On Wednesday 20 March, the Japanese International students who are here learning English, went on an English Language excursion to Sumner.

Along the way they stopped to pay tribute to the bravery of the local Muslim antique dealer in Redcliffs, who chased the shooter at the Linwood Mosque. This was a very sobering reality for us. Yet the messages of love and support uplifted the students, who were moved by the kindness and aroha of local Cantabrians.

We ordered fish and chips and took these to Scarborough Park and enjoyed eating them beside the sea. Afterwards we climbed Cave Rock, walked through it and took many photos. Writing a message in the sand was one of the creative activities of the day. For students who do not live beside the sea, such as these young people who live in the middle of Japan’s main island, this was a superb day, where they created memories to be treasured. This trip formed the basis to a recount writing activity where they had to show they could use the past tense. All round, a super day, followed up with hard work.