Last Wednesday, Tauriko School hosted a group of 68 students, and 10 adults, from Shohei Junior High School in Japan.

They were greeted on arrival with a warm welcome from our Year 3 and 4 classes who performed 3 waiata, including the National Anthem, Haere Mai and the action song, Tutira Mai Nga Iwi. Our visitors responded with a Japanese dance before they started sharing their cultural activities with our students. In total, approximately 210 students participated in this cultural sharing, and there was a real buzz of conversation and laughter.

Lunchtime was an opportunity to mix and mingle and share our wonderful school and environment. Before our visitors left we gathered in the PAC to watch their dance, and 20 Tauriko School students were chosen to join them. To return the favour there was a whole school Jump Jam item, which was warmly received.

The whakatauki for the day was “Whiria te tangata – weave the people together,” and photos from the day will show how successful this was.

“On Wednesday 13th May, Tauriko School was visited by Japanese high school students.
They arrived at the school by two big buses. They were at our school until after lunch time.
We met them at the PAC where they were getting ready for the activities.
We made paper swans, a love heart and a paper ball. ( which took about 12 papers!)
Also, we did a string game which is known as “cat’s cradle.”
From that we learned lots and lots about the Japanese culture.” 
 Soyul

“Last week, Japanese people came to our school and visited us. My teacher, Miss M, thought I could be in the Kapa Haka group. We were practicing the songs and dances a lot. On Wednesday, I wore the Kapa Haka uniform. It was pretty. I was a bit embarrassed. I still remember the words and actions. “
Zoe

“I wore the Kapa Haka uniform because I was dancing to many Japanese people. I was so impressed and it was fun.
They sang a song and danced to us.
I made a bird and played with the Japanese people in the playground.”
Irene

“There were so many activities to do and they were all fun. Me and Sophie are fast doing chopsticks, but I am always doing chopsticks and it is so easy for me. Sophie is good at doing chopsticks too.
Next we did Japanese writing (my name, sun and good morning) Next we made a face. This is a funny game.
We also did string games. We made a brush shape. This was my favourite activity. Time is out so I am sad. This is my special day.”
Lilly

“I liked Kendama but it is hard. Kendama is catching a ball in a cup. It is funny.” 
Tom

“I am good at drawing. I drew a boy. I drew together with Alice. I drew a name pictures.
I am playing chopsticks. It was too easy. I play helping hands with Alice. I fed her chocolate.”
Sunny

“I drew a Pokemon. I did helping hands with Sunny. I was in the back. I could not see. I had to feed a chocolate bar to Sunny” 
Alice

“I am making a paper bird.”     
“ I am making a face. I can’t see. I like this game. It was fun.” 
Jenny       

“Last week I went to the Japanese Cultural Day. The first activity I did was using chopsticks. We had a race and I beat the Japanese visitors because I use chopsticks at home. I am from Japan too. I said hello (konichiwa) to the teacher and to Mrs Palfrey. 
Nina

“My hands are behind my back. These are not my hands. The boy behind me can’t see anything. I am eating M&M’s. He is drawing an apple. It was fun.” 
Ege

“We sang the National Anthem to the Japanese people. I made “The bridge” with string. We are writing our name in Japanese”
Louis

“I was making a broom with string. After that, we wrote our names in Japanese with a pencil. It was kind of hard for me.” 
Alvin