Ichimatsu Visit 2024

JAPANESE SISTER SCHOOL

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. This was the first visit from our sister school since 2018, prior to Covid. We were very excited to be able to resume the exchange program with our Japanese sister school. 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.

The Ichimatsu arrived straight from the airport on Wednesday morning (17 July) and were welcomed by their host brothers and sisters before being provided with morning tea and a tour of the College. They were surprisingly energetic after their long flight and ready to be immersed in our College life. They headed off to various classes with their host brothers and sisters and continued to experience regular classes as well as a variety of extra activities throughout their week-long visit. 

Some of the activities the Ichimatsu students experienced included creating Australian floral prints, enjoying Koonung’s production of Shrek and participating in conversation classes with our Year 11 and 12 students, where Japanese and English languages were practised and cultural information was exchanged.

Our visitors also treated some of our Year 9 students with a variety of presentations relating to Japanese culture. Koonung students were able to participate in the activities, which also included trying on traditional Japanese kimono and yukata clothing.

Of course, Ichimatsu students were able to spend quality time on the weekend with their host families, enjoying a range of “Australian” experiences, including Melbourne City and our native animals!

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

Ichimatsu students attending a Year 9 Japanese class with their host brother, Gyubi and host sister, Natalie.

Ichimatsu students creating prints of Australian flora under the guidance of one of our talented art teachers, Mr Chris Henson.

JAPANESE CULTURE

Our Koonung Year 9 Japanese classes had the opportunity to experience an array of Japanese culture. Students from our sister school shared and demonstrated aspects of Japanese culture, such as, Kyudo (Japanese archery), Sadou (Japanese Tea Ceremony), a game called “Fukuwarai” (traditionally played as part of New Year’s celebrations), Japanese modern and traditional dancing, Japanese general knowledge quizzes, understanding the meaning behind some Japanese family names, and wearing traditional Japanese dress (Kimono and Yukata). 

Dressing up in Kimono and Yukata and tying on Obi (the Kimono/Yukata sash)

All dressed!!!

Final farewell - Early Wednesday morning (24 July)

 Very early on Wednesday morning (24th 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 Japan during the visit.

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 Aya Fleischer and Stephanie Goto and their families for hosting the two accompanying teachers from Japan. 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 8:

Shani Brown

Alyssa Cooper

Georgette Joughin

Year 9:

Alyssa Boyd

Gyubi Cheung

Ellie Dyason

Natalie Wong

Year 10:

Charlene Chen

Jay Huang

Fraser Markham

Year 12:

Emma Boyd

Chloe Cooper

Hélène Fleischer

Mia Poulton

Domain Leader - Languages

Japanese, Mathematics and Music Teacher