Tamadai Hijirigaoka Junior High School sent a large group of students to the Bay of Plenty for ten days. We had 18 students attend Katikati College to experience our kiwi culture. A huge thank you to our community for welcoming our Japanese friends but in particular a huge thank you to:

Jonte Rose, Torsten Stone, Luca Borrett, Mitchell Preston, Felix Denyer, Ben Lewis, James Gordon, Jade Sansom, Coby Taylor, Anthea Bowden, Kyla Allen-Boyd, Emma Morton, Polata Mohuku, Heleina Jones, Shania Tawhiti.

These students certainly displayed our MARK values creating a very special experience for our friends.  Thank you also to all our wonderful host families for opening their doors. Without you these experiences could not take place.

(Simon Finnimore, Deputy Principal. Head of International Department)

Here's what 2 of our buddies had to say:

Recently some of the year 10s were chosen to help some students from Japan learn Englishand experience life in New Zealand. We began the week by hosting a Powhiri for them wherewe performed some waiata and they sung us a song. 

Next, we got to know each other whileshowing them around the school. The rest of the week was them coming with us to all ourclasses and pathways. On Friday the Japanese students went to Waimarino and it sounded like they had a blast!

One of our favorite days with them was athletics day. We loved  spending the whole day talking and seeing their sporting abilities. They were all amazing. They all tried their absolute best and some even got placings! The next morning was very sad, one being their last day. We took some photos, and we said our final goodbyes before they left in the morning. This was an experience that we enjoyed just as much as we hoped they did. We miss our buddies so much and hope they are happy to be home. We learnt so much from them about their culture and the way that they live their lives. Overall, it was truly an amazing experience.

Mitchell and Kyla (year 10 students)