Our Year 7 and 8 Japanese students have been busy learning about the Japanese festival/national holiday called Children's Day, also known as kodomo no hi. Our students were excited to learn about this tradition and participate in some hands-on activities.

Our Year 7 and 8 Japanese students have been busy learning about the Japanese festival/national holiday called Children's Day, also known as kodomo no hi. Our students were excited to learn about this tradition and participate in some hands-on activities.

Children's Day is one of the most important national holidays in Japan. It is celebrated on May 5th every year and is a day to honour and celebrate the health and happiness of children.

The festival originated from an ancient Chinese tradition where people would hang up silk kites in the shape of carp fish to celebrate the birth of a son. Over time, this tradition evolved into a festival that celebrates the well-being of all children.

During the festival, families with boys often display samurai helmets, or kabuto, and carp streamers, or koinobori, outside their homes. The kabuto symbolizes strength and bravery, while the koinobori represents the courage and determination of the carp, which is said to swim upstream against strong currents. Our students had the opportunity to make their own samurai helmets, and carp decorations.

In addition to these displays, families often enjoy traditional Japanese foods such as mochi rice cakes and sweet rice dumplings called kashiwa-mochi. It is also customary for families to take a bath filled with iris leaves, which is believed to promote good health and ward off evil spirits.

Our Year 7 and 8 students were able to gain a deeper understanding of how Children's Day is a joyous and colourful festival that celebrates the health and happiness of children in Japan. They appreciated that it is an important part of Japanese culture and traditions, and a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and celebrate their children.

In addition, we would like to wish good luck to our Year 12 students who are going into their HSC trials. We believe in their abilities and know that they will excel in all their endeavours.