Flight Home

We are arriving on a Qantas domestic flight from Sydney at 2pm. Please dont wait for us at the international arrival gates. We clear customs in Sydney.

Robyn and Brad

Day 13

Today we took the day off school to visit Osaka castle. We met at school at 8:30am to board the bus. Chelsea Mullens had the day off to so she could come along. The bus trip took around an hour. Some people talked the whole way, while others slept. Almost everyone who chose to sleep was in danger of having their photo taken by Mr. Rankin.
We arrived in Osaka half an hour before our ferry ride, so we had some time to relax, eat or get some money from the ATM if we had run out. After that we boarded the ferry and took a trip up the river and back. There apparantly carp in the river that were over 1m long. But no matter how hard I looked, I did not see any. The ferry was a nice cool way to do some sight-seeing, as it was a really hot day.
After we hopped off the ferry, we walked through a beautiful park to find a shady spot to eat lunch. Even in the shade it was hot. Most people bought cold drinks and ice-cream before heading to the castle.
The five storied castle, with its gold towers was very beautiful and was surrounded by a huge moat. When we entered the castle, we were able to look around on our own. The top story gave a magnificant view of the city and there was also a nice breeze up there.
To get back to the ground floor, we had to use the stairs, and there 200 (I counted).
When we left the castle, primary school students who were on an excursion were waving to us. So a few of us gave them some koala toys. They immediately started jumping around and so we took some photos with them to make them even happier.
At about 2pm we got back on the bus to meet our host brothers or sisters at school. When we arrived back we split up into different things. Some people went to club activities or to their homes.
Myself and a few other people went to a shopping mall to get photos taken in the photo booths. It was so much fun. But of course the boys all got hungry so we left the photo booths to go and eat tea at the food court. We talked, laughed and ate until about 7:30pm when we walked back to the train station to go home. I was extremely tired when I got home so after a bit of time with my host family I climbed into bed in Japan for the second last time!

By: Cate Rushan

A Plea to parents

Dear parents,

The students are missing your daily messages. If you felt like sending them just one more before they leave to come home, we know they would be thrilled.

Best wishes,

Robyn and Brad

Day 12

After another late night with my host family it was time for our third day at Gojo High School. Today I had classes, such as home economics (which is different because we don`t do it at Girton); English which is always fun helping out with the other students and double Japanese, which is Gojos version of our English class.
The classes that I had were fun today but every subject in my class is fun because our class is meant to be the most `genki` (active) in the year level. After these four classes it was time for lunch. Every day for lunch our host mothers have packed `obentoos` (lunch boxes) with such things as rice, meat and noodles.
After lunch the Girton students went to the music room to practice our item for the farewell assembly. We did this while the Gojo students chose subjects for next year. After perfecting our dance movements and music, we went to the tea ceremony club. We had to kneel on tatami mats and then we were served with sweets and green tea. All in a traditional manner. While some people liked it straight away, for others it may be more of an acquired taste. When the ceremony was over, it was home time yet again.
Tonight my host family and I drove to nearby Osaka and drove up a mountain, recognised for having one of the best night views in Japan. I thought it was a better view than Tokyo Tower. We headed home and I was asked if I was hungry. I knew if I said yes, I would end up with a mountain of food in front of me. But I also knew if I said no, I would also end up with a mountain of food infront of me. So I said yes.
Sure enough, we pulled into the nearest McDonalds and bought tea there. Maccas was a night treat, as it was different to the food of the past twelve days.
Today was one of the more relaxing days of the trip and I really enjoyed it. I am sure everyone else did as well.

