Learning about cultures is important as it helps increase global understanding and friendship

During the first week of the July holidays the Japanese students volunteered to share aspects of our culture with room 4 at Highfield Primary School.

We were welcomed by the students and their teacher, Miss Stewart. I was so surprised as some of the students remembered me from last year’s visit!

After introductions, each Japanese student sat with a small group of room 4 students and taught them how to make a crane (orizuru) and a samurai hat (kabuto).

We taught Japanese words such as Konnichiwa (good day) and Arigatou (thank you) andsayonara (goodbye).

I was impressed that room 4 students knew greetings from other countries and I enjoyed sharing Japanese language and origami with them.

We enjoyed communicating with little Kiwi students and I was pleased that all of them were interested in our culture. It was a great opportunity also for us to realise the good points of our culture.

Ayano Shiroshima, Cultural Leader