Nakamura High School visit
Sister-school study tour
Mentone Girls’ Secondary College and Nakamura Senior High School established a sister-school relationship in 2006. The relationship we have not only supports our language studies, but also promotes cultural awareness and an appreciation of each others’ culture. Eighteen students and two teachers from Nakamura Senior High School are currently visiting us, and the time with them has been extremely successful. Both students and staff have commented on how much they are enjoying Mentone school life and staying with our host families.
At school, the Nakamura students have been attending Year 7 to 12 Japanese classes. Our Year 7 girls enjoyed hearing about festivals in Nagoya and learning about Japanese school life. The Nakamura students also gave our girls some hands-on experience with calligraphy, origami, tea-ceremony and playing with traditional Japanese toys. In Year 8 classes, MGSC students introduced the Nakamura students to some Aussie snacks. It was a great opportunity for the Year 8s to practise the language they have been learning over the last 2 years and their conversations were truly authentic. Years 9, 10 and 11 students also took the opportunity to interact in Japanese, and Year 12 students made the most of their time together to strengthen their spoken Japanese and focus discussion around the topics they have each chosen for their final detailed study assessment.
At the College assembly on Tuesday, Maisie Taylor (Year 9) did herself proud when she welcomed and introduced our guests in Japanese, and to commemorate their seventh visit, an exchange of gifts took place. Ikeda Sensei (the teacher leading the tour) presented our College with a ‘noren’, with a design of three gourds and embroidered with the MGSC logo. The ‘noren’ is now used as a decorative item, but traditionally it invites good luck and keeps the ‘evil’ out. The Nakamura students then entertained us by doing their version of a famous comedy skit “Pen Pineapple Apple Pen”.
Over the weekend, our Japanese guests thoroughly enjoyed doing activities with their host families, including experiencing a typical teenage party, visits to Healesville Sanctuary, Philip Island and Luna Park, tree surfing, sailing Westernport Bay (where they spotted two humpback whales – so jealous!!), shopping, production rehearsals, ACMI and Mamma Mia. Ikeda Sensei explored the wineries, St Andrews Brewery, Cape Schanck Lighthouse and enjoyed fish & chips at Flinders, whilst Ichie Sensei hired a car and toured the Great Ocean Road.
The highlight of the visit, for me, was seeing the bonds made between the students and the life-long friendships formed in such a short time. The Language teachers and the College greatly appreciate all the families who opened up their homes to host a student or teacher. The Exchange Program owes its success to the generosity and hospitality of so many of our families. Thank you!
Our students are already looking forward to next year, when they will have an opportunity to travel to Japan as part of the Japan Tour 2019. Expressions of interest will be sought from Years 9 to 11 students later this term.
Ms Petra Witt
Japan Study Tour Coordinator
Welcome at Assembly
Welcome to MGSC.'
Today we will meet new Japanese friends. We cannot wait. How is Melbourne? Is it cold? Did you see kangaroos and koalas? Did you eat Vegemite, Tim Tams, Lamingtons, a Bunnings snag? Please try them.
Did you go to the beach? Please do go to the beach.
Mentone students are friendly. So please don’t be shy. Let’s have lunch together. Let’s chat ...
We are very ecited about the next four days with you.
Pleased to meet you.
Maisie Taylor (Year 9)
Middle School Japanese Leader
