The students continued to challenge themselves and improve their English on the final day.
Lots of picture taking and shopping happened in the little free time we had before catching the shuttle bus back to the station to catch our bullet train.
One of the teachers made a fantastic short movie about the trip. You can find it here:
https://youtu.be/nC1hJzcDOjU
The trip was a truly fantastic experience. We hope to do this again someday!
Waking up and spending the day in this amazing facility was a delight. Inside and out, there was so much to see.
The students really worked hard but it didn't seem like work.
In the evening we had a lesson on course meal manners and then enjoyed a wonderful course meal with each other.
With a lot of determination by the school, the teachers and the students and their families, and after a lot of planning and precautionary work, we were successfully able to go to British Hills.
The first day went really well. It was a lot of fun!
Students were given a tour of the facility.
They learned lots of interesting facts about the UK and some parts about culture and its history.
There are some really amazing pieces of artwork and furniture here at British Hills.
You can see more on their Instagram account.
The scenery this first night was incredible.
The clouds had moved in around 4 o'clock and then at night it looked magical.
On top of that the students were using more and more English naturally on their own.
This should become an unforgettable experience for them all.
Unlike many countries, spring vacation in Japan is the transition between the end of the school year and the start of a new one (business are the same). It is a short but important holiday, giving students a little time to reset before embarking on a new year. Often though, with all the preparations necessary for the next year students often spend much of the time busy.
Hanami season starts in a few days or so in Tokyo. It is the time honored tradition of sitting in a park somewhere under the sakura (cherry blossom) trees and enjoying time drinking and eating with friends. The cherry blossoms only bloom for a short period, around a week - so their fleeting beauty is very appreciated. Again, in pandemic times, these gatherings will be more limited - but hopefully people will take precautions and still find a way to enjoy this tradition.
Today, March 6th, Seiritsu had its Graduation Ceremony for 3rd year high school students. Two-hundred and ninety five students received their diplomas. With COVID safeguards, it is now a bit different atmosphere than usual, with no singing allowed and attendance very limited. Still school life is a big part of kids' lives in Japan, even more so than in many other countries so it is a big day with lots of happiness and tears.
I have recently become interested in Tarot and Oracle cards. When doing readings with friends, it is an excellent opportunity to talk about the future and discuss your feelings about life.
Tokyo welcomed its first Tarot card museum in Asakusa, so I had to go and check it out. There were many different kinds of illustrated decks and you had to pick a card and read about it whilst drinking tea. I chose "The Empress" card, a powerful card symbolising new changes.
If you are interested in Tarot cards and discussing your future with friends, you should visit Tokyo Tarot Museum.
Japan often likes to make its own version of customs and holidays. In Japan the traditions of Valentine's Day are separated into two days. On the February 14th, Valentine's Day, only women give chocolate or some other sweet (but usually chocolate) to men; it is usually also given to coworkers and acquaintances, not just loved ones. Then on March 14th, men are expected return the favor and give sweets to the women they received their own from.
I was recently fortunate enough to go on a day trip with friends to Mt Fuji where we went fishing. This is something that I have never done before and I expected it to be pretty difficult but I actually managed to catch a few fish! The fishing rods we used were a long cane of bamboo with fishing line secured at the top and a hook attached to the end of it. It was simple but very effective. The fish we were fishing for were ニジマス or 'rainbow trout'. They fortunately weren't too big but they were very tasty! The staff salted and roasted the fish for us and we ate them there and then. I have never eaten such fresh fish! I would really recommend you go fishing with friends if you get the chance; it was fun and relaxing to be outdoors and active.
Today was the day our Kindergarten held their graduation for the "Nencho" students.
It was a pleasure to work with the kids over the last three years.
Good luck in elementary school!!
Today was Junior High graduation. Attendance was quite limited due to COVID safeguards, but it was streamed online. So great to see all the kids in their big moment. You can actually see their faces much better watching remotely! That was very nice.
Seiritsu Gakuen is a private co-educational high school created in 1925 and it is located in Tokyo, Japan.