and using their learning in meaningful ways. Thank you very much to all the Derinya families who kindly welcomed the students into their homes for the most treasured experience of a homestay. Our Shukutoku and Susono friends have returned to Japan with many fond memories of their time in our community.

Kind regards,

Therese Sakamoto and Elle Taylor

Foundation Melbourne Zoo Excursion

We’re going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo!

On Thursday 24th August, the Prep students went on an excursion to the Melbourne Zoo. The kids enjoyed the opportunity to wonder around the zoo and explore the amazing habitats and animals at the zoo. We are so proud of them, it was a big day of walking and exploring in the sunshine. There was so much learning to be had, as this term we have been learning all about living and non-living things and what they need to be happy and healthy. The Preps are so excited to perform a song at assembly tomorrow morning about the zoo.

Book Week 2023