Languages
It has been a busy time for the Languages Area with various activities occurring recently. A group of OLMC students and staff recently returned from a successful Japan Tour where the group visited our sister school, Seirei Gakuen High School. Back at home, the Year 10 Japanese students participated in an excursion to Monash University to learn about using the Japanese language and the Year 8 French students enjoyed a West African drumming performance.
Japan Study Tour 2026
On Thursday 9 April 2026, eighteen OLMC senior Japanese students joined three students from Sacred Heart College and four teachers for an unforgettable study tour across Japan. Over seventeen days, we travelled through Tokyo, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Akita, gaining first-hand experience of Japan’s culture, traditions and daily life. Throughout the journey, we practised our Japanese language skills, explored famous landmarks and enjoyed a wide variety of traditional foods and local experiences.
The first part of the tour was spent together as a group in Tokyo and Kyoto. In Tokyo, we explored many well-known attractions, including Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Skytree, Akihabara, Harajuku and the iconic Shibuya Crossing. Our days were packed with sightseeing, shopping and discovering the energy of the city. Seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom was especially memorable, adding colour and beauty to the busy streets. Tokyo’s vibrant atmosphere, particularly the bright lights, made a lasting impression on all of us.
Following Tokyo, we travelled to Miyajima Island where we stayed overnight in a traditional Japanese ryokan. This experience allowed us to immerse ourselves in Japanese customs, from wearing yukata robes to sleeping on futons and enjoying authentic Japanese cuisine. Whilst on Miyajima Island, we explored Itsukushima Shrine and enjoyed the island’s beautiful scenery.
On our way to Kyoto, we stopped in Hiroshima and visited the Peace Memorial Museum. Learning about the devastating impact of nuclear warfare was both emotional and thought-provoking, and it encouraged us to reflect on the importance of peace.
During our time in Kyoto, we visited a range of historic temples and shrines, including Kinkakuji, the famous Golden Pavilion and the Kiyomizu-dera temple. The stunning scenery and traditional architecture highlighted Japan’s rich cultural heritage. We also visited Nara, where we saw the famous deer roaming freely through the park and explored Todaiji Temple, home to the impressive Great Buddha statue.
While staying in Akita, we were given the chance to experience everyday Japanese life through our homestays and time at Seirei Gakuen High School. The students welcomed us warmly, which helped ease our nerves about meeting our host sisters for the first time. Living with our host sisters allowed us to learn more about Japanese culture and daily routines in a way none of us had ever experienced. During our time at school, we attended classes such as music and politics and joined club activities. We also took part in cultural activities, including a tea ceremony and a calligraphy class. Outside of school, a highlight among some of the students was travelling to Kakunodate with their host families, where they wore traditional kimonos and explored the beautiful historic samurai neighbourhood. By the end of our time in Akita, we had created meaningful friendships and unforgettable memories with both our host families and the students at Seirei High School.
Our exchange tour in Japan was filled with fun, laughter and many new memories. Over the course of the tour, we learnt so much about Japanese culture and improved on our Japanese speaking skills, while also creating strong friendships that we will always remember. We would especially like to thank Stavretis Sensei, Durant Sensei, Thomson Sensei and Conroy Sensei (from Sacred Heart College) for supporting us throughout the exchange and helping make the tour such a memorable experience. This opportunity has helped us grow in confidence and further develop our Japanese skills, and it is an experience we will cherish for many years to come.
Isabelle D (11M5), Ineka D (11A6), Isabella L (11C1)
Year 8 French Drumming Incursion
The French Drumming incursion was an interactive and highly energetic experience for all Year 8s studying French. We learnt about the history of West Africa and their culture as well as learning how to play the Djembe (West African drum). We also did cultural dances to traditional West African music.
At first, we were all hesitant but after a while we saw how much fun the ensemble and others were having and decided to join in. Even our teachers were enjoying it and dancing along. We were all given a Djembe to play along with the dun dun (base drum) which was being played by Mohummad and Simon. Whilst we were playing a song, Mitzi showed us the dance moves and got everybody involved. Overall, it was a super engaging and fun incursion.
Zoe G 8G
Year 10 Japanese Excursion to Monash University
One of the most memorable experiences of Year 10 Japanese has been the Mirai (‘Future’) event, held at Monash University Clayton campus on Friday 13 March. The day was jam-packed with interactive activities and thought-provoking tips and possibilities regarding the learning of Japanese.
Firstly, we had the privilege of experiencing the talented Wadaiko Rindo drumming ensemble perform traditional Japanese Taiko drumming, which beautifully set the tone for the event.
We were then introduced to several in-country opportunities in Japan, along with accessible ways to pursue them. In particular, we looked into how to study Japanese, high school exchange, working holidays, and university semester exchanges. The presentation was engaging, informative, and inspiring.
During the day, all schools participated in several kahoots, which consisted of questions about Japan and the various topics discussed. Two students per school competed against each other for an assortment of prizes. Many bags consisting of tasty authentic Japanese snacks were given out to many schools, and we were lucky to be one of the winning schools.
After the event we filled our stomachs with a delicious obento meal. We were given the choice between a vegetarian or non-vegetarian meal, providing options to suit all tastes. Enjoying flavoursome bentos with friends easily became one of our favourite memories from the day.
Overall, the day was highly informative and educational, offering an array of Japanese language tips and opportunities. This seminar was a great way to learn more about the Japanese language and how we can apply it now and in the future. It was a worthwhile experience and we would highly recommend it to others.
Alessia S (10A4) and Olivia B (10L5)
James Stavretis
Languages Learning Leader
