We have had a wonderful two weeks at Myojo Gakuen. As usual our host families and the staff and students at Myojo have been extremely caring and have gone out of their way to give our students an amazing experience. In the second week of our study tour  our students were supporting the teachers of English in Myojo by attending their lessons and  helping to create authentic conversations around the content of these lesson.  Our students also conducted their prepared  lessons in Japanese to their host classes.  In addition our students had a Taiko drumming lesson,  did some indigo leaf printing and learn a dramatised version of  a Japanese folktale which they performed at the final assembly.
On Thursday 15 September there were many  lovely moments of friendship and joy as we were farewelled. Myojo principal, Mr Fukuda presented Brian Marshall with a special gift for our school, to acknowledge the 10th Anniversary of our friendship. Brian was also recognised by the Myojo school community for his role in  this program and best wishes were expended to him regarding his forthcoming retirement.
We all arrived back  safely at Adelaide Airport on Friday 16 September, to the warm welcome of appreciative Woodend families.  The students were acknowledged for their terrific participation in all the challenges that such a trip  presents.  The staff, Sarah Vinall, Vicki Gregory  and Brian were acknowledged  by parents for their efforts. Sarah was particularly acknowledged for her superb organisation and management, which resulted  in all aspects of the trip running smoothly and impressively.
In a coming newsblog post, students will report on their  learning experiences during this  fantastic  trip.
Here are some photos  from the second week of Woodend @ Myojo 2016:
Woodend student lessons in Japanese
Studio Ghibli  visit
More lessons in Japanese
Learning and rehearsing a Japanese Folktale for the assembly performance
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Taiko drumming lesson
leaf printing with support from a yr 1 Myojo class
The  host families were very lovely and caring.
farewell assembly
Principal Fukuda presents Mr Marshall with a gift from Myojo Gakuen to Woodend Primary school, to make the 10th Anniversary of friendship between our schools.
last farewells at Myojo
Adelaide  Airport wrap up…