Chateau School diplomats start their day with practical life activities on their first day back before discovering the world of Asia. Diplomats (l to r): Kosaku Nitta, Masaichi Maehara, Lotea Camus, Apple Hutt, Comeru Yaginuma; ambassadors (l to r): Diana Motyovszki, Robin Furlong. CHATEAU SCHOOL
Chateau School had a festive week of winter camp during December. New diplomats from other schools were invited to discover the various winter holidays celebrated by different cultures. Diplomats explored the world through cooking and cultural workshops.
January began with an overview of Asia linked to academic activities. The school’s curriculum focused on comparative cultural studies of various countries, and their regions and ethnic groups. With the start of the New Year, taiko and koto music welcomed diplomats back on their first day of school. The children continued their day with a walking tour of the Meiji Shrine. At the shrine, they participated in the Japanese rituals for blessing the New Year; this year is the year of the dragon.
Cultural journeys to Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Burma were experienced using the diplomats’ five senses. Through academic enrichment activities, the cultural norms and lives of the inhabitants of each country were studied. During the comparative cultural activities, they discovered interesting similarities in weaving and differences in the strokes of letters during calligraphy.
Regional flower arrangements were experimented with, using each regions’ precious colours. Diplomats also tried different styles of flower arrangement, from ikebana to Vietnamese flower arrangement, to welcome the New Year.
February’s theme is scheduled to be China. Diplomats will have a special cultural excursion to celebrate Chinese New Year in Yokohama’s Chinatown. The field trip will include a visit to a Chinese temple, a savoury dim-sum lunch, and attendance at a dragon dance performance and New Year’s parade. The day will end with a visit to the Chinese market. We will shop for ancient ingredients and spices, and continue the journey to China back at the Chateau School. The diplomats will have the opportunity to use their culinary skills in experimenting with Chinese cuisine.
The week starting February 6 will focus on “Diplomat’s Health Development,” looking at Chinese natural herbs, physical therapy, tea ceremony, and a spiritual study of the moon and the human body. The last day of that week is global “Foot Day.” Chateau School will be inviting a health development brand, SWISSIES, to offer foot counselling, foot printing, and exercise workshops. Diplomats will also receive a pair of shoes to monitor their comfort.
Keio University is offering workshops that feature a sample of Chateau School’s curriculum and programs on February 25 and 26. Over 3,000 children are expected to attend.
Other news: Chateau Salon, a weekend workshop and party rental space division of Chateau Bon Bon in Omotesando, will be offering a special Valentine’s weekend on February 11 by FAFA x Chateau Bon Bon. The workshop and party are open to the public. RSVP at http://www.chateaubonbon.com.
And finally, Chateau School is searching for a highly motivated international educator. Resumes should be sent to [email protected], Attention: “Customs.” — DIANA MOTRYOVSZKI
