Hajimemashite! Five students and two teachers from our sister school, Nishinomiya Imazu Senior High School, Japan, visited our shores in Week 3. Their first few days were spent in Rotorua, experiencing a Marae and the Māori culture before coming back up to Auckland to stay with some of our students. On Wednesday morning, the Kapa Haka group put on a wonderful pōwhiri for them, performing the haka and a waiata. Ms Lodge organised a lovely spread of scones, lolly cake and ginger slice to share between us. The students connected with the guests and had a blast.
Throughout their stay here, the Japanese students sat in on many different classes such as, Māori, Physics, English and some junior Japanese classes. They even got to bake scones with their buddies and Mrs Troughear’s Level 2 Japanese class. We had different flavours such as cheese and onion, blueberry and plain with a side of seasonal fruit. Some students even got to try our infamous marmite scrolls and lamingtons. I think the highlight for a few of the Japanese students was their trip to Elm Park Primary School to hang out with some kids. My buddy Ami said they were super cute!!
The hosting students even took the students around Auckland during the afternoons. Abigail and her buddy went up One Tree Hill to view the city, as well as walking along Eastern Beach in the evenings. Brooke and her buddy went to Auckland Domain to check out Auckland War Memorial Museum and saw some pretty cool artefacts. Andy and his buddy hung around Botany Town Centre and even went up the Sky Tower at night to see some fantastic views. Jae and her buddy, Chihiro, hung around home and tasted some Korean cooking. Jae and Anna even made Chihiro some pavlova as she missed out on trying it in Rotorua when the other Japanese students had some. Ami and I spent our Saturday in the centre of town, up the Sky Tower, in the arcade and trialling some delicious bagels. Of course, over the week, we each took our buddies to watch the school production, The Addams Family.
On their last morning in New Zealand, Mrs Troughear, Mr Taylor and Ms Lodge put on a wonderful breakfast for the students and their host families. There were ham and cheese croissants along with classic orange juice. We had our presentations and the students performed Momotaro Peach Boy, a traditional Japanese folk tale. I will admit, it was very sad to see them go, and we wish them all the best!! We very much look forward to seeing you again next year!
~ Sofia Currie 12J11