LOTE News

Japanese Student Exchange March 12th - 26th 2019

The Narita Kokusai-Viewbank College exchange students arrived at Tullamarine at 8:00 am on Tuesday 12th of March.  For the next 15 days they were immersed in Australian life with help from enthusiastic home stay hosts and the welcome from Viewbank students and staff into various classes. Language skills on both sides improved as conversations and interactions took place in a series of well planned activities. The enjoyment factor was evident from the predominantly smiling faces.

An excursion to Sovereign Hill, where the “secret chamber mine tour” created great excitement, especially as the carriage went hurtling into the darkness of the mine. The costumed characters wandering the street provided a good appreciation of our gold rush history in the mines. The horse drawn coach ride was also popular.

Healesville Sanctuary was also a winner with great excitement shown in some close up encounters with Australian Kangaroos, Echidna and some low flying birds of prey at the flight show.

An introduction to our weird sports of cricket and Aussie rules from Ms Clapp and Mr Purcell had some students a little uncertain but all willing to “have a go”. Quite enthusiastically at times!

Ms Weissenfeld’s English classes took them through Australian expressions, Australian history and native animals. Many opportunities to improve their communication skills were provided. The Japanese students also presented aspects of their hobbies and cultural activities to enthusiastic Viewbank Primary students. Thanks to Mr Showji Ito at the primary school for helping to bring that to fruition.

A fine warm day allowed keen exchange students to participate in Athletic Carnival. The running events seemed to be very popular.

The Japanese staff, in particular Ms Lemar and Mrs McLay, made certain that the exchange students had a fun and productive experience as well as deriving benefit for our own Japanese students. The strength of the friendships made were evident in the teary farewells at the final departure and the masses of selfies and group photos at the Farewell. Charmaine and her friends made Toffee fruits for the farewell party!

Thank you to all those involved in so many ways and host families, this visit will undoubtedly strengthen the ties between Narita Kokusai High School and Viewbank.

Special Thanks to Allison Lemar, Mike Matthew and Kumiko McLay for hosting accompanying teachers. Thanks to specialist teachers Stephanie Clapp, Ross Purcell, Ruth Perkins and Julie Weissenfeld. Many thanks to Con, Kathleen, Deanne, Lindy, Kylie in the office; Bernie and Sue in Food Tech; Ben in Theatre and  Dennis for the BBQ. Thanks to our Languages Captain Charmaine Hung for the energy and involvement to the group. Huge appreciation to Kaye Mackenzie and Ikumi Suzuki for all their work.

Trevor Sibbison  (Exchange Coordinator)