Visit to Japan - 2007

Twenty-four pupils and three members of staff (Mr Thompson, Ms Revie and Dr Vorley) returned on 2nd November from a successful 12-day visit to KLB’s partner school, Hikawa High School.

All stayed with Japanese host families in and around the city of Yamanashi, just to the north of Mt Fuji. Pupils took part in a range of activities during their time in school – visiting different lessons and clubs, learning how to play the koto and shamisen, and trying traditional Japanese arts from judo to flower-arranging – as well as receiving instruction in Japanese every morning.

A group of sixth-formers talked about life in England to pupils at a local primary school. We also visited Lake Kawaguchi, spent time shopping and sight-seeing in Tokyo and sang over two hours of karaoke on the final night, before coming back to England laden with souvenirs.

Next year will mark the tenth anniversary of the exchange and we are looking forward to hosting a group from Hikawa between Wednesday 12th and Friday 21st March. We are already looking for host families to help entertain over twenty pupils and teachers.

We envisage that our return visit to Japan will again take place at the end of October and will be open to pupils in years 10 and above. This year’s participants will be talking about their experiences at an information evening later this term, which those interested in finding out more about hosting or visiting Japan should attend. In the meantime, should you have any questions about the exchange, please contact Mr Thompson at school (dthompson@klbschool.org.uk).

Mr David Thompson
Teacher of Japanese
Katharine Lady Berkeley's School