Matsudo Youth Delegates visit Koonung
Matsudo Youth Delegation visit Koonung
Koonung students host the Matsudo Youth Delegates every year in March. The delegates are chosen to represent the City of Matsudo on annual visits to Whitehorse, based on their successful study of the English language. This visit is the 36th time delegates have visited Whitehorse. The visits promote good relations and understanding between Whitehorse and Matsudo young people. Many of the students continue to correspond and visit each other well after they have completed their education and have their own children.
This March we welcomed ten youth delegate students and two council staffers from our Sister City, Matsudo, Japan in a ceremony with the Mayor of Whitehorse, Whitehorse Council representatives and the Koonung Principal team on Thursday 15 March. After welcome speeches and presentation of letters and gifts to Whitehorse Council, Koonung and students, the students were soon chatting and laughing as they quickly got to know each other.
On Friday, the group joined with the Year 7 Japanese classes and enjoyed learning about some aboriginal culture. With the assistance of Mrs. Cohen, they created their own dot painted boomerangs and chatted with the Year 7 students. Next came the more serious conversations with our Year 12 students as part of their Japanese studies and preparation for end-of-year examinations. Following a tasty Recess break, they were introduced via an assembly to the Year 7 students in the theatre. Each delegate spoke with skill and passion about their dreams and hobbies. The morning ended with more conversation practice between the Year 10 and 11 Japanese students. The delegates attended the host’ normal classes in the afternoon to compare the similarities and differences between our two education systems.
The weekend was spent enjoying time with host families in a variety of activities.
Monday was the day to visit Healesville Sanctuary. Seeing Australian fauna up close was a great thrill to the delegates who took many photographs. The “Aussie BBQ” lunch, expertly prepared by Mr Quinlan, was well received and consumed. A tired but happy bunch of students came back to Koonung with many memories and a better knowledge of our wildlife.
Tuesday came around all too soon. The excursion was to Cape Schanck National Park with a scenic hike along the coastal path to Bush Ranger’s Bay. There, the students enjoyed the sea and sand, exploring the rock pools and tidal stream that flowed into the sea. Despite the weather being cool, many students managed to get wet to the waist. After walking back, they enjoyed a tasty picnic under the pine trees at Fingal’s Reserve before finally arriving back at Koonung, tired but happy.
The delegate’s final day was Wednesday 21 March. Host families and students gathered early to farewell their new friends with many tears and hugs. As they headed for the airport, we waved goodbye with promises to meet again, one day.
A sincere thank you to our host students and their families for generously taking care of the delegates during their visit. The exchange would not be possible without your support. Thank you to the Whitehorse families that generously hosted the adult members of the group. The assistance of many teachers and administration staff was greatly appreciated in making the visit a success. Special thanks to the Languages Team for their dedicated support.
The participants were: Mr. Tatsuro Suzuki hosted by Bruce, Faye and Erin Scott, Ms Miho Shiota hosted by Dee and Ken Baxter, Shimizu Kanon with Jasmine Nicol, Naomi Tamura with Claire and Faith Morgan, Kurumi Bandai with Nanako Masuda, Ayana Nishihata with Charlotte Heeps, Miyu Orito with Daniel and Mitchel Pooley, Yuki Ono with Tiana Gregg, Misaki Kubota with Chloe Pedler, Ryou Obara with Jackson and Hudson Birch, Nagisa Oono with Lily Ho, and Daiki Takimoto with Amelia Leeuwenburgh.
Paul Dailey
Languages Domain Leader