Languages
Japan Trip and SJPC Exchange Students
In the September holidays, 36 students (from Years 9, 10 and 11) and 4 staff embarked on the trip of a lifetime, a 15-day tour of Japan. Visits to various cities including Nagoya, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo enabled all to not only experience the language but also the wide-ranging culture and lifestyle of the Japanese.
The first 3 days of the trip started at our sister school, Reitaku Mizunami in Gifu, with the students living on campus in the dormitories and being introduced to Japanese school life. The schedule was jam packed with various lessons, including learning about and taking part in traditional activities such as tea ceremony, koto (musical instrument) and calligraphy as well as club activities.
Students were also able to catch up with our four Year 10 exchange students – Pepper Bowie-Ford, Jayden Phillips-Manwaring, Theodore Wood and Eamon Browne – and see how they were enjoying their stay at Reitaku. They had settled in quickly into their new environment and had immersed themselves in the Japanese way of life completely.
At Reitaku, a special Welcome assembly was held where both school Principals spoke about the importance of our inter-school connections and both agreed to continue our special relationship and pledged that it continues.
The rest of our trip saw us visit the cities of Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. In Hiroshima, our visit to the Peace Park was a sobering reminder of the devastation and impact of war. The afternoon was spent with local University students who guided us through the museum and park explaining the significance of various monuments. That night for dinner, we enjoyed making our own okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) topped with various items including prawns, cheese, green onion and more. While in Hiroshima, we were also able to visit Miyajima, an island that is home to one of the most amazing shrines (Itsukushima) that appears to float on the water at high tide. We were able to make “momiji manju” (rice cake shaped like a Japanese maple leaf) filled with chocolate and traditional red beans, which was a memorable experience.
In Kyoto we were delighted by the culture and tradition of the city which was formerly the capital of Japan. Visits to the Golden Pavilion temple (Kinkakuji), Ryoanji (rock garden), Sanjuusangendo (Buddhist temple known for its 1000 bronze statues of Kannon) and Nijo Castle enabled us all to gain valuable insight into the history and religion of the country. Gion Corner was a memorable evening, where we were treated to a variety of traditional art forms including dance, kyogen (comedy play), gagaku (court music) and ikebana (flower arranging).
Another city on the tour was Osaka; a vibrant, modern city with lots of shopping streets and also Universal Studios Japan. Students and staff alike had a ball at USJ with many taking on heart-stopping and stomach lurching rides such as the Flying Dinosaur and the Harry Potter ride!
Our last city on the tour was the current capital, Tokyo. We started our stay in Harajuku, the famous area filled with youth fashion, colourful street art, quirky vintage clothing stores and cosplay shops. While in Harajuku, some students were fortunate enough to catch up with their student from Toyama Chubu High School, who they hosted in March. It was great to see the friendships continue to form.
Students were able to visit the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, known as Miraikan, as well as experience the Ikebukuro Life Saving Centre where they learnt about earthquakes and how to use a fire extinguisher. Famous city areas such as Shibuya (with the famous pedestrian crossing where up to 1000 people can cross at any one time), Akihabara (known for its electronics and anime stores), Asakusa (where students visited Sensoji temple and the 634m high Tokyo SkyTree) and Yokohama (where students were able to make their own Cup Noodles at the Cup Noodle museum) were also favourite destinations for the group.
The highlight for all was on the final day when we visited teamLab Planets, a museum where we walked barefoot through water and immersed our entire bodies in the vast artworks including a garden where we became one with the flowers. It was a great way to finish the trip.
Thanks must go to the staff who generously gave up their holiday time with their families to accompany the students on this trip of a lifetime; Mrs Ngahine Munokoa, Mrs Leanne Gennat and College Principal, Mr Michael Carniato and his wife Jacqueline. The entire group had a wonderful time together and it will no doubt be a memory of SJPC that the students will never forget.
Student Impressions
Riley Scullion (Yr 11)
I really liked the shrine visits and the school, the opportunity to make connections with Japanese students was a good experience and the shrines were beautiful.
Grace Fuller (Yr 10)
It was without doubt a fun, amazing and memorable experience. It gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in Japanese culture and explore the language I've been learning for the past couple of years. I have made lifelong friendships and visited beautiful places.
Lucy Schlenker (Yr 9)
Trying to find one thing to classify as my favourite experience has been difficult, as all of the trip was unbelievable. But, I think my best experience was going to TeamLab Planets. Every exhibition blew my mind. I created some amazing memories there.
Imani-Capri van Hamond (Yr 9)
The culture was so beautiful, I connected differently to many of the temples and shrines but one that stood out to me the most was Sanjūsangendō temple. I was speechless when I entered the temple and felt so at peace and such an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.
Dakota Johnston (Yr 10)
To be able to have the opportunity to travel and experience a different country was amazing. I was able to see what it is like to live in Japan from the food to daily activities including catching trains.
Sophie Welsh (Yr 9)
We had so many incredible opportunities and got to participate in a variety of different things that related to Japanese culture. It was a great time to connect with our friends and meet new people and teachers that we might not have talked to before.
Gabriel Wark (Yr 9)
The best part of the trip was likely Miyajima Island, off the coast of Hiroshima. We were able to roam around the island to visit the many shrines and temples, get food and gifts, and interact with the slightly over-friendly deer. The 2023 SJPC Japan trip was an amazing journey highlighting culture, tradition, and giving me fun experiences that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Leader of Learning - Languages