From the Study Tours Coordinator

Celebrating Cultural Exchange: Hosting Japanese Study Tours

This term, we had the incredible pleasure of hosting three groups of students from Japan on study tours. This enriching experience has been invaluable in forging strong friendships and fostering intercultural understanding and appreciation.

The success of these tours is largely due to the warm welcome our guests received from their classmates and teachers. A special shout-out goes to our amazing student buddies, whose dedication and the special relationships they built made these tours truly memorable and positive experiences.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making these study tours a success. The bonds we’ve formed and the cultural insights we’ve gained will stay with us for a lifetime.

Friendship Bracelets and Bonds: Year 8 Welcomes Sundai Kofu High School

In Weeks 7 and 8, we had the pleasure of welcoming 16 enthusiastic students from Sundai Kofu High School for a memorable four-day study tour. Our Year 8 cohort warmly embraced their new friends, and it was heartwarming to see strong friendships blossom.

Throughout their stay, our overseas guests were supported by their amazing SAC buddies, who guided them through classes and ensured they felt right at home. A standout moment of their visit was making friendship bracelets together, symbolizing the bonds formed between our Australian and Japanese students.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 8 students for their hospitality and the wonderful connections they’ve made. Here’s to more enriching cultural exchanges in the future!

Cultural Connections: Year 9’s Memorable Japanese Study Tour

We were thrilled to host five wonderful students from Mejiro Kenshin High School who joined our Year 9AB and 9CW classes for an exciting two-day study tour. The classrooms were filled with laughter as our Japanese visitors bonded with their Australian classmates, learning about school life and culture here in Australia.

A huge thank you to all the students and teachers who warmly welcomed our guests. Your kindness and hospitality made their experience truly special. A special thankyou to the five amazing student buddies for their reliable support throughout the visit, ensuring our guests felt right at home.

Strong Friendships and Sad Farewells

Over the past three weeks, our Year 10 cohort had the incredible opportunity to warmly welcome 20 amazing students from St Capitanio Girls School in Japan. During this time, we’ve seen strong friendships blossom and a deep appreciation for each other’s cultures grow. Some unforgettable highlights include:

• Fridays spent in the primary classrooms, sharing laughter and learning
• Cheering together at the SAC Swimming Carnival
• Fascinating presentations about Japan by our St Capitanio friends
• A fun-filled farewell pizza party
• The heartfelt farewell ceremony, filled with joyous singing and dancing

As we bid our new friends farewell, we wish them safe travels back home. Though they may be leaving, the strong bonds and lasting memories we’ve created will stay with us forever.

Reflections from our student buddies:

“This Thursday, students had the exciting opportunity to engage in a cultural exchange with our visiting Japanese students during Presentation Day. It was a fantastic experience filled with insights into Japanese traditions, pop culture, and iconic entertainment. Our guests shared fascinating presentations on Japanese food, J-Pop, traditional patterns, Studio Ghibli, and the beloved character Doraemon. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm as they introduced us to different aspects of their culture. The exchange of ideas and experiences truly highlighted the strong connection between our schools.” Daniela

“Being a buddy is truly rewarding. The connection you make with that person is so special. I now have a much boarder understanding of Japan and life as a student in Japan. I have made many memories these last few weeks that I will treasure forever.” Raven

“I had a fun time getting to know my buddy during these past three weeks, she was such great company! I very much enjoyed all the activities we’ve done, and simply spending time together and asking questions about Japan may have been my favourite part of the whole experience. My buddy’s presentation on Japanese patterns and the Pizza Party were highlights. Hope you have a safe trip back, Minori!” Isabella

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