| On the weekends the billets and their parents did a great job of showing the students a good time at local sporting and family events including, amongst other things, attending The Mallee Fowl, Bowland and a bonfire at a local residence. The teachers on our staff have also enjoyed meeting and getting to know the two teachers, Sekiguchi Sensai and Matsumoto Sensai who have visited all these places with their students and spent time telling us about Japan and what school is like there. We have also enjoyed several special dinners at local restaurants and at several homes. On the final night before they left, we held a Sayonara Party. The billeting parents provided a banquet of wonderful Aussie food followed by a concert where both schools performed. The Japanese students dressed in kimonos, sang and performed songs. Using origami, they helped us all make hats and we saw a martial arts presentation. Our students sang several well known Aussie songs, and taught the students a couple of our favourite dances: The Nutbush and the Chicken Dance. We then played some games including the Donut Game, Pin the Tail on the Kangaroo and had an Egg and Spoon Race (who forgot to cook the eggs???). An entertaining and fun evening was had by all. A huge thankyou must go to all staff who helped in so many ways to make this such a successful event. Our biggest thankyou goes to our “sister” students and their parents who did a tremendous job of looking after their billets, making them feel welcome, helping them learn some English, learning some Japanese and having a fun time. Many of our students now have Japan on the top of their “places to visit” list. I am sure “email pals” have been set up for life too! Jan Sutherland |