By: Josh Reed


Pictures to come

Day 11

Today was the day that we visited the Mayor. We had told our host families that we had to be at school by 8:20 instead of 8:30, yet they brought us in at 8:00. We all piled into the bus and headed to the Mayor`s office. When we got there, we took some pictures out the front and then went inside. So of our height gifted people, found out how much it hurts hitting your head on a Japanese doorway, as they aren`t built for people of that stature.
We were ushered into the room and sat down in some comfortable leather arm chairs, which swivelled. These seem quite a rarety in Japan. Full marks to the Mayor for reading his speech in English.
We then ate Gojo`s famous fruit, the persimon. Some enjoyed it, others didn`t. After visiting the Mayor, we went by bus and met Mr. Hyono`s mother, who owns an old traditional Japanese home with a beautiful garden. We then went for a walk along the river and were shown their 3,000 year old method of catching fish (much easier than using a fishing rod). We also walked along the oldest street in Gojo.
Then we headed back to school for the rest of the days classes.
After school, some of us decided to participate in club activities. Matt A., Reedy and I decided to do basketball club, which seemed to gather a crowd. All the Gojo girls think that Matt is cute. Basketball was lots of fun, and a great experience because it is not everyday you get to play with people on the other side of the world. Occassionally at basketball they have drink breaks. Matt, Reedy and I had not brought drink bottles, so they gave us a cup. At first we thought it was muddy water, but as we tasted it, we found out it was cold tea.

By: Caleb Higgs



The Gojo High School website is being constantly updated with more news and pictures about us. Here is an updated picture on which links to click on to see the many photos of your children. The website for the Gojo High School homepage is:

http://www.gojo-h.ed.jp/

Photos to come

Day 10

We arrived at Gojo High School at 8:30 with our host students, feeling nervous and excited. We are tired because most students go to bed much later than Australian students because they are very hard workers. Students travel to school by car, bus, bike, scooter and walking is very popular. We made our way to the shoe lockers / boxes and changed our outside shoes for inside shoes. The school is very neat and clean. Our host students took us to our special Girton Staff Room. The host students then left for assembly. The Girton students then attended a brief meeting for the protocols and speeches which would be made at the welcome assembly.

The assembly was held in the gym. We sat on stage with Mrs. MacCulloch and Mr. Rankin. The Gojo students were in class order with girls at the back and the boys at the front. Speeches were made by the Principal, Mr. Horiuchi, and Mr. Morikawa and Mr. Matsuda. Mrs. MacCulloch`s speech was translated by Mitchell Barker, and he did an excellent job. You can see him on the Gojo Homepage. Caleb`s speech was translated by Courtney Stewart, and both of them did Girton proud.

Gifts were presented to Gojo High School by Mrs. MacCulloch and Gojo High School presented bouquets in return. A welcome face in the assembly was Chelsea Mullens, a Girton student on a year exchange to Gojo High School. She remains as high spirited and as cheerful as always.

After assembly we went to classes, some with our host students, some not. Most classes were difficult to understand, but some were not. There are six periods of teaching every day, but some students in special advanced classes have seven. Periods run for 45 mintutes each and at 12:45 we have 45 minutes for lunch. Our host mothers all appear to have spent many hours preparing the most beautiful lunches for us to enjoy. Most of us are having to learn the `I am full` sentence in Japanese, as they take great delight on feeding us, especially after a third helping of curry (Matt Campbell`s family).

Gojo High School finishes at 3:30. After the final class for the day, the students have home room, then they clean and tidy their rooms or an assigned area of the school. Every student has an assigned job.

Club activities can then take place, before or after school and even on weekends, depending on the activity. Many students do not finish their school day until 6:00pm. The Japanese school day is a long one, but enjoyable to experience.

By: Madeline Hellsten

Official Group Photograph

More Photos to come

Day 9

After waking up in several different environments throughout the trip, rising out of bed to another one was nothing new. I was fortunate enough to have a tatami room to myself which was probably the same size as the one I shared with four others in Tokyo.
After coming to the realisation that I was lying on the bottom floor of my host families house, I began to feel slightly nervous at the prospect of the day ahead, thinking `Should I already be up? Do I have a bath in the morning, or is it evenings only?` Desperately trying to recall information from various meetings and our booklet, I decided to get up.
Finding that only my host parents were up, I was instantly bombarded with questions concerning my well-being quote "Did you sleep well? Would you like some breakfast? What would you like to do today?"
After we had eaten and my host brothers and sisters were up, we began to `discuss` the days planned events. More accurately, tried to translate and work out what anyone wanted to do. As I had no idea what there was to do in Nara, and the family insisted that I choose an activity. We eventually decided to visit Nara Park to see the Daibutsu (Giant Statue of Buddha). Hopefully, Mr. Rankin will be able to put up some photos of the day, because it was an epic sight, and the deer chasing Naho (my host) was hilarious.
After dinner, I tried to explain to the family some of Australia`s differences from Japan. I was able to successfully explain how kangaroos can cause car crashes and why barbeques are so highly renowned. By the end of the day, I was exhaused. This is only one account of an experience with a host family, and upon reuniting with other Girton students, their days were varied to mine.

