Alumni News

Alumni Jake Piddington plays for the Consulate General of Japan.

The Shizuoka teachers union send delegates each year to visit with the AEU and exchange ideas and knowledge about respective education systems. This year was the nineteenth such visit. Some of our Victorian teachers then visit their colleagues for a reciprocal study tour. 

Jake impressed everyone with his command of Japanese, and was able to speak 'off the cuff' in responding to some of the topics mentioned by the union President. He was able to tell of his experiences in Japan, including his home stay, the after school mandolin club, and his confirmation of the Shizuoka union president’s statements regarding the high workload of the teachers he had the opportunity to learn with - a very important issue to the whole group. It was very interesting to hear the Japanese interpreter convey Jake's speech back to us in English, and certainly proved that he had spoken accurately and with excellent command of conversational and formal styles!

He played a movement from a traditional guitar piece called 'Sakura' which was very well received. Several of the Japanese guests approached Jake after the event to compliment him on his skills and to talk about their own music interests; one teacher mentioned that she has played the same piece on her koto.  Naturally, he made a number of new 'friends' that day!

Our own president, Meredith Peace, also congratulated Jake and suggested the possibility of a return performance next year....

Glenda Piddington

Friend of Nossal and Alumni Parent