On Wednesday, 30th July the school officially welcomed the 11 visiting students and their teacher from Iida Girls School, Nagano, Japan.
Catherine McAuley is welcoming visiting students from Japan.
Catherine McAuley is hosting 10 students and their teacher from Iida Girls School, Nagano, Japan for the next two weeks. The students have been matched with a Catherine McAuley Japanese language student who they will accompany to classes. In addition, the visiting students will spend time with all of the Catherine McAuley Japanese classes.
Catherine McAuley Japanese Teacher Ms Yuna Jang said the visit by students from Iida Girls School is a wonderful opportunity for the Catherine McAuley Japanese students to practise their language skills. “The Japanese which the students use in class can now be used by them in real situations,” says Ms Jang. “This motivates the students even more to continue to speak the language and to perhaps in the future consider visiting Japan to further increase their skills. The students take much enjoyment from interacting in Japanese with real Japanese students, not just their textbooks.”
School Principal Mary Refalo presents a gift from the school to visiting teacher Tomohiro Hojo.
Students from Iida Girls School speaking at the school assembly.
The students and their teacher, Mr Tomohiro Hojo, were officially welcomed by the school at the school assembly on Wednesday. School Principal Ms Mary Refalo presented Mr Hojo with a gift from the school and the students were presented with tote bags filled with small mementos. Year 10 Japanese language students Annelise T. and Leisel H. spoke at the assembly on behalf of the school. “We welcome the girls from Iida Girls School to our warm and wonderful school Catherine McAuley. We hope you have a wonderful time and get to know the life of an Australian high school student whilst having fun and forming friendships.”
In reply two of the students from Iida Girls School spoke and they told the Catherine McAuley community a little bit about their school which they said is a peaceful town surrounded by mountains. “Although Japan and Australia are far apart we are very happy to have this opportunity to connect with all of you,” they said. “We hope that by learning about each other we can become even closer in the future.”
The visiting students were presented with a tote bag of small Catherine McAuley mementos.
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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