Library
Home

News

  • Sister School visit

    27 October, 2009



    By Scott Anderson
    In a relationship spanning more than 20 years All Saints' College Bathurst and sister school Yachiyo Shoin High School in Chiba Japan have never let anything come between them but this year they didn't have choice.

    Originally scheduled for July the exchange of teachers and students looked like being cancelled for the first time when the Swine Flu hit.

    With the crisis worsening around the globe it didn't look good but rather than break this time honoured tradition both schools opted to wait for their window of opportunity.

    And thanks to some deft organising, an easing of the swine flu restrictions and a lot of cooperation from both parties that window opened earlier this month.

    Arriving on October 13 the group wasted no time becoming acquainted with Bathurst visiting the Regional Council, The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, The National Motor Racing Museum, The Goldfields and Abercrombie House.

    But perhaps the thing that thrilled them most was the chance to play golf for the very first time on a proper course, something few of the golf loving Japanese public get to do with space so limited and exorbitant fees in their home country.



    During the second week of their visit the group participated in farm stays no doubt giving the pigs a wide berth!

    This week members of the group will be staying with families from the All Saints' community and attending school with the local children.

    Outside of the classroom they will also be participating in a bush dance, horse riding and a visit to Jenolan Caves before giving a performance at a farewell party on Wednesday night.

    Senior Japanese Teacher from All Saints' Mrs Fudeko Reekie said the visit had been a tremendous success.

    "I am so pleased we did not cancel the exchange…it would have been the easy thing to do at the time," she said

    "The visiting students have been very much impressed by the vast and beautiful landscape and the friendliness of the Bathurst people.

    "Many of them have told me they will be returning to see more and that is good for Bathurst as well as All Saints`."

    Next Year three assistant teachers (presently Year 12 All Saints` students) will be going to work at the sister school. It is planned that in the following year a group from All Saints` will travel to Chiba where they will attend school at Yachiyo Shoin and experience life in Chiba and Japan.






News Headlines

Category:
Page 1 of 78
1  2  3  4  5