By: Tom Faulkner.

Vice Principal Uemura, Vice Principal Hyono, Mrs. MacCulloch, Mr. Morikawa (English Teacher) and Mr. Matsuda (English Teacher)

Mr. Matsuda and Mr. Rankin in front of the Giant Buddha Shrine. This is the largest wooden structure in the world.

The main entrance into the Giant Buddha Shrine.

Amy and her host family (Fukuda family) with Mrs. MacCulloch. We bumped into them at the temple

The Giant Buddha

The statue of Kokubosatsuzo. A guard for the Giant Buddha

Another guard statue.

Amy squeezing through a hole cut into one of the pylons. It is only just big enough to squeeze through. If you can pass through, it is supposed to bring you good luck.

Mr. Rankin only just managed to squeeze through. It was very scary

The beautiful lawn and gardens of the Giant Buddha Shrine.

One of the hundreds of deer in Nara Park.

One of the stone monuments lining the paths at Nara Park.

Mr. Matsuda and Mr. Morikawa.

Day 8

After getting up at 9:00am (this was considered a sleep in) we were off to the train station to catch a bus to Kiomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto. Dating back to 1633, the Kiyomizu Dera is a buddhist temple and is considered one of the most famous landmarks in Kyoto. The temple is dedicated to the God of Mercy, and offers many opportunities to pray, think and relax. The temple also hosts a breathtaking panoramic view of Kyoto.

After exploring the temple and doing a little shopping we took a bus back to the hotel and collected our luggage. We then walked for 3km, which was actually 300m (maybe my whinging the entire way made it seem a lot longer) with our suitcases to our platform. It was at the station I discovered (for the second time) that escalators aren`t really my thing when I have a suitcase. I almost fell down it with my luggage, luckily Mr. Rankin was able to hold me up.
Fifteen students, two teachers and all their luggage = chaos on a local train. We defied all odds whilst taking up half a carriage and receiving a few frustrated looks from fellow commuters.

It was finally time to meet our host families, and the nerves and excitement were obvious. We were greeted by Mr. Morikawa and Mr. Okamoto at the train station and bussed to Gojo. An unusually for us, it was raining, which lasted for more than a day. Our host families were waiting anxiously to meet us.

Upon our arrival at Gojo High School we were invited to a welcome ceremony. Speeches were made as we were welcomed formally to the school.

Everyone then departed the school and headed to their host student`s house for a week of laughs, fun and friendship.

By: Rhylee Elliott.

On Gojo Senior High School`s website, they have photos of our welcome ceremony with the host families. See the picture below and click the writing beside the red arrow to access this page. The website is:

http://www.gojo-h.ed.jp/

At Kiyomizu Temple.

Mitchell, Tom and Courtney infront of a pagoda.

The view across the small valley between one side of the temple and the other.

Looking back towards the main building.

One of the many memorial statues around the temple.

Another one of the statues. This one was guarding a smaller temple.

Cate getting water from the temple to promote long life.

Looking for donations outside the temple.

Packed into the local train headed for Gojo.

Day 7

The day began at 9.00am with us checking out of our hotel and leaving Hiroshima. We boarded a bullet train and set off for Kyoto. Despite not getting up long ago, many of us managed to sleep the entire trip! On our second train we were all surprised to find Risa, an exchange student who had just left Girton at the end of Term 3, waiting for us on the train. Once in Kyoto we were able to check into our hotel, which was also western style. Our rooms this time were even smaller than the ones in Hiroshima and our bathrooms were like those you would find in an aeroplane. Once again, we all bought lunch at a convenience store and then set off for Kinkakyi temple. It has three floors and the exterior is coated in gold leaf – it looks amazing. The gardens surrounding the temple were beautiful. The temple was originally the home of Yoshimitsu, the 3rd Shogun of Ashikaya and after his death it was made into a Zen temple in accordance with his will. Our next stop was Ryoanji temple and the rock garden. It is quiet and peaceful and it is said that it is p to the viewers to find out what the garden signifies for them. Although many of us did not work this out, it was still beautiful in a different way. For dinner that night we booked into a Japanese style restaurant – a private room just for us with tatami mats where we sat on cushions around two long low tables. It is a restaurant which offers every possible type of Japanese food. We ate everything from sushi, tempura, tofu, dumplings, salad, meat skewers, rice, noodles, raw fish and fish eggs. Some people even tried eating horse, however Mr Rankin didn`t tell them it was horse until after they had eaten it! Following dinner we were joined by Risa`s mother and sister. We traveled into Gion hoping we would see a Geisha. The first Geisha we saw was in a taxi which Mr Rankin decided to chase after in order to get a photo. Ashe was running the other way another Geisha walked straight past where we were standing. Mr Rankin then returned panting, with his taxi shot. In the meantime the rest of us had secured a photo without the frantic 100 metre sprint!! It may have been getting late, however many of us were not ready to go to bed. 13 of us, including Risa, her Mum and sister and Mr Rankin, decided to do Karaoke. All of us had a sing and even a dance with a mixture of both English and Japanese songs, with many ending up with sore throats at the end. Everyone returned to the hotel around midnight, by then beginning to feel both nervous and excited at the prospect of meeting our host families the next day.

By: Sarah Edwards

On the bullet train from Hiroshima bound for Kyoto

In front of the Golden Temple in Kyoto

The Golden Temple

Rhylee made some Junior High School friends.

Everyone enjoying the tranquility of the Ryoanji Garden.

Mitchell, Tom & Matt C. at Ryoanji.

Strolling through the rest of the gardens

Enjoying dinner Japanese style on our last night together as a group at an Izakaya style restaurant.

In Gion in search of Geisha.

Mr. Rankin chased down a taxi with a Geisha in it to get this picture.

And casually talking to Mrs. MacCulloch nearly missed this opportunity.

Mitchell having a go at karaoke

Everyone joined in and had a go. Sarah, Britnee & Maddie

Britnee sharing a song with us.

Courtney and Zac having a go.

Day 6

Today we got up at 7:00 and had a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we caught a train and then a ferry to Miyajima Island. The Island was spectacular with the temples and the statues actually in the water. When we got there, it was high tide and the temple looked beautiful in the ocean. We walked out to the shrine, over the ocean, and explored parts of the island. Many of us tried mango or green tea ice-cream. We went up to the top of Mt. Misen and saw a lot of monkeys and had a beautiful view of the whole island. Matthew Ambler had a fight with a monkey and many people had to wrestle our food and bags off the deer. One of the stag deer ate my brochure about the island.
Some of us walked down the mountain and we had a water fight in the waterfall near the bottom because it was so hot.
We also visited the spot where Mr. Rankin proposed to Mrs. Rankin. Everyone felt very sentimental.
Yui also came on the trip with us today. So the Year 11s and some Year 10s were very excited. That night our group split up for tea, with some of us going to a sushi bar. Maddie, Cate, Mr. Rankin, Matt Campbell, Mitchell, Timandra and I tried some very interesting foods, like shrimp brains, raw squid, sashimi, raw tuna, boiled shrimp, sea urchin, fish eggs, fermented soy beans and pickled plum.
The rest went to Subway or to an Italian cafe. The day was truely an experience for us all.

By: Amy Cumming

Matt C., Caleb & Josh relaxing on the train heading for Miyajima

In front of the famous floating Tori

Zac proposing to Amy on the spot where Mr. Rankin proposed to Mrs. Rankin

Rhylee, Cate, Matt A., Zac, Amy and Yui at Itsukushima Shrine with the five storey pagoda in the background.

Some of the wildlife on the island.

Britnee walked up Mt. Misen and Josh, Caleb, Amy, Matt A. & Mr. Rankin walked down.

A very traditional bridge we had to cross on the way down.

Eating at the sushi restaurant.

Ikura (fish eggs)

Maddie, Amy & Cate with the sushi chef

Everyone pointing to the sushi that they ate.