Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

This week, our College hosted visiting students and teachers from Higashi Handa High School. Thank you to Mrs Vanessa Gray, Mr Dale Hastings and Mrs Jessica Hulbert for organising the visit and host families. Below is a report by Mrs Gray. 

Higashi Handa High School Visit

It was a privilege and honour to host 10 students and two teachers from our sister city, Handa, Japan, over the past week. The cultural exchange was a resounding success, and the bond between our communities has grown even stronger.

The warm welcome began with a quintessentially Australian barbecue at McInherney Park, where laughter and camaraderie set the tone for the days ahead. Our Japanese guests were pleased to meet and be welcomed by our esteemed town mayor.

Throughout their stay, the Japanese students enthusiastically embraced the local lifestyle, from patting cuddly koalas to painting rocks. Safety and awareness were also key aspects of their visit. Local lifeguards imparted essential knowledge about rips, tides, and swim safety in the Australian coastal environment. It was a valuable lesson that enriched their cultural exchange with practical insights into our way of life.

Of course, no Aussie experience is complete without a game of beach cricket, indulging in the irresistible delight of Tim Tams and savouring the sweetness of Caramello Koalas. These shared moments of joy and laughter further strengthened the bonds of friendship between our communities.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the Gleeson, Towey, Keogh, McDonnell, and McDonald families, whose extraordinary generosity opened their homes to our Japanese guests. Your warmth and hospitality showcased the true spirit of our Australian way of life and made this cultural exchange a memorable success.

As we bid farewell to our friends from Handa, let's cherish the memories created and look forward to fostering even deeper connections between our communities in the future.

Vanessa Gray
Japanese Teacher/Organiser

Elevate Study Seminar

Year 11 & Year 12 students have participated in study sessions run by Elevate Education. The high-impact seminars help students improve their study techniques, increase motivation, build confidence, and lift exam performance. Elevate’s study skills seminars are designed to achieve behavioural change amongst students. It isn’t enough for students to simply understand what they need to do in their studies.

Parents are invited to attend the FREE webinars hosted by Elevate Education. These webinars will show you, as parents, how to best support your child through school.

For more details, please visit their website: https://go.elevateeducation.com/auparentwebinars