また九月に (see you in September)!

By Ms Michele Sharp, Head of Languages

On Sunday, we farewelled 20 students and Mr Yamamoto and Ms Higashiyama from Konko Gakuen, our sister school in Okayama, Japan.

It has been some time since we have been able to welcome students from our partner schools, and Radford's Year 10 students were very excited to finally meet their partners for this exchange. After a week full of fun activities, it was a teary goodbye at Canberra Airport.

Throughout the exchange, the teachers were impressed with how the students conducted themselves and how quickly they became firm friends. In addition to being a great opportunity to use our language skills, these exchanges teach our students the importance of being good global citizens, and it was timely that their last school day fell on Harmony Day. A day on which we are reminded of the importance of recognising and celebrating diversity, something integral to language learning.

At the farewell ceremony, all the students recounted their favourite memories from the exchange, and I was very pleased to hear them comment on their improved language skills and desire to keep in touch.

These exchanges are a community effort. Radford teachers welcomed the students into their classes and many developed special lessons for the visiting students. Some examples included an Australian quiz in Year 10 Chapel with Rev. Katherine; an Australian party cooking lesson with Ms Jackson, complete with a step-by-step recipe book to take home; and a woodwork lesson with Mr Dunn in which the students made their own chopsticks. Thanks to the HPE Department, students also learnt how to play Australian sports, and they enjoyed a creative arts lesson with Mrs Chase, creating an artwork based on the animals they had seen during their excursions to Tidbinbilla and Gold Creek.

I am very grateful to the teaching, support and grounds staff for all their assistance during this exchange. You have all contributed to making this a memorable experience for the students. ありがとうございました！(Thank you!)

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our Year 10 student hosts and their families for enthusiastically welcoming the Konko Gakuen students into their homes. You have given them wonderful experiences they will treasure. Your hospitality was very much appreciated, and I am sure it will be reciprocated when we travel to Konko Gakuen in September to see our friends again.

While it was sad to part at the airport, we know this is not さようなら (goodbye), it’s また九月に (see you in September). We can’t wait!

Exchange Feedback

After the exchange I sent the Year 10 students a survey and was very pleased to read their reflections on this experience and what they had learnt. Please read a selection below.

This exchange has taught me a variety of valuable lessons - the importance of hospitality, a school-life balance and kindness. Perhaps the most valuable has been the benefit of making the most of an opportunity. Overcoming nerves and language barriers can eventually lead to friendship that you maybe never considered. I never thought I would connect with someone in another language in only a week, yet I have.

I have learnt that if you don't speak the same language, or if you aren't the same, it doesn't necessarily mean you cannot be friends.

Through this exchange I have learnt so much about culture and life in Japan. I got to become close with a new friend from Japan, and I think that's so cool. I learnt more about Japanese hospitality, especially gift giving.

I have improved my language skills. By speaking Japanese more often I have cemented sentence structures and adjectives in particular, among others, into my mind. I can make better conversations and have improved the logical (sentence building) aspect of my speaking.