Momoka Kanai has been an outstanding student during her time at Roncalli, getting involved in many aspects of College life, we are pleased to highlight Momoka in today's newsletter.

Hi, I am Momoka Kanai and I am an international student from Japan. My Japanese school is Ikubunkan Global High School in Tokyo, Japan and there are 374 students. But there are 1539 students in all three schools at Ikubunkan (Junior High School, High School and Global High School)!

All of my year classmates have to study abroad for one year without any tools to contact our Japanese friends and family such as iphone. So I can’t communicate with my family and my friends by social media or phone. But I can send a letter, so I always write to my family! Ikubunkan has strict school rules and for the study abroad programme, the rules are more strict. But we know if we follow the rules, we will develop independence and autonomy. These things are really important for “Global Person”. What I learn at Ikubunkan will continue to be important as long as I live.

I will leave Timaru on October 6th but I will not get back to Japan till December 7th. That is because I will visit Auckland, Malaysia, the Philippines(Cebu) and Singapore to study at some universities and to study for the IELTS exam.

My New Zealand school, Roncalli College, was decided in August last year. I chose New Zealand so I could do Kapa Haka as I was doing this when I was in Japan. I want to learn authentic Kapa Haka to be a Haka Leader when I return to Ikubunkan Global High School. I am a member of Aoraki Kapa Haka Group. I am the only student from Roncalli College but the other students are very kind to me so I’m really enjoying it now! From 19 June, we started to practice with other schools for the competition. Of course that is very hard, more so than before, but I’m trying!

I enjoy my classes at Roncalli College. Classes can be really hard to understand sometimes because I think my English is still not good. My friends always try to help me understand so it’s really fun to take class with my Kiwi friends. And school Ball is coming soon! Usually there is nothing like a school Ball in Japan although Ikubunkan Global High School does have a Ball. But the Roncalli College Ball will be my first one so I’m really excited!

In Roncalli College, there are lots of International students. I think this is a really good opportunity for Kiwi students to learn about the cultures of other countries. To talk with Kiwi students is also a good thing for international students. So please say hi and let’s talk and communicate more! 

Footnote from the editor: We are very proud of Momoka for taking the opportunity to join the combined Kapa Haka group with Timaru Girls High School. All female students are welcome and encouraged to join this group.  Ka pai tō mahi Momoka!