Trinity Catholic College Principal Gaye McManus recently welcomed seven Shibetsu high school students and teacher Fukuwawa Sensei to spend the day as Trinity students.   

The day began with a senior Hospitality class led by school chef, Dane Sara, followed by an Agricultural class introducing the guests to a range of local Goulburn stock and the College’s lupin, oats and soil nitrogen trial.

Trinity’s Japanese cultural appreciation group, Animanga Club, provided morning tea as the students discussed topics such as JPop, Cosplay and manga in a mixture of Japanese and English.

Students participated in games and sports before undertaking a junior geography class where Trinity students talked about the Rainbow Serpent and the Shibetsu visitors reciprocated by sharing the art of origami cranes.

The junior Geography students welcomed the students and Sensei in Japanese and displayed the Fuji-san artworks they had created to honour their guests.

The Year 11 school leaders held lunch before holding a Drama activity where the class presented aspects of Gothic Theatre to the visitors, who then participated in Gothic tableaux.

The day’s final activity was the planting of a rosebush to commemorate the Shibetsu visit.

“Thank you to Shibetsu city for sending our visitors to us and a great big thank you to our student visitors,” said Principal Gaye MacManus.

Due to their strong interest in promoting cross-cultural experiences, Trinity College is hoping to send a number of students on the Council-sponsored trip to Japan in 2019.