On September 12th, ten very excited students from Year 5 and 6, gathered at Adelaide Airport, ready for an adventure in Japan.

These students were part of this year’s bi annual Study Tour trip to Myojo Gakuen, our sister school in Tokyo, Japan.

With months of preparation complete, students began their adventure in Japan, arriving at 5.30am on a Sunday morning. We were treated to a wonderful welcome from our host families and Myojo staff, followed by a delicious morning tea. Then it was time for our students to join their host families, becoming part of their new family for the next 12 days.

Each day students were part of either a Year 5 or 6 class at Myojo. They joined in all lessons, enjoying woodwork, music, art and science which was a highlight for many of our students. They got use to having to change into inside shoes in the main building, then putting on their outside shoes for play time outside!

As a Woodend group, we had a two day adventure to Hakone, a beautiful part of Japan, around 2 hours from Tokyo. We stayed in a Japanese style hotel, enjoying the experience of sleeping on traditional tatami flooring, and trying a wide range of traditional Japanese foods at our dinner in our own private room! We explored the Hakone area, riding a ropeway, ship, bus and a fast, mini bullet train. We had a fantastic two days.

We thank the Myojo host families for providing such wonderful opportunities for our students. Students got to attend festivals, dress in traditional kimono and yukata, enjoy delicious Japanese meals, including their bentos (lunches) for school each day, and made to feel part of their family.

Our students were excellent ambassadors for Woodend. They can be very proud of themselves for being willing to try new things, be brave and step out of their comfort zone. minasan yokudekimashita.

We look forward to our next trip in two years time when our current Year 3 and 4 students will have the opportunity to take part in this fabulous Study Tour program.