Radford languages on the world stage

By Mrs Di Fitzpatrick, Japanese Language Teacher

Last week, I had the honour of representing Radford College at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Outside of my teaching life at the College, I also hold the positions of President of the Australia Japan Society in Canberra and Vice-President of the National Federation of Australia Japan Societies. The Vice-President of Australia Japan Society, Mr Ben Raven, his colleague, Mr Masaya Kajitani, and I presented at an Education for the Future Seminar based on the Four Pillars of the Australian Pavilion, which are:

• Sustainability;
• Gender Equity and Diversity;
• Regional Partnerships; and
• First Nations.

In a video featuring students and staff from Radford College, I was able to highlight all four of these pillars, as well as make mention of our Christian values, the Radford Awareness and Service program, our regional partnership with Timor Leste, gender equity at the College and our focus on becoming a more sustainable school.

The event was attended by staff from the Nara Educational Directorate and teachers from the Nara University High School, representatives from Radford College's Japanese sister schools, Kure Kosen and Konko Gakuen, as well as staff from the Japanese embassy in Australia. We had attendees from as far as Sendai in the north of Japan to Hiroshima in the south.

The event was opened by Ms Nancy Gordon, the Commissioner General for Australia at the World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai and a former Radford College parent. Attendees were offered morning tea, which included Australian favourites such as Anzac biscuits, lamingtons and Tim Tams. Afterwards, they had the opportunity to address questions to a panel that included Ms Gordon and Mr Ben Trumble, formerly from the Japan Foundation Sydney. We received so many questions, which reflected people’s desire to learn from what they had just experienced.

"The videos you put together from your schools showing how the cross-cutting values of the pavilion reflect the values of your schools were particularly meaningful. They told the story of the pavilion and the story of your schools. But more broadly, they helped to tell the story of Australia and Australian education to an important Japanese audience. As professional teachers with deep cross-cultural understanding, you showed you had all the tricks down pat, and you demonstrated them in the planning and execution of the event" – Ms Nancy Gordon, Commissioner General for Australia at the World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai.

"Thank you so much for inviting me to such a meaningful and inspiring event. I am truly grateful to be part of this thought-provoking occasion. It’s been a real honour" – Masanori Kudo, Sendai.

"It was fascinating to hear more in-depth about the activities AJS ACT undertakes and the school video presentations and panel discussion were both informative and thought-provoking. This valuable discussion has inspired the staff and myself to reflect upon how the four pillars presented relate to our own teaching/learning environment" – Luke Rigano, Nara University High School.