Children from MIS and the three New Zealand schools before their tea ceremony held in Kaihin Makuhari Park. MAKUHARI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Last month, Makuhari International School (MIS) was delighted to accept a visit from over 20 children from New Zealand as they took part in an International Exchange Day. The children and their teachers, from three schools in New Zealand, spent a few days with Shibuya Makuhari Junior High School.
MIS staff organized an interesting and varied program for their new friends. This included a presentation in the school hall from both sets of children. The children from MIS talked in detail about life in Japan and Makuhari in particular, and especially about the recent events of March 11. It was fitting that they were then able to hear alternative views on what happened in Christchurch, New Zealand at the time of their recent large quake. The children were soon discussing both events in great detail.
MIS children were also lucky to witness the famous Haka dance from their new friends.
Students sang the school song and then gave the guests tours of the school, while getting to know their new friends. The children went to the local park together where they took part in a tea ceremony and had a fun Japanese lesson from one of the MIS elementary school Japanese Studies teachers, after which there was time to play rugby on the recently expanded school field.
Staff felt that the International Exchange Day proved to be a real success, and look forward to building on it when Makuhari children go to New Zealand in the future. — PAUL ROGERS